Weekly benefit amount and weeks in Utah

The weekly benefit

Weekly benefit

up to $806

Maximum: claims effective January 1 through December 31, 2026

How it is figured

Your weekly benefit amount is your highest quarter's wages divided by 26, minus $5, dropping any cents, up to $806 a week in 2026. DWS's 2026 Benefit Schedule shows the amount for each wage range.

Official

Official table or notice

Law: Utah Code sec. 35A-4-401(2)

The wage test

For 2026 claims you must have earned at least $5,500 in your base period, with wages in two or more quarters, and your total base-period wages must be at least 1.5 times your highest quarter.

Your base period is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before the week you file. If you do not qualify, DWS can use an alternate base period: the most recent four completed quarters.

The state's wage tests

• At least $5,500 in the base period and total wages at least 1.5 times your highest quarter — The $5,500 minimum applies to claims effective January 1 to December 31, 2026.

Law: Utah Code sec. 35A-4-403

Official source: Source page

Estimate your weekly benefit

Enter the gross wages (before taxes) you were paid in each quarter of your base period. We apply the state's own formula to your numbers.

The state's formula: your highest quarter ÷ 26 − $5, rounded down; at most $806

How long it lasts

Up to 26 weeks.

To find your weeks, multiply your total base-period wages by 27% (drop the cents), divide by your weekly benefit amount and drop any fraction. You get at least 10 and at most 26 weeks. Your total benefits are your weekly amount times that number of weeks; the 2026 maximum is $20,956.

Law: Utah Code sec. 35A-4-401(4)

Official source: Source page

Waiting week

Utah law says you are not paid for the first eligible week you claim. You must still file for that week and meet all requirements to get waiting-week credit.

Law: Utah Code sec. 35A-4-403(1)(d)

Official source: Source page

Working part time

If you work less than full time and earn less than your weekly benefit amount, you can get partial benefits. Earnings up to 30% of your weekly benefit amount do not reduce your payment; anything above that is subtracted. For example, with a $300 weekly benefit you can earn $90 with no reduction. If you earn your full weekly benefit amount or more, or work 40 hours or more, you get no payment that week. Report gross earnings without cents.

Law: Utah Code sec. 35A-4-401(3)

Official source: Source page

What applies in every state

• You must have earned enough wages, or worked enough, during a period called the base period. In most states it is the first four of the last five completed calendar quarters before you file.
• It generally takes two to three weeks after you file to get your first payment. Some states require a one-week waiting period, so the second week you claim is the first week paid.
• Unemployment benefits count as income for federal income tax. You must report them on your federal tax return.

  Law: 26 U.S.C. 85(a)

Free help

Call 801-526-4400. Legal aid and other free help in Utah → Official sources →