6,601 initial unemployment claims were filed last week in Iowa, an increase of 1,949 (41.9%) from the previous week.
The number of people seeking U.S. unemployment aid rose slightly last week to 870,000, a historically high figure that shows that the viral pandemic is still squeezing restaurants, airlines, hotels and many other businesses six months after it first erupted.
5,912 initial claims for the week of Sept. 13-19 were by people who work and live in Iowa, while 689 by individuals who work in Iowa but live outside the state.
$17,761,637.89 in unemployment insurance benefits were paid out last week.
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Continuing claims for the week were 63,291, a decrease of 2,131 (3.28%) from the previous week.
The following industries had the most claims, according to IWD:
- Manufacturing (1,483)
- Construction (1,043)
- Industry Not Available - Self-employed, Independent Contractors, etc (970)
- Health Care & Social Assistance (440)
- Accommodation & Food Services (416)
Additional data released for last week:
- $3,981,000 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 $1,604,382,343 in FPUC benefits has been paid.
- $4,272,802.69 paid in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits
- $5,727,140.83 in benefits paid in Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC). Since May 27, 2020, a total of $72,563,697.32 in PEUC benefits have been paid.
- $1,082,962.31 in benefits paid in State Extended Benefits. Since July 21, 2020, a total of $7,586,455.32 in Extended Benefits have been paid.
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