Utah Unemployment Insurance

Utah Unemployment Insurance provides jobless compensation to eligible unemployed workers through no fault of their own that meet Utah’s eligibility requirements.

Each state sets its own guidelines for eligibility for UI benefits, but you usually qualify if you:

1. have lost a job through no fault of your own;
2. are unemployed or partially unemployed for reasons permissible under federal law;
3. are “able to work, available to work, and actively seeking work;” and
4. have earned at least a certain amount of money during a “base period” prior to becoming unemployed. In most states, this is usually the first 4 out of the last 5 completed calendar quarters prior to the time that your claim is filed.

It is intended to pay temporary benefits to eligible claimants during times of unemployment when suitable work is not available.

According to the Utah Department of Workforce Services, for claims in 2026, in order to be eligible for unemployment benefits, you must have earned a minimum amount of wages in a recent ‘base period’ and must have:¹

1. worked in at least two calendar quarters of the base period, AND
2. earned at least $5,500 in the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters, AND
3. total base period earnings of not less than 1.5 times the earnings in the highest quarter

For example, if your highest-paid quarter was $4,000, your total wages must be at least $6,000 ($4,000 × 1.5) during the base period.

What is the maximum weekly unemployment benefit in Utah?

Depending on how much you have earned in your base period, you may receive up to $806 per week for between 10 and 26 weeks of unemployment benefits per year.¹

For how many weeks is unemployment paid in Utah?

Unemployment insurance in Utah is paid for as many as 26 weeks in a benefit year. You must continue to meet the eligibility requirements and request payment for each week you claim.

How do I file for unemployment in Utah?

Claims for UI benefits will be expedited if you file online  or if you decide to file by phone, you can call the numbers listed below.