State Unemployment Benefits in Arizona: when someone dies
A 3-step process for Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) — Unemployment Insurance after a death in Arizona.
Administering agency
Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) — Unemployment Insurance
Authority
A.R.S. §§ 23-771, 23-787
Steps to take
- Report the claimant's death to the DES UI Call Center at 1-877-600-2722 so benefit payments stop.
- Ask DES how to handle any payment already issued — benefits a person is not entitled to are repayable to the department (A.R.S. § 23-787(A)).
- Ask DES whether a final payment is owed for weeks the claimant certified for before death, and what documentation is required. DES does not publish a standing survivor-claim procedure.
Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) — Unemployment Insurance
Phone: 1-877-600-2722
Visit the agency website →Frequently asked questions
The Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) administers unemployment insurance through its Unemployment Insurance Administration. Since September 7, 2025 claimants file and certify through the CACTUS portal at uibenefits.az.gov, and the UI Call Center is reachable at 1-877-600-2722.
Report the death to the DES UI Call Center so payments stop. Arizona pays benefits for a week only if the claimant was able to work and available for work that week (A.R.S. § 23-771(A)), so nothing accrues for weeks after the date of death, and any benefits a person receives without entitlement are repayable to DES (A.R.S. § 23-787(A)). DES publishes no standing survivor-claim procedure, so ask the UI Call Center what it requires for weeks the claimant certified for before death.
Sources
Data sourced from State Unemployment Benefits in Arizona primary sources (4 pages reviewed). How we research.
Administering agency
Arizona Department of Economic Security (DES) — Unemployment Insurance
Authority
A.R.S. §§ 23-771, 23-787