Utah Unemployment Benefit Eligibility Requirements

Utah General Unemployment Benefit Program Requirements

To be eligible for Utah Unemployment Benefit, a person must have worked during the first four of the last five calendar quarters (or the last four calendar quarters) with a minimum of $3200 earned in covered employment, must have earned wages in two or more calendar quarters of the base period, and the total base period wages must be 1.5 times the wages earned in the highest quarter. Separation from most recent employment must be due to reduction in force, discharge not for just cause, or quit for good cause (or not contrary to equity and good conscience). The claimant must meet the definition of being unemployed, not have disqualifying earnings (including accrued vacation or vacation pay), be actively seeking work, and be able and available for full-time work.

What qualifies you For Utah Unemployment Insurance Benefits:

• You must be partially or totally unemployed through no fault of your own.
• You must be a US citizen or legally authorized to work in the US.
• You must have sufficient earnings in the base period to establish a monetary entitlement.
• You must have worked and been paid wages for employment in at least two of the base period quarters that are being used.
• You must have earned at least $3300 in total wages in the base period and earned 1.5 times the high quarter. If you do not have 1 1/2 times your high quarter wages in your current base period, you may qualify under the same conditions by using your Alternate Base Period, which would be the most recent four completed calendar quarters.
• You must have a valid Utah claim.
• You must file a weekly claim.
• You must be able and available for full-time work.
• You must be willing to actively seek full-time work in the US.
• You must reside in the United States.

To file for Utah Unemployment Insurance Benefits you need: 

• Your Social Security Number.
• The names of all employers as they appear on your pay stub with the dates worked for all employers since 7/1/2012.
• The name and local number of your union hall, if you obtain work through a union.
• Your State Driver’s License or Identification Card number if you have one.
• Your Alien Registration Number if you are not a US citizen but are legally authorized to work in the United States.
• If you have any Non-Utah employers you must have an accurate mailing address and phone number for them.

Why Unemployment Insurance:

The purpose of Unemployment Insurance is to lighten the burdens of persons unemployed through no fault of their own by maintaining their purchasing power in the economy.This is a temporary income for qualified workers

 

Who pays unemployment Insurance:

All Utah Qualified Employers pay quarterly unemployment insurance taxes. This pays the costs for unemployment insurance. Utah Employees do not contribute to the unemployment insurance fund. 

 

How to calculate your Utah Unemployment Benefit Payments:

Divide the highest quarter of your base period by 26 and subtract $5.00 to determine the amount of unemployment benefits you will receive each week, up to a maximum of $479 for new claims effective on or after January 6, 2013.

 

Calculating The number of Utah Unemployment Insurance Benefits weeks:

A formula is used to determine the number of weeks. Multiply your total wages for insured work paid during the base period by 27%, disregarding any fractions of $1 and divide by your weekly benefit amount, disregarding any fractions. The result will be a preliminary determination of the number of weeks you are entitled to receive benefits. Utah has a minimum of 10 weeks and a maximum of 26 weeks of regular benefits.