Iowa jobless claims set another weekly record

By CBJ News Staff
news@corridorbusiness.com

The number of new unemployment claims in Iowa during the week ending Saturday broke all previous records, as companies affected by closing orders and other economic fallout from the coronavirus continued to lay off workers.

Iowa Workforce Development reports 58,453 workers filed initial unemployment claims between Sunday, March 22 and Saturday, March 28. The industry seeing the largest claim was the category including hotel, restaurant and bar employees.

The industry totals for new claims was as follows:

• Accommodation and Food Services (12,519)
• Health Care and Social Assistance (7,490)
• Manufacturing (7,168)
• Retail Trade (5,888)
• Other Services (3,780)

Unemployment claims for the previous week also set a record, at 41,890.

A total of $13.72 million in unemployment insurance benefits were paid for the week ending on March 27.

The state continues to process claims in a timely manner, according to a news release, however an “unprecedented level of calls” may result in phone wait times of more than 15 minutes. Claimants are advised to remain on the line because 80 percent of the calls are being answered by the 4:30 p.m. end of daily business. Claimants may also email uiclaimshelp@iwd.iowa.gov. CBJ