When it comes to unemployment insurance information, each state is different, and there are some things that make Arkansas unique. If you’re employing people in Arkansas, these are some things you should know about Arkansas unemployment insurance.

Unemployment rates differ between states

It’s important to note that unemployment rates differ from state to state. For example, in December of 2016, unemployment decreased in ten states, increased in one, and fluctuated in small levels for the remaining 39 stations. The lowest unemployment rate in the nation is in New Hampshire at 2.6 percent, with Alaska being the highest at 6.7 percent.

Each state has unique characteristics

The U.S. is a geographically, and economically, diverse country which gives each state unique characteristics that affect businesses when it comes to unemployment insurance. The coastal areas, for example, are characterized by some of the biggest cities and most economically active regions in the country such as Silicon Valley, Washington D.C. and Wall Street. The Midwest region, in states like Ohio, Wisconsin, and Michigan is characterized more by manufacturing and blue-collar work. The Southern states from Arkansas down through Texas, Georgia, and Florida have a wide variety of industries. This ranges from agriculture and energy to tourism and financial services in some of the major cities like Atlanta and Miami.

Arkansas Unemployment Rates & Insurance

The unemployment rate in Arkansas currently stands at 3.9 percent, which is below the national average of 4.7 percent. The Arkansas rate is also one of the lowest of most states in the region, such as Kentucky (4.8), Louisiana (6.1), and Mississippi (5.6). This can partly be attributed to Arkansas being home to headquarters of six different Fortune 500 companies, one of them being the world’s largest retailer, Wal-Mart.

In Arkansas, the bureau that regulates unemployment insurance is called the Arkansas Department of Workforce Services. Information about things like tax credits and appeals can be found on their website. You can also utilize Unemployment Tracker’s interactive map to locate and browse unemployment information on a state by state basis. By clicking on Arkansas, for instance, you can learn that their maximum UI tax rate is 14.4 percent, for a maximum of 20 weeks and capped weekly benefit at $451.

A lot of factors affect how each state approaches and administers unemployment insurance. The state of Arkansas is no different, and if you’re an employer in the state, it’s wise to know where to find critical information about UI in Arkansas should the need arise.