Utah's coronavirus-influenced unemployment report: 28,000-plus people file in one week

St. George Spectrum & Daily News

Utah had another historic, but maybe not surprising, week in new unemployment claims filed with the Department of Workforce Services.

In just two weeks, Utah has seen almost as many unemployment claims filed as all of 2019 as businesses close their doors and in some cases lay off entire staffs due to the spread of COVID-19.

There were 28,560 new claims filed for the week of March 15-21, or a 46% jump from the over 1,300% increase a week before, according to a press release from the DWS. Nationally, more than 6.6 million new claims were filed that same week, doubling the previous week’s historic numbers.

Unemployment claims are soaring as the coronavirus pandemic shuts down businesses.

“We are approaching more new claims in the last two weeks than the number of claims filed in all of 2019,” Kevin Burt, the director of the Unemployment Insurance Division for DWS, said in a Thursday press release. “The Unemployment Insurance Division staff continue to work diligently to meet this unprecedented volume. Strategies continue to be implemented to respond to this need, as well as the new benefits being described in the CARES Act, but with this historic demand there will be some disruption in our normal service levels.”

A total of $3,972,938 was paid in benefits for the week of March 15, which is 38% higher than the average weekly benefits paid out during 2019, Burt said.

The industries hit the hardest in Utah are food preparation and serving, with 16.6% of claims, followed by administrative support and management. Salt Lake County was number one for most claims filed at over 41%, then Utah County, Davis County, Weber County with Washington County rounding up the top five with just over 6% of the state’s latest claims.

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There have been 1,012 confirmed cases of COVID-19, according to the state's latest numbers. As of Wednesday, there had been five deaths due to COVID-19. In Southwest Utah, there were 33 confirmed cases so far.

Who qualifies for unemployment?

The Electric Theater closes in response to COVID-19 directives Thursday, March 19, 2020.

The DWS has added more scenarios under which people can file for unemployment benefits. Normally, those who have been in the workforce for at least five quarters, those who are able and available for suitable employment and those laid off through no fault of their own are eligible to apply for unemployment benefits.

In addition to those guidelines, the state has released COVID-19 specific situations for which you can apply for unemployment benefits.

Your employer temporarily ceased operations with the expectation you will return to work.
You are quarantined, but not showing symptoms, and will return to work.
You are able and available (not showing any symptoms of COVID-19), but are unable to go to work because your place of employment has been quarantined.

There is also still weeklong waiting period before a person can receive assistance.

To receive unemployment benefits, people need to be actively searching for a job. However, if you have been temporarily laid off due to the coronavirus, you may be granted a deferral, according to the DWS.

If your hours were reduced because of the coronavirus, you may also be eligible to apply for unemployment. Part-time workers who meet guidelines may also be eligible.

DWS spokesperson Christina Davis encourages anyone that thinks this may apply to them to apply online.

"We encourage people if they’ve gone from full-time to a reduction in hours or lost a job permanently or temporarily, get on the website and apply. At that point, we can determine if they are eligible," she said.

Who doesn’t qualify?

Those who have paid leave aren’t eligible for benefits, as well as those who are self-employed. Those without paid leave and contract the coronavirus may be eligible for assistance.

If you contract COVID-19 and quit your job, you may not qualify for unemployment benefits, however, cases are dealt with on an individual basis, according to DWS.

How do I file for unemployment?

The most efficient way to apply, according to Davis, is online. The state's website is: https://jobs.utah.gov/ui/home/

Here’s what you’ll need to apply for assistance:

Name, Date of Birth, and Social Security Number (SSN)
Information about where they work, or what kind of money they receive on a regular basis.
Information about any bank accounts, vehicles, or property they may own.
Information about any expenses they pay for housing, child care, medical bills, or child support.

Who is hiring?

Grocery stores in the area are hiring as demand grows. There are Facebook groups and listings in the St. George area that can be useful for those looking for work at this time.

Also, around 30,000 listings for temporary and full-time jobs in Utah are available on the DWS website.

"If you are in a situation and you’re looking for employment we have a lot of industries and companies still hiring," Davis said. "If someone is going back to work eventually and is looking for something temporary in that time or their job loss is permanent, they can utilize the listings."

Federal assistance

President Donald Trump recently signed a measure to ensure paid sick leave for workers and widen coronavirus testing after its passage in the Senate.

Now, Congress is crafting its next emergency relief package: one that would provide checks of $1,000 or more for Americans and financial lifelines for businesses socked by the coronavirus pandemic that is ravaging the economy and upending daily life.

Senators overwhelmingly supported a House bill that covers the cost of all coronavirus testing, expands federal food programs serving low-income seniors and needy families, and provides paid sick leave for workers forced to stay at home.

The vote was passed 90-8.

The bill, Families First Coronavirus Response Act, would:

Offer two weeks of paid sick and family leave to many American workers who have been forced to stay home because of COVID-19 or who have children whose schools have closed. Workers will get 100% of their normal salary.
Provide up to 12 weeks of paid leave to many of those who have children whose schools have closed. Workers would get about 67% of their normal salary for this period.
Bolster unemployment insurance protections.
Provide free testing for the coronavirus for those who need it.
Boost food assistance (SNAP) for needy families and federal funding for Medicaid.

USA Today contributed to the reporting of this article.

Lexi Peery is the environment, politics and development reporter for The Spectrum & Daily News, a USA TODAY Network newsroom based in southern Utah. You can reach her at lpeery@thespectrum.com and follow her on Twitter @LexiFP.