StateTally

Utah Unemployment Benefits Calculator (2026)

The Utah Department of Workforce Services (DWS) sets the weekly unemployment benefit at the claimant’s highest‑earning base‑period quarter divided by 26, minus $5, but never more than the state cap of $806 per week. Benefits can run from 10 to 26 weeks depending on your total base‑period earnings.

Reviewed 2026-09-02 · Estimates only — not legal or financial advice.

The 3-month calendar quarter of your base period in which you earned the most, before taxes.
The law behind this calculator: Utah Department of Workforce Services — unemployment insurance — Utah Code § 35A-4-401; Utah DWS.

How Utah calculates it

  • Take the wages earned in your highest‑earning quarter of the base period.
  • Divide that amount by 26.
  • Subtract $5 from the result.
  • If the resulting figure exceeds $806, cap the weekly benefit at $806.
  • The weekly amount is payable for up to 26 weeks, with the actual duration ranging from 10 to 26 weeks based on 27% of total base‑period wages divided by the weekly amount.

Worked example

If your highest quarter wages are $17,000, you divide $17,000 by 26 and subtract $5, which yields $649; this is below the $806 maximum, so your weekly benefit is $649 for up to 26 weeks, resulting in a total possible benefit of $16,874 if you collect the full 26 weeks.

Frequently asked questions

How is my weekly unemployment benefit calculated in Utah?

Utah DWS calculates it by taking the wages from your highest‑earning base‑period quarter, dividing by 26, subtracting $5, and then applying the $806 weekly maximum if needed.

What is the maximum weekly benefit I can receive in Utah?

The maximum weekly benefit is $806, regardless of how high your quarter wages are.

How many weeks of benefits can I receive?

Benefits are payable for a minimum of 10 weeks and a maximum of 26 weeks; the exact number is determined by 27% of your total base‑period wages divided by your weekly benefit amount.

If my highest quarter wages are low, will I still get the $5 deduction?

Yes. The $5 subtraction applies to every calculation before the $806 cap is considered.

Has Utah changed its unemployment benefit formula recently?

The formula remains the same: highest quarter ÷ 26 minus $5, with the $806 cap, as outlined in Utah Code § 35A-4-401.

Is the calculation different in Salt Lake City, West Valley City or Provo?

No. Benefits are set by the Utah Department of Workforce Services under one statewide formula, so a claim filed from Salt Lake City, West Valley City, Provo is computed exactly like one from anywhere else in Utah. Only your wages — not your city or county — change the result.

Embed this calculator

Attorneys, HR teams, and publishers: add this calculator to your own site free — copy the snippet below. Attribution stays visible.

More calculators