Arizona's unemployment agency offering 'return-to-work' bonuses
PHOENIX - Arizona's unemployment agency is offering "return-to-work" bonuses for a select group of people who applied for benefits during the COVID-19 pandemic.
On Tuesday, July 20, Arizona's Department of Economic Security (DES) said some residents who applied for benefits at a certain time period and meet other qualifications can get up to $2,000.
The qualifications, DES says, are:
- You're an Arizona resident
- Received or filed and were determined eligible for unemployment benefits in Arizona on May 8, 2021 or May 15, 2021; Individuals filing initial unemployment benefit claims after May 15, 2021 are not eligible for the Return-to-Work Bonus, even if filing for weeks prior to Benefit Week Ending May 15, 2021
- Return to the workforce between May 13, 2021 and September 6, 2021 at a qualifying employer and no longer receive unemployment benefits
- Work 320 hours or more over a consecutive ten week period upon returning to work at a qualifying job for a $2,000 bonus OR work 160 hours or more over a consecutive ten week period at a qualifying job for a $1,000 bonus
- Earn $25 per hour or less, equivalent to $52,000 annually, at their qualifying job
- Have not previously received the return-to-work bonus
In order to be eligible for the bonus, residents must return to verifiable employment in Arizona. For employment verification, individuals must provide the following:
- An employer to contact that is not the applicant
- Either a home (if working remotely) or business address within Arizona
- Pay stubs from their employer(s) showing hours worked and amount paid
To check if you're eligible for the bonus and to apply, you can click here.
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