State says ‘the money won’t run out’ as 23% of Pierce’s workforce files for benefits
The expected surge in new unemployment claims arrived last week as thousands of Washington state residents applied for expanded benefits brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.
A total of 137,605 people applied for initial unemployment benefits for the week ending April 25, according to the latest data from the state’s Employment Security Department. That’s a 67% jump from the previous weeks’ total.
Since the job losses from the pandemic began in early March, the employment department estimates 787,533 Washington residents have filed a claim, with 504,284 getting a payment.
In Pierce County, 16,680 people filed for an initial unemployment claim for the week ending April 25. That brings the total of those applying for benefits since March 21 to 106,327, which is 23.3% of the county’s February workforce.
Employment Security Commissioner Suzi LeVine said the department has received more initial claims in the past seven weeks than the previous 3.5 years combined. The expanded benefits include help under the federal CARES Act, which was offered in Washington starting Saturday, April 18.
“It is a truly staggering amount of people affected by this crisis. I am so sorry that we haven’t been able to provide everyone with relief when they need it, and we are working night and day to make sure that we do,” LeVine said in a news release accompanying the data. “We want to remind people; the money won’t run out and you won’t miss out. You will be paid all the benefits for which you are eligible.”
Health care and social assistance had the most job losses last week across the state, followed by retail trade and lodging/food service. Construction and manufacturing had fewer claims than the week before but remain at elevated levels.
This story was originally published April 30, 2020 at 11:31 AM with the headline "State says ‘the money won’t run out’ as 23% of Pierce’s workforce files for benefits."
