US Labor Department announces release of $20.3 million in unemployment insurance modernization incentive funds to Utah

WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of Labor today certified for release $20,332,402 in unemployment insurance modernization incentive funds to the state of Utah. Utah qualified for a portion of its share of the funds available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act by updating its laws to allow workers to use recent earnings to qualify for benefits.

"While unemployment insurance is not a replacement for wages, updated laws can certainly bring a greater number of workers the help they need while they secure permanent employment in good jobs," said Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis. "Utah's law is especially helpful to unemployed workers who are recent entrants to the workforce and who might not otherwise qualify for benefits."

The Utah Department of Workforce Services can use the funds to pay unemployment benefits or, if appropriated by the legislature, for administering its unemployment insurance program or delivering employment services.

The Recovery Act made a total of $7 billion available in UI modernization incentive payments to states that include certain eligibility provisions in their UI programs. Each state can qualify for a share of those funds by showing that its law includes those provisions. Utah's approved application will be posted at http://www.doleta.gov/recovery/. Other approved applications can also be found on this site.