SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) - The number of South Dakotans applying for unemployment benefits continues to rise.
The South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation said Thursday that during the week of June 7-13 there were 1,006 initial weekly unemployment. That’s an increase from 880 initial weekly claims made the week prior.
The Argus Leader reports the state has received more than 53,000 initial claims for unemployment benefits since mid-March when layoffs began to steadily increase because of the coronavirus pandemic.
The labor department also processed 321 Pandemic Unemployment Assistance claims last week. That program provides up to 39 weeks of unemployment benefits to individuals who are self-employed, independent contractors, nonprofit and temporary employees r who otherwise would not qualify for regular unemployment.
State officials also processed 181 claims for Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation, which provides unemployment benefits to people who have exhausted their state and federal benefits.
Nationwide, there were 1.5 million initial weekly unemployment claims last week, which was a decrease of 58,000 from the week of May 31, according to the U.S. Department of Labor.
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