The U.S. Department of Labor says jobless claims spiked to 281,000 last week after companies began layoffs to deal with issues stemming from the coronavirus pandemic.
More than 72,000 people have filed unemployment claims in Connecticut in the last week.
Since last Friday, more than 72,000 claims have come it, with more the number growing each day.
To put that into perspective, the state Department of Labor typically receives 2,500 claims on an average week.
Following is the breakdown of the new claims:
- 2,000 Friday (March 13)
- 8,000 Sat and Sun
- 10,000 Monday
- 10,000 Tuesday
- 12,000 Wednesday
- 14,000-plus Thursday
- 16,000 Friday
To respond to the claims, the department will continue to shift resources to devote more staff to processing new claims.
They said Gov. Ned Lamont has authorized the use of overtime for that reason.
Local
Unemployment pays roughly 50% of your weekly gross earnings over the previous 15 months, and benefits are for 26 weeks, unless an extension is made on the federal level.
The average weekly benefit is $376 and the maximum is capped at $649. Dependent credits of $15 for up to five children are also available.
Work search requirements have been waived as of Friday, March 20.
On Friday, the governor ordered all non-essential businesses in Connecticut closed. Exemptions are listed below:
- Grocery stores
- Gas stations
- Pharmacies
- Major construction projects underway
- Major manufacturing facilities, especially in the defense industry
For more FAQs from the Department of Labor, click here.
