The Utah Department of Workforce Services reports that the number of new claims filed for unemployment benefits in Utah are going down. The week ending on April 18th had 19,751 new claims and 95,376 weekly claims paying out a total of over $17 million dollars in traditional benefits. An additional $42.5 million dollars were paid out for the $600 dollar weekly stimulus for a grand total just short of $60 million dollars. “We are encouraged to see another decrease in new claims filed, though we continue to receive them at record levels,” says Kevin Burt, Unemployment Insurance Division director for the Utah Department of Workforce Services. “The Utah unemployment insurance system, and the dedicated staff that run it, continues to effectively and efficiently meet the needs of Utahns and we will make every effort to continue to do so.” Any individuals whose employment has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic should visit jobs.utah.gov/covid19 for updated information on the unemployment insurance system.
