Utah Unemployment

Who Oversees Utah Unemployment Insurance Benefits?

Utah’s Unemployment Insurance (UI) program is administered by the Utah Department of Workforce Services (DWS) — specifically the Unemployment Insurance Division within DWS. DWS implements state UI law (the Utah Employment Security Act), collects employer contributions that fund UI benefits, issues determinations, runs claims processing, fraud investigations, and manages appeals and the Workforce Appeals Board process. Utah Department of Workforce Services+1

How Can I Qualify for Unemployment Benefits in Utah?

To qualify you must meet both monetary (wage) requirements and eligibility (separation & availability) requirements:

1. Monetary (base-period) requirements

   • You must have earned enough wages in your base period (the usual base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before your claim). DWS publishes a minimum base-period wage for that year and a rule that your total base-period wages generally must equal at least 1.5× the wages in your highest base-period quarter. If you don’t qualify under the standard base period, DWS may use an alternate base period (most recent four completed quarters). Utah Department of Workforce Services+1

2. Reason for separation

   • You must be unemployed through no fault of your own. Typical qualifying separations include layoffs or reduced hours. If you were fired or quit, eligibility turns on the facts — e.g., a discharge for misconduct usually disqualifies, while a layoff for lack of work does not. DWS determines fault after taking information from you and your employer. Utah Department of Workforce Services+1

3. Availability and ability to work

   • You must be able and available for full-time work and actively seeking work as required by DWS (reporting your search activities when asked). Partial work may reduce or suspend benefits depending on how much you earn in a week. Utah Department of Workforce Services+1

4. Timing

   • File a claim as soon as you become unemployed or your hours are reduced; your claim’s effective date is normally the Sunday of the week you file. Benefits are not paid for weeks before you filed. Utah Department of Workforce Services

If you’re unsure whether you meet the monetary test, DWS provides a monetary determination after you file showing wages on record, your computed weekly benefit amount, and the number of weeks you may be entitled to receive. Utah Department of Workforce Services

How Much Will I Receive in Unemployment Benefits in Utah?

How the weekly amount is calculated

• Utah generally computes your Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA) by dividing the highest quarter wages in your base period by 26 and then subtracting $5 (this is the formula for WBAs under a threshold; see full schedule for higher amounts). Earnings you receive while filing may reduce the weekly payment (you may earn up to 30% of your WBA and still receive the full payment; above that, deductions apply). Utah Department of Workforce Services+1

Maximums and totals (2025 values)

• DWS publishes an annual maximum weekly benefit amount (WBA) and maximum benefit amount (MBA) for the benefit year. For new claims effective January 1, 2025 the Benefit Schedule shows:

  • Maximum weekly benefit amount (WBA): $777

  • Maximum benefit amount (MBA) for the benefit year: $20,202.
    These maximums change annually, so check the DWS Benefit Schedule for the current year when you file. Utah Department of Workforce Services+1

How many weeks

• The number of weeks of regular UI benefits is determined by a formula (total base-period wages × 27% ÷ your WBA), subject to a minimum of 10 weeks and a maximum of 26 weeks of regular state benefits. (During extraordinary periods of high unemployment, federal or other emergency programs can alter this.) Utah Department of Workforce Services+1

Taxes

• Unemployment benefits are taxable. You can elect federal withholding (10%) and state withholding (5%) when you set up your payments, and you’ll get a Form 1099-G from DWS after the tax year. Utah Department of Workforce Services

What’s the Process for Applying for Unemployment Benefits in Utah?

1. Gather information before you start

   • Social Security Number, driver’s license, mailing address, contact info for all employers in the past 18 months (names, addresses, phone numbers), dates of employment, reason for separation, bank routing & account number if you want direct deposit. Utah Department of Workforce Services+1

2. File a new claim online (required)

   • All new claims must be filed online at the official DWS site: jobs.utah.gov/ui/home → “File a new claim.” You cannot file a new claim over the phone; phone lines exist for help with existing claims. Create your Utah-ID to sign into “my Unemployment.” Utah Department of Workforce Services+1

3. Monetary determination

   • After filing you’ll typically receive a “Notice of Monetary Determination” within a few weeks showing wages on file, your WBA, and weeks of entitlement — review it carefully and notify DWS of missing wage records. Utah Department of Workforce Services

4. File weekly claims

   • To be paid you must file a weekly claim (file online through “my Unemployment”), answer required eligibility questions for each week, and report any earnings. Weekly claim week: Sunday–Saturday; file promptly (DWS encourages filing on Sunday). Utah Department of Workforce Services+1

5. Payment method

   • Choose direct deposit (preferred) or a state debit card (ReliaCard). Set/change payment method in your “my Unemployment” account. Utah Department of Workforce Services+1

6. Respond to DWS requests

   • If DWS has questions, requests documentation, or schedules an adjudication, respond quickly. Failure to respond can delay or deny benefits. Utah Department of Workforce Services

How Can I Manage My Unemployment Benefits in Utah?

