Arizona governor to resume job-seeking requirements for unemployment benefits

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey (R) announced Monday that the state will resume job-seeking requirements for Arizonans on unemployment benefits, saying the state has largely recovered from the recession brought on by COVID-19 restrictions.

Ducey’s office said in a news release that the decision was taken to “support job creators throughout Arizona as employment opportunities grow and the COVID-19 vaccine is available for anyone who wants it.”

“A year out from the start of the pandemic, jobs and vaccines are readily available,” Ducey said in a statement. “Arizonans are ready to get back to work. Our economy is booming, jobs need filling, more than 2 million Arizonans are fully vaccinated, and vaccination appointments are available to anyone who wants one.”

Monday’s executive order rescinds one the governor implemented in March 2020 waiving the requirement for Arizonans on unemployment benefits to prove that they are actively seeking employment in order to obtain the weekly checks.

As part of the now-rescinded order, Arizonans who lost their jobs could apply for benefits the same day; a one-week waiting period was reinstated as part of the governor’s order Monday.

“As President Reagan said, the best social program is a job,” Ducey said. “This statement rings true today. Unemployment benefits are still available to Arizonans who need them, but now that plenty of jobs are available, those receiving the benefits should be actively looking for work.”

Just under a third of Arizona’s total population is fully vaccinated, according to a tracker using state health department data operated by the Springfield News-Leader.