Federal unemployment benefits extended into the 1st quarter 2021

Utahns currently receiving unemployment benefits through federal programs funded by the CARES Act may be eligible for extended weeks of benefits. Previously slated for a Dec. 26 end date, Congress has extended these federal unemployment programs through March 13, 2021.

The state of Utah currently administers two federal unemployment programs created under the CARES Act that have been extended as follows:

• Pandemic Unemployment Assistance. Provides up to 39 weeks of federal unemployment benefits to individuals not otherwise eligible for state unemployment and who are unable to work due to COVID-19, including the self-employed and gig workers. This program has been extended to eligible individuals for up to 50 weeks or until the program expires on March 13, 2021.

• Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation. Provides an additional 13 weeks of federal emergency unemployment benefits for individuals who remain unemployed after they have exhausted their state unemployment benefits. This program has been extended to eligible individuals for up to 24 weeks or until the program expires on March 13, 2021.

A third federal unemployment program will also be reinstated. The Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program provides a weekly stimulus unemployment benefit of $300 to eligible claimants for up to 11 weeks beginning with the week ending Jan. 2 (paid out the following week of Jan. 3-9) until the program expires on March 13, 2021. The extension of these temporary federal benefits … will be a great help to those who remain unemployed during this difficult pandemic,” said Kevin Burt, unemployment insurance division director for the Utah Department of Workforce Services.