How is Utah's weekly benefit calculated?

Utah divides your highest-earning base-period quarter by 26 to get the weekly benefit amount, then subtracts five dollars. The result is capped at the state maximum and floored at the state minimum.

What is Utah's maximum weekly benefit?

Utah's maximum weekly benefit amount is about 777 dollars (2024), adjusted annually based on the state average weekly wage. High earners are capped at this maximum regardless of their quarterly wages.

How many weeks can I receive benefits?

Utah benefit duration ranges from about 10 to 26 weeks, set by your total base-period wages relative to your high quarter. Higher overall earnings generally qualify you for more weeks, up to the 26-week maximum.

Am I eligible for Utah unemployment?

You generally must have enough base-period wages, have lost work through no fault of your own, and be able and available to work. This tool estimates the benefit amount and does not determine eligibility.

How accurate is this estimate?

It uses Utah's standard high-quarter-divided-by-26 formula and the current maximum. Your actual award depends on verified wages, deductible income, and Utah Department of Workforce Services determinations.

Utah Unemployment Benefit Estimator

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Utah’s unemployment insurance pays a weekly benefit based on your highest-earning quarter during the base period. The state divides that high quarter by 26, makes a small adjustment, and caps the result at the maximum weekly benefit amount. This estimator runs that calculation and projects how many weeks of benefits you could receive.

How it works

Utah’s benefit formula has three pieces:

Weekly benefit amount (WBA). Take your highest base-period quarter and compute WBA = (high quarter / 26) - 5. The result is capped at the state maximum (about $777) and floored at the minimum (about $32).
Total benefit allowance. Your maximum benefits payable is the lesser of 26 x WBA or 27% of total base-period wages.
Duration. Dividing the total allowance by the WBA gives your estimated number of weeks, which ranges from about 10 to 26.

Tips and example

Suppose your high quarter is $15,000. Then 15,000 / 26 = $577, minus $5 gives a WBA of about $572. If your total base-period wages are $48,000, then 27% = $12,960, and 26 x $572 = $14,872. The smaller cap is $12,960, so your duration is 12,960 / 572 ≈ 22.7 weeks.

Enter your four quarterly wage figures to see your weekly amount, weeks of eligibility, and total potential payout. This is an estimate only — your final award comes from the Utah Department of Workforce Services after verifying wages.