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State says over 1 million people on unemployment

Posted at 2:55 PM, Apr 27, 2020
and last updated 2020-04-27 17:24:21-04

LANSING, Mich. — There are now 1,018,315 Michigan workers receiving unemployment funds from the state due to the coronavirus.

The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) has disbursed over $1.66 billion in payments since March 15, the agency said today.

Between March 15 and April 18, 1,178,021 Michiganders filed unemployment claims, according to the most recent U.S. Department of Labor report.

The state said most workers who haven't received unemployment benefits will be eligible "in the coming weeks," once they complete the federal requirement to certify their claim.

“We are working hard to provide emergency financial assistance to those affected by COVID-19,” said Jeff Donofrio, director, Michigan Dept. of Labor and Economic Opportunity.

“While Michigan’s unemployment system appears to be outpacing the rest of the country in paying benefits, much work remains for those who still need help completing their claim. We will not rest until everyone receives the benefits they are entitled to.”

For the week ending April 18, the unemployment agency received 134,119 unemployment claims.

In the weeks before the pandemic, the state said it received about 5,000 weekly unemployment claims. During the Great Recession, the weekly high was around 77,000 in 2009.

Recent unemployment claims

Week ending March 21: 128,806

Week ending March 28: 304,335

Week ending April 4: 388,554

Week ending April 11: 222,207

Week ending April 18: 134,119

Five-week total: 1,178,021