LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Nearly 385,000 people filed initial claims for unemployment in Michigan last week amid the economic fallout from the coronavirus pandemic, marking a third straight week of historically high claims.
More than 817,000 sought jobless benefits over the past three weeks, which was more than any state except California, which has about four times the population.
Michigan’s 3.6% unemployment rate is expected to skyrocket to 24% this quarter, according to University of Michigan economists. That would be higher than the 14.4% mark set during the Great Recession that lasted from 2007 to 2009 and the state’s previous peak of 16.4% in 1982.
The researchers forecast that Michigan’s payroll job count will fall by nearly 1.2 million this quarter, with nearly three-quarters of workers coming back to the job in the third quarter.
The state has been overwhelmed by a flood of unemployment applications, and some of those out of work have had trouble applying online or by phone.
The Unemployment Insurance Agency is adding staff - nearly quadrupling the call center workforce to 500 total by the end of the week - and expanding call center hours.
“I’m committed to make sure that every eligible Michiganders receives their unemployment benefits,” said Gov. Gretchen Whitmer. “I appreciate your patience.”
The Democratic governor on Thursday lengthened a stay-at-home order through April. It initially took effect on March 24.
“This is an unprecedented number of people that are looking for help,” she said, urging people to apply online. “We’re rebuilding the system. I think that we’ve gotten it in a pretty good place from what I understand.”
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