Utah’s New Unemployment Claims Continue To Drop

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Utah saw another decrease in new jobless claims for the week ending Aug. 29, according to the Department of Workforce Services.

A total of 4,591 workers submitted new unemployment claims during that time, and 52,782 Utahns filed continued claims during that same week.

As of Aug. 22, 7,190 workers did not request benefits for two consecutive weeks.

The state is currently pursuing short-term stimulus aid through the Lost Wages Assistance program, which is part of an executive order signed by President Donald Trump. The program pays out qualified workers an additional $300 for three weeks from July 26 – Aug. 15.

Federal aid in the form of $600 per week has since expired.

“The unemployment insurance program has been a critical benefit to those that have and continue to see their employment disrupted during this pandemic, and to date it has helped tens of thousands of Utahns,” said Kevin Burt, Unemployment Insurance Division director for the Utah Department of Workforce Services. “However, it is critical to remember that the benefit is time limited, emphasizing the need for all those receiving it to actively look for work, including those who are considered furloughed. There are opportunities, as evidenced by the more than 30,000 job postings at jobs.utah.gov.”

Nationally, the number of new jobless claims also dipped from more than 1 million the previous week to 881,000, and approximately 13.3 million Americans are continuing to receive unemployment benefits.

The government’s jobs report for August will be issued Friday.

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.