Today's Coronavirus Question and Answer program, hosted by KSL Newsradio host Jeff Caplan, features Kevin Burt, Unemployment Insurance Division Director for the Utah Department of Workforce Services, and Heather Barnum with the communications team for the Utah Coronavirus Task Force.

The questions addressed today are:

1 -  How many people have lost their jobs in the state of Utah since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic? (1:14)

2 -  Many people don't know how to file unemployment or really anything about it. What are some of the rules of thumb for those folks? (1:46)

3 -  I filed for unemployment and haven't heard anything back, anytime I try to reach Workforce Services, I get hung up on immediately. (3:35)

4 -  Are people who've filed for unemployment, and haven't heard much back, just supposed to sit on their hands and wait? (5:00)

5 - How much have unemployment claims in Utah gone up? (6:19)

6 - What does a person do if they haven't heard back from Dept. of Workforce Services for 30 days? (6:55)

7 - How is the state's "Healthy Together" beta app, how has it been received? (7:55)

8 -  I am an employer, how will this situation affect my rate when I pay unemployment insurance? (9:45)

9 -  If one company has to let 50 employees go, and another has to let 3 go, will everybody share the burden of increased unemployment insurance? (11:25)

10 - How long does the state portion of unemployment last if you can't find a job? (12:30)

11 -  If I am awarded unemployment benefits, are they taxed as a typical paycheck? (13:27)

12 - If someone is self-employed, how will unemployment benefits affect them if they also receive Medicare. (14:55)

13 -  We filed for unemployment and haven't heard anything back, what's going on? (17:40)

14 - What about unemployment for "gig" workers and the self-employed? (19:20)

15 -  What are the steps to take to apply for unemployment? (21:00)

16 -  What if you are self-employed and have employees, are you eligible for unemployment? (21:55)

17 - If I take a voluntary furlough from my company, do I qualify for unemployment? (22:35)

18 - If you are furloughed, and then brought back with significantly reduced hours, are you still eligible for unemployment? (23:52)

19 - Is the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program up and ready to go? (24:55)

20 -  What is the website where people can go for all of this information? (26:15)

21 - How is your computer system holding up with all of this extra traffic? (26:33)

Join KSL either on the radio (at 12:20 p.m.) or on the podcast any time of your choosing to hear your COVID-19 coronavirus questions answered by the experts. Each day, members of the Utah COVID-19 task force and experts in the health field will be available to speak to your comments and concerns. Leave a voicemail at 801-237-2482 to ask us your virus questions during the pandemic.

Today's Coronavirus Question and Answer program, hosted by KSL Newsradio host Jeff Caplan, features Kevin Burt, Unemployment Insurance Division Director for the Utah Department of Workforce Services, and Heather Barnum with the communications team for the Utah Coronavirus Task Force.
The questions addressed today are:
1 -&nbsp; How many people have lost their jobs in the state of Utah since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic? (1:14)
2 -&nbsp; Many people don't know how to file unemployment or really anything about it. What are some of the rules of thumb for those folks? (1:46)
3 -&nbsp; I filed for unemployment and haven't heard anything back, anytime I try to reach Workforce Services, I get hung up on immediately. (3:35)
4 -&nbsp; Are people who've filed for unemployment, and haven't heard much back, just supposed to sit on their hands and wait? (5:00)
5 - How much have unemployment claims in Utah gone up? (6:19)
6 - What does a person do if they haven't heard back from Dept. of Workforce Services for 30 days? (6:55)
7 - How is the state's "Healthy Together" beta app, how has it been received? (7:55)
8 -&nbsp; I am an employer, how will this situation affect my rate when I pay unemployment insurance? (9:45)
9 -&nbsp; If one company has to let 50 employees go, and another has to let 3 go, will everybody share the burden of increased unemployment insurance? (11:25)
10 - How long does the state portion of unemployment last if you can't find a job? (12:30)
11 -&nbsp; If I am awarded unemployment benefits, are they taxed as a typical paycheck? (13:27)
12 - If someone is self-employed, how will unemployment benefits affect them if they also receive Medicare. (14:55)
13 -&nbsp; We filed for unemployment and haven't heard anything back, what's going on? (17:40)
14 - What about unemployment for "gig" workers and the self-employed? (19:20)
15 -&nbsp; What are the steps to take to apply for unemployment? (21:00)
16 -&nbsp; What if you are self-employed and have employees, are you eligible for unemployment? (21:55)
17 - If I take a voluntary furlough from my company, do I qualify for unemployment? (22:35)
18 - If you are furloughed, and then brought back with significantly reduced hours, are you still eligible for unemployment? (23:52)
19 - Is the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program up and ready to go? (24:55)
20 -&nbsp; What is the website where people can go for all of this information? (26:15)
21 - How is your computer system holding up with all of this extra traffic? (26:33)
Join KSL either on the radio (at 12:20 p.m.) or on the podcast any time of your choosing to hear your COVID-19 coronavirus questions answered by the experts. Each day, members of the Utah COVID-19 task force and experts in the health field will be available to speak to your comments and concerns. Leave a voicemail at 801-237-2482 to ask us your virus questions during the pandemic.

Do you have questions about coronavirus, COVID-19? An expert with the Utah State Health department joins us each week day to answer questions on 102.7 FM at 12:20 pm or leave a voicemail 801-237-2482. 

Do you have questions about coronavirus, COVID-19? An expert with the Utah State Health department joins us each week day to answer questions on 102.7 FM at 12:20 pm or leave a voicemail 801-237-2482.&nbsp;

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