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Iowa unemployment update: Initial claims up slightly, continuing claims and benefits paid drop

Continuing claims for the week were 51,666, a decrease of 6,753 (11.56%) from the previous week.

4,730 initial unemployment claims were filed last week in Iowa, an increase of 114 (2.47%) from the previous week.

The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell slightly last week to a still-high 840,000, evidence that job cuts remain elevated seven months into the pandemic recession.

4,139 initial claims for the week of Sept. 27-Oct. 3 were by people who work and live in Iowa, while 591 by individuals who work in Iowa but live outside the state.

$14,767,817.35 in unemployment insurance benefits were paid out last week compared to $17,085,937.61 the previous week.

Continuing claims for the week were 51,666, a decrease of 6,753 (11.56%) from the previous week.

The following industries had the most claims, according to IWD:

  • Manufacturing (959)
  • Industry Not Available - Self-employed, Independent Contractors, etc (926)
  • Health Care & Social Assistance (374)
  • Construction (344)
  • Retail Trade (294)

Additional data released for last week:

  • $3,511,200.00 in Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) benefits was paid which were retroactive payments as the program ended July 25, 2020.  Since April 4, 2020, a total of $1,611,479,743.00 in FPUC benefits has been paid.
  • $4,264,291.55 was paid in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits. Since April 13, 2020, a total of $124,687,223.89 in PUA benefits has been paid.
  • $6,856,590.42 in benefits has paid in Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) benefits. Since May 27, 2020, a total of $85,511,060.46 in PEUC benefits have been paid. 
  • $1,208,553.49 in benefits paid out in State Extended Benefits. Since July 21, 2020, a total of $9,901,244.26 in Extended Benefits have been paid. 

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