SALT LAKE CITY — New claims for unemployment benefits in Utah are up dramatically, the Department of Workforce Services reported Thursday.
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The number of total new claims filed for unemployment benefits in Utah was 4,758 for the week of Nov. 29 - Dec. 5, 2020, with a total of $10,367,441 of benefits paid. There were 27,133 continued claims filed during that same week.
The number of individuals who have not requested a benefit for two consecutive weeks as of Nov. 28, 2020, was 2,582. A total of 2,567 met the same criteria during the previous week.
“We saw the volume of new claims go up dramatically this past week, some of it can certainly be attributed to the expected seasonal claim increases as well as a relatively low claim volume during the Thanksgiving week,” said Kevin Burt, Unemployment Insurance Division director for the Utah Department of Workforce Services. “However, it is clear that the pandemic continues to be disruptive to employment and many are still in need of the unemployment benefit.”
If an individual's employment has been impacted by COVID-19, they should visit the state's websitefor updated information including help for employees and employers returning to work.