4,791 initial unemployment claims were filed last week in Iowa, an increase of 576 (13.67%) from the previous week.
The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell last week to 751,000, the lowest since March, but it's still historically high and indicates the viral pandemic is still forcing many employers to cut jobs.
4,169 initial claims for the week of Oct. 18-24 were by people who work and live in Iowa, while 595 by individuals who work in Iowa but live outside the state.
$11,347,262.25 in unemployment insurance benefits were paid out last week, a decrease of $496,442.40 (4.19%) from the previous week.
Continuing claims for the week were 39,615, a decrease of 2,488 (5.91%) from the previous week.
The following industries had the most claims, according to Iowa Workforce Development:
- Manufacturing (912)
- Industry Not Available - Self-employed, Independent Contractors, etc (729)
- Construction (587)
- Health Care & Social Assistance (435)
- Accommodation & Food Services (284)
Additional data released for last week:
- $1,965,600 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 $1,618,254,943 in FPUC benefits have been paid.
- $3,642,354 paid out in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits. Since April 13, 2020, a total of $136,068,086.89 in PUA benefits have been paid.
- $8,049,299.68 in benefits paid in Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) benefits. Since May 27, 2020, a total of $108,959,012.07 in PEUC benefits have been paid.
- $1,539,743.02 paid out in State Extended Benefits (EB). Since July 21, 2020, a total of $14,180,369.90 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.