New jobless claims drop 11K in past week

Posted

DES MOINES - The number of initial claims in Iowa, filed between Sunday, Aug. 2, and Saturday, Aug. 8, was 5,282. There were 4,710 initial claims by individuals who work and live in Iowa, and 572 claims by individuals who work in Iowa and live in another state.  The number of continuing weekly unemployment claims for Aug. 2-8 was 92,853, a decrease of 11,463 from the previous week.   

The U.S. Department of Labor adjusted last week’s initial claim number down to 6,317 (a decrease of 448) and continuing claims to 104,316 (a decrease of 654 for a total decrease of 1,102).  Iowa Workforce Development relies upon the weekly data released by the U.S. Department of Labor to report its numbers and as such, adopts the revisions to the previously published data. 

Unemployment insurance benefit payments totaled $27,031,323.13 for the week of Aug. 2-8. The following industries had the most claims: 

  • Manufacturing (1,132)
  • Industry Not Available - Self-employed, Independent Contractors, etc. (539)
  • Health Care & Social Assistance (514)
  • Retail (421)
  • Accommodation & Food Services (373)

A total of $13,876,200 in Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) benefits was paid during the week of Aug. 2-8, 2020. Since April 4, 2020, a total of $1,572,949,543 in FPUC benefits has been paid.

A total of $5,150,688 was paid in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits during the week of Aug. 2-8, 2020.

A total of $4,026,981.82 in benefits has been paid in Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) benefits for the week of Aug. 2-8, 2020. Since May 27, 2020, a total of $43,447,446.28 in PEUC benefits have been paid. 

Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation benefits ended July 25th in Iowa.  On Aug. 8, 2020, President Trump signed an Executive Order authorizing additional payments for some individuals receiving unemployment benefits.  IWD will update its website as additional information becomes available.   

Individuals who have exhausted the additional 13 weeks of PEUC benefits may be eligible for State Extended Benefits (EB) announced in June.  Claimants should continue to file weekly claims so that their claims can be reviewed to determine eligibility for State EB.  These benefits may provide eligible claimants up to an additional 13 weeks of unemployment benefits.  Not everyone who qualified for PEUC will be eligible for State EB.  More information is available here: https://www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/state-extended-benefits

Employers are now required to notify their employees about Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits in accordance with Iowa Administrative Code Section 871-22.19. The requirement ensures that workers are aware of the benefits they may be eligible for if they become unemployed or experience a reduction in hours. 

Employees and employers who have questions regarding returning to work should review the Frequently Asked Questions for each group on our website.  Assistance for employers can be found here:https://www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/sites/search.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/files/content-files/FAQs%20Employers%2008.05.20.pdf

Employees can find assistance here: https://www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/sites/search.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/files/content-files/FAQs%20Workers%2008.03.20.pdf

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here