Use your “my Unemployment” account at jobs.utah.gov for nearly all management tasks:

• File weekly claims and view claim status. Utah Department of Workforce Services

• Set or change direct deposit or payment method. Utah Department of Workforce Services

• Change tax withholding (federal and state) for your benefit payments. Utah Department of Workforce Services

• Check notices and messages (DWS will post important correspondence to your account). Utah Department of Workforce Services

• Use Live Chat inside your account for help, or call the Claims Assistance and Re-Employment (CARE) Team for questions about existing claims. Utah Department of Workforce Services+1

Report changes promptly — law requires you to report changes (new job, earnings, address, availability) within 10 days of learning of the change; failing to report can create overpayments and penalties. Utah Department of Workforce Services

How Can I Appeal a Decision Regarding Utah Unemployment Benefits?

1. Initial appeal deadline

   • If you disagree with a DWS decision (monetary or eligibility), you must file an appeal with the Appeals Unit within 15 calendar days of the date the decision was mailed. Appeals can be filed online, by mail, or by fax. If you miss 15 days you can attempt a late appeal but you must show good cause for the delay. Utah Department of Workforce Services+1

2. Hearing before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)

   • Your appeal typically results in a telephone hearing before an ALJ. You can submit evidence and witnesses and should follow the Appeals Unit instructions; if you’re not called within 10 minutes of the hearing time, call the Appeals Unit. Utah Department of Workforce Services+1

3. Further appeals

   • If you disagree with the ALJ’s decision, you may appeal to the Workforce Appeals Board (must be filed within 30 days of the ALJ decision). Instructions for further appeal and address/fax numbers are provided in the ALJ decision. Utah Department of Workforce Services+1

4. Practical tips

   • Keep copies of all documents, show up on time for hearings (phone hearings are common), and submit any documents to the Appeals Unit per their filing rules. Employers have appeal rights too. If possible, get representation (attorney or advocate) for complicated cases. Utah Department of Workforce Services+1

How Can I Report Unemployment Fraud in Utah?

• Online: Use DWS’s web fraud reporting form at the Fraud page: jobs.utah.gov/ui/home/fraud (there is an online form to submit details). Utah Department of Workforce Services+1

• By phone: Call 801-526-4400 and follow the fraud menu (national DOL listings also show Utah fraud reporting routed via that number). The DWS has a dedicated fraud investigation division and will investigate allegations of claimant or employer fraud. Utah Department of Workforce Services+1

What to report: false statements, identity theft, failure to report earnings, misclassification by employers, or any other suspected abuse. Provide as much detail and documentation as possible; DWS can pursue recovery, penalties, and criminal prosecution. Utah Department of Workforce Services+1

How Can I Speak to a Representative at Utah Unemployment Customer Service?

For help with an existing claim or assistance:

• Salt Lake & South Davis Counties: (801) 526-4400.

• Weber & North Davis Counties: (801) 612-0877.

• Utah County: (801) 375-4067.

• Remainder of Utah & Out-of-state: 1-888-848-0688.

• Additional contact numbers (general UI contact and toll-free) and fax addresses are listed on the DWS contact page. New claims must be filed online; phone help is for existing claims and questions. Utah Department of Workforce Services+1

If you need appeals help, call the Appeals Unit at 801-526-9300 (or toll free 1-877-800-0671) for hearing scheduling and instructions. Utah Department of Workforce Services

What Happens if I Was Fired?

• It depends on why you were fired. If you were discharged for misconduct connected to the work (willful violations, serious negligence, theft, etc.), you are likely disqualified from receiving UI for a period determined by DWS. If you were fired for performance issues that are not misconduct, or for reasons beyond your control, you may still be eligible. DWS will investigate the reason for separation by collecting statements from you and your employer and then issue a decision. If denied, you can appeal. Utah Department of Workforce Services+1

Practical steps after a firing:

1. File your claim promptly (online). Utah Department of Workforce Services

2. Be honest and specific about the employer’s stated reason for termination. Provide documentation or witnesses if available. Utah Department of Workforce Services

3. If denied, read the decision carefully and consider filing an appeal within 15 days. Utah Department of Workforce Services

What Happens if I Quit My Job?

• Quitting is treated differently than being laid off. Generally, if you voluntarily quit, you are disqualified from receiving UI unless you had good cause to quit (examples could include unsafe working conditions, hostile work environment, discrimination, or a substantial, documented change in job terms). DWS examines the reasons and whether a reasonable person in your circumstances would have quit. If you quit for a personal reason (moving, dislike of job) without good cause, you will likely be denied. Utah Department of Workforce Services+1

If you quit and believe you had good cause:

1. Document the issue (emails, complaints you made to employer, dates you notified employer, any HR records). Utah Department of Workforce Services

2. File a claim and be prepared to explain and provide proof. The employer will be allowed to respond. If denied, you can appeal. Utah Department of Workforce Services+1

Utah Unemployment Phone Number and Office Locations