A minor district (king amphoe), Kut Chum was established on 1 August 1961.

[1] On 17 July 1963, it was elevated to the level of district (amphoe), then of Ubon Ratchathani province.

[2] When Yasothon was separated from Ubon, Kut Chum was one of the districts assigned to the new province.

Neighboring districts are (from the northeast clockwise): Loeng Nok Tha, Thai Charoen, Pa Tio, Mueang Yasothon, and Sai Mun of Yasothon Province, and Selaphum and Nong Phok of Roi Et province.

To side-step implications that they intended a substitute local currency, they changed to Boon Kut Chum, which are barter coupons with a fixed value in baht, that may be exchanged for goods and services in the community.