State sees another increase in unemployment claims

A high number of claims for unemployment benefits were processed by the state Department of Labor and Regulation last week.  Department Secretary Marcia Hultman said Thursday that last week, a total of close to 54-hundred claims were processed.  She said that there is a reason why last week’s number was higher.

Hultman said the six week total for unemployment claims is at more than 32-thousand.  She said in a normal year, the state would see around 11-hundred claims during this same span of time.  

Hultman said that those receiving unemployment benefits need to be aware of some things going forward.

Hultman said that workers who had been placed on temporary layoff related to COVID-19, but refuse to return to work when recalled by their employer will lose their unemployment insurance benefits.  She said that there are some exceptions to that.

Hultman said that if people have questions about returning to work, they need to be communicating with their employer to make sure they are following the CDC guidelines and precautions.