12,000 Georgia residents filed for unemployment last week amid coronavirus outbreak
As layoffs and temporary closings have continued to increase in Georgia and across the nation due to the effects of COVID-19, so has the number of unemployment claims being filed.
Claims processed in Georgia increased to 12,140 initial claims the week of March 15-21, up 6,695 from the previous week and up 7,958 from the same week in 2019, according to numbers released Thursday by the Georgia Department of Labor.
The state expects the number of claims to grow substantially in the coming weeks, with the Department of Labor already seeing a higher number of claims than were filed during the 2008-2009 recession.
The United States Department of Labor also reported a record number of unemployment filings on Thursday.
The increase in filings are mainly from workers in service industries, particularly accommodation and food services, according to the release.
The actual number of those unemployed by the COVID-19 pandemic is likely higher, as self-employed workers, contractors and others are not eligible for unemployment benefits in many states.
Also on Thursday, Governor Brian Kemp signed an executive order allowing GDOL Commissioner Mark Butler to issue two new emergency rules to address the economic crisis.
One of the rules extends the length of time an individual can collect benefits from 14 weeks to 26 weeks, while the other provides that the first $300 of wages earned in a week will not count against eligible unemployment benefits paid.
“For example, if an individual has been laid off and takes a part-time job, he/she can now make up to $300 during the week and still receive their full unemployment amount,” according to a GDOL press release.
According to the GDOL, employers are currently mandated to file partial claims on behalf of their full time and part time employees when they temporarily reduce work hours or there is no work available due to COVID-19. Those workers are expected to return to work when the emergency ends.
Employer-filed claims are being processed much quicker than employee-filed claims, the department says, resulting in employees receiving unemployment insurance benefit payments usually within 48 hours if filed electronically.
While GDOL offices are closed to the public, the GDOL is encouraging individuals and employers to conduct their business online and have compiled a list of links to help individuals and employers affected by COVID-19 with the process of filing claims.
This story was originally published March 27, 2020 at 6:00 AM.