More than 47,000 people filed for unemployment in Michigan in the week ending May 9, bringing the state total to more than 1.7 million people in the state who have filed for unemployment insurance, according to recently released data from the U.S. Department of Labor.
According to the data, 47,438 people in Michigan filed for unemployment insurance in the state in the week ending May 9, down nearly 20,000 claimants from the previous week. Nearly 3 million people filed nationally.
Since March 15, the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, more than 1,717,555 claimants have filed for unemployment insurance in Michigan, according to an update from the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency. More than $5.6 billion has been paid to roughly 1.3 million workers, with 92 percent of eligible claimants either receiving benefits or being approved to receive benefits.
A little more than 64,000 workers have been determined ineligible to receive unemployment benefits.
Michigan was also among the first states to begin sending Pandemic Unemployment Compensation, which is an additional $600 in financial aid from coronavirus relief bill sent in addition to unemployment insurance from the state. The extra aid is entirely funded at the federal level.
“While we appear to be outpacing most other states in paying benefits and processing claims, our focus remains on helping those who still need one on one assistance to receive benefits,” said Dept. of Labor and Economic Opportunity Director Jeff Donofrio in a statement. “No one will lose a dollar of benefit they are eligible for and we will not rest until everyone gets the benefits they deserve.”
Michigan is currently in stage three of Gov. Gretchen Whitmer’s MI Safe Start Plan, meaning that outdoor work, construction, real estate and manufacturing businesses are allowed to open. Many businesses, including retail, restaurants and offices, are still either entirely closed down or limited.
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Jordyn Pair is a reporter with The Michigan Star. Follow her on Twitter at @JordynPair. Email her at [email protected].
