Unemployment claims fall and adjudication backlog shrinks, Commerce officials tell committee

Department of Commerce staff told the Senate Public Health committee that Arkansas’ labor market has continued to recover.

Jim Hudson and Charice Childers reported a July unemployment rate of 4.3%, 47,475 more employed Arkansans than a year earlier, and weekly initial unemployment insurance claims of 1,268 for the week ending Sept. 4 compared with 5,624 in the same week last year. Job postings on the state job board totaled 52,285 and other job‑posting sources reported ranges up to 79,000 positions.

On adjudication, department officials said the backlog peaked at 25,492 in October 2020 and is down to 15,164 (a roughly 40% reduction). Appeals counts have also fallen though thousands remain in the appeals queue (data provided). Officials described employer reporting tools for no‑shows and refusals and said they are conducting job fairs and mobile operations to reconnect jobseekers and employers.

Committee members asked about the process for claimants who refuse or fail to appear for work; department staff said statutory processes require notice and opportunity to respond and that weekly claims can be held and moved into adjudication when conflicts arise. Lawmakers asked for further timelines on the appeals backlog and whether supplemental staffing could accelerate hearings; the department agreed to provide additional schedule projections.