6,312 initial unemployment claims were filed last week in Iowa, an increase of 1,095 (21%) from the previous week.
The number of Americans seeking unemployment aid rose last week to 742,000, the first increase in five weeks and a sign that the resurgent viral outbreak is likely slowing the economy and forcing more companies to cut jobs.
5,784 initial claims for the week of Nov. 8-14 were by people who work and live in Iowa, while 528 by individuals who work in Iowa but live outside the state.
$9,580,120.79 in unemployment insurance benefits were paid out last week, a decrease of $559,670.08 (5.52%) from the previous week.
Continuing claims for the week were 35,242, an increase of 29 (0.08%) from the previous week.
"Due to Governor Reynolds’ recent Proclamation of Disaster Emergency, IowaWORKS Centers will temporarily cease providing in-person services. Customers are encouraged to log onto IowaWORKS.gov or the mobile application to continue their work search activities," Iowa Workforce development said in a release.
"Further assistance can also be received by visiting the website or calling 1-866-239-0843"
Iowa Workforce Development and all IowaWORKS Centers will be closed November 25-27 in observance of the Thanksgiving holiday.
The following industries had the most claims, according to IWD:
- Manufacturing (1,177)
- Industry Not Available - Self-employed, Independent Contractors, etc (771)
- Construction (945)
- Health Care & Social Assistance (676)
- Retail Trade (418)
Additional data released for last week:
- $1,011,600 in Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) benefits paid, which were retroactive payments as the program ended July 25, 2020. Since April 4, 2020, a total of $1,620,930,433 in FPUC benefits have been paid.
- $3,376,030.72 paid in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits. Since April 13, 2020, a total of $146,651,795.64 in PUA benefits have been paid.
- $8,065,344.08 paid in Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) benefits. Since May 27, 2020, a total of $133,210,804.33 in PEUC benefits have been paid.
- $86,125.84 paid in State Extended Benefits (EB). Since July 21, 2020, a total of $17,424,410.14 in State EB has been paid.
The United States Department of Labor has notified Iowa that due to the state's economic recovery, the State EB program will end the week ending October 31, 2020. EB cannot be paid to any claimant for weeks of unemployment after October 31, 2020, even if they have not yet received 13 weeks of EB. Those claimants who lose EB may be eligible for the PUA benefit program if they have remaining benefit weeks available in their current benefit year. Claimants may apply for PUA at www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/pua-information.
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