IOWA, USA — Text FACTS to 515-457-1026 for the latest coronavirus coverage.
6,544 initial unemployment claims were filed last week in Iowa, an increase of 1,653 from the previous week, according to Iowa Workforce Development.
National unemployment benefit applications rose to 1.1 million last week after two weeks of declines, evidence that many employers are still slashing jobs as the coronavirus bedevils the U.S. economy.
5,828 initial claims for the week of Aug. 9-15 were by people who work and live in Iowa, while 716 were by individuals who work in Iowa but live outside the state.
$23,465,906.17 in unemployment insurance benefits were paid out last week.
Continuing claims for the week were 83,610, a decrease of 1,144 from the previous week.
The following industries had the most claims, according to IWD:
Manufacturing (1,664)
Industry Not Available - Self-employed, Independent Contractors, etc. (887)
Health Care & Social Assistance (608)
Construction (449)
Accommodation & Food Services (429)
FEMA has approved Iowa’s application to participate in the “Lost Wages Assistance” program, IWD notes.
Iowans whose unemployment is the result of the pandemic, and who are eligible for at least $100 in benefits each week, will qualify for an additional $300 in weekly benefits retroactive to the week ending Aug. 1
Track initial unemployment claims in Iowa over time
Additional data released for last week:
- $7,881,600 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 $1,580,831,143 in FPUC benefits has been paid.
- $4,412,626 paid in Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) benefits
- $3,912,116.39 in benefits paid in Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) benefits. Since May 27, 2020, a total of $47,359,562.67 in PEUC benefits have been paid.