Last Week, 6,275 Utahns Filed For First-Time Jobless Benefits
May 21, 2020, 8:47 AM | Updated: 2:52 pm
FILE (Getty Images)
(Getty Images)
SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Another 6,275 Utahns filed for first-time traditional unemployment benefits last week, according to the Utah Department of Workforce Services.
That number is down by 860 from the week before.
A total of 2,604 new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance claims were submitted, 183 fewer than the week before.
The Department of Labor on Thursday reported that approximately 2.4 million Americans filed new jobless claims for the week ending May 16.
“We continue to be encouraged by the number of individuals ending their unemployment insurance claims as our economy dials back up,” said Kevin Burt, Unemployment Insurance Division director for the Utah Department of Workforce Services. “We are also encouraged by the consistent number of weekly claims, yet decreased benefits paid out. This is likely a reflection of individuals gradually returning to work and taking less in their weekly benefit amount.”
In addition to the Thursday update on unemployment numbers, Burt announced the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program.
That program could give eligible Utahns who have exhausted their benefits an additional 13 weeks of benefits.
“We are proud to have created and made available the final program of the CARES Act. Our staff has worked diligently to get these critical new programs implemented in the midst of processing record-breaking claim volumes,” Burt said.
Utah stands out nationally for for how it has responded to unemployment crisis caused by the pandemic, Burt added.
Laid off workers who have already exhausted benefits and have stopped filing weekly claims are encouraged to visit jobs.utah.gov to see if they qualify.
A news release said visitors should select “File New or Reopen Claim” to apply.
Applicants will find out if they are eligible for retroactive benefits going back to March 29th.
If an individual’s employment has been impacted by COVID-19, they should visit jobs.utah.gov/covid19 for updated information including help for employees and employers returning to work.
Burt is scheduled to hold a press briefing at 10 a.m. Thursday with further details.
