Learn About Separation From Work in Utah
Other basic qualifications for unemployment include: wrongful termination, having quit with good cause, or a reduction in hours worked. Eligibility for unemployment depends on whether the loss of earnings occurred because the employer either arbitrarily laid-off or fired the employee, or the employee resigned due to unfair practices in the workplace. It is also important to ensure that no errors are made in filing, due to the strict laws against fraud. For example, claiming higher wages than actually earned is considered fraudulent. Therefore, while your eligibility for unemployment in Utah is being determined, be sure your records are accurate, so when you fill out the application there is no temptation to guess or inflate any numbers. Any false information or failure to report all earnings will result in penalties, such as fines totaling twice the amount of benefits paid out, incarceration, criminal prosecution and more.
Note: To limit the threat of fraud, do not provide anyone with your Personal Identification Number (PIN), which is required to file weekly claims.
What unemployment information is shared in Utah?
An individual who qualifies for unemployment will have needed to authorize communication between Utah Workforce Services and his or her employer. Maintaining eligibility for EDD in UT requires that information held by the previous employer be shared with law enforcement, other state agencies, federal programs or child support services, where applicable. Utah Workforce Services collects Information regarding payroll, statistics, audits, hearings and any other employment services. However, Utah Workforce Services is not permitted to share information with any family members, banks, attorneys or other parties without a court order.
What issues prevent qualifying for EDD benefits in Utah?
Learn more about how to qualify for unemployment in Utah and prevent inaccuracies by carefully reading the following list to make sure none of these issues are applicable. Applicants are not eligible if they:
• Reside outside of the U.S.
• Refuse to work.
• Are unable to work full-time.
• Are unable to actively seek full-time work.
• Are receiving paid vacation.
• Are attending school.
• Neglect to file a claim each week.
• Have an injury or illness.
• Are employed at a school.
• Are employed as professional athletes.
• Are involved in a strike or labor dispute.
• Are rightfully terminated by an employer.
How is unemployment maintained in Utah?
In order to maintain UT eligibility for EDD benefits, it is also necessary to make a good faith effort to obtain future employment by contacting new full-time work opportunities. Sustained eligibility for unemployment benefits requires that a claimant reach out to four contacts per week, and the details must be recorded, including: the date of contact, the name of the company, the position available, the method of contact and the result. Utah’s qualifications for unemployment also stipulate that these contacts must be suitable or comparable to the type of work that was lost. However, the longer you are unemployed, the more you may be expected to accept a job with reduced wages, reduced job roles, different workplace conditions and less relevance to your training. Under some conditions, you are allowed to refuse work, such as when filling for a job made vacant through a labor dispute, a strike or a lockout. Refusal is also permitted when the wages and conditions of employment are far below those of similar work in the industry, or if you would be required to join, resign or be prevented from joining a union.
