Laid Off Utahn Says End Of Federal Unemployment Benefits Feels Like A Penalty

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – A man who lost his job during the pandemic and has been surviving on state and federal unemployment benefits said he will now have to look outside the state for a job after the governor announced Utah will end federal unemployment programs tied to the pandemic.

LeLand Lambert said even though Utah’s unemployment rate is low, and many businesses have more jobs than applicants, he is now forced to look at other states since there is a shortage of jobs for experienced people like him.

“I really did love my job,” Lambert said. “I felt like I was making a difference.”

It’s been almost a year. He earned about $60,000 a year as Director of Operations at Neighborhood House, a nonprofit that helps single mothers.

“It feels like this announcement penalizes those of us with a college degree or experience that are struggling,” he said.

He is one of the 11,000 Utahns that will lose out on the federal extended unemployment benefits at the end of June. Lambert was getting around $850 a week from the state and federal programs.

State unemployment benefits will continue.

Governor Spencer Cox said that Utah’s 2.9 percent unemployment rate is a signal that it’s time to pull out of the program.

Cox said Utah will no longer take part in the federal $300 a week COVID-19 pandemic unemployment program beginning June 26.

Lambert said he is, “Very frustrated. Very concerned.”

He called the job market more competitive than it appears.

“There may be jobs, but they don’t pay enough. It is like if I take some of these jobs that are available, I am taking a pay cut. A huge pay cut. I would be making a quarter of what I was making before. 75%.”

According to the state workforce services, there are 50,000 job openings.

Thank you, @GovCox. This is an important step forward. https://t.co/N5xRGEg0d8

— Mike Lee (@SenMikeLee) May 12, 2021

Senators Mike Lee and Mitt Romney supported Cox’s decision. Lee said in a tweet, “This is an important step forward,”

“Paying people more money not to work disincentivizes work, plain and simple,” Romney said in a tweet. “Increased unemployment benefits are leaving employers struggling to staff up. I applaud @GovCox for this decision — it’s time we reopen our economy.”

Paying people more money not to work disincentivizes work, plain and simple. Increased unemployment benefits are leaving employers struggling to staff up. I applaud @GovCox for this decision—it’s time we reopen our economy. https://t.co/9FquRBMsJ3

— Senator Mitt Romney (@SenatorRomney) May 12, 2021

“I feel like part of unemployment is to better myself so I qualify for more long-term career jobs instead of short-term jobs,” Lambert said.

For those still struggling due to the pandemic, other safety net programs are available such as rent, utility, food and medical assistance. For more information about additional pandemic relief programs and details about the federal unemployment insurance programs ending, visit jobs.utah.gov.