Iowa sees uptick in new, continuing unemployment claims

Iowa Workforce Development saw increases in new and continuing unemployment claims in the week ending May 15, according to its website.

New claims increased from 3,290 to 4,131, and continuing claims increased from 25,714 to 26,901. It marks the first time new and continuing claims both rose since the week ending Feb. 6.

Locally, Linn County’s new claims remained at 293 in the week ending May 15, and Johnson County’s new claims increased from 176 to 180.

It’s unclear how many Iowans filed for federal unemployment benefits, which include an additional $300 per week.

When Iowa Workforce Development also reported the number of Iowans receiving Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation, there were more than 14,000 claims that were not counted as part of the state’s new and continuing claims.

Self-employed and independent contractors were the largest source of new claims with 622, followed by manufacturing with 515, accommodation and food services with 316 and construction with 307.

IWD has not said how much money it issued in unemployment benefits for the week. The state agency did not respond to requests by The Gazette on Thursday and Friday for unemployment information.

These numbers are preliminary and are yet to be adjusted by the U.S. Department of Labor. They also only include people actively seeking work and therefore do not necessarily give a full picture of how many people are out of work.

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