Washington Employment Security Commissioner Suzi LeVine speaks at a news conference in April.
A total 179 initial claim applications for unemployment benefits were reported in Lewis County the week of Sept. 20-26, according to new numbers out Thursday by the state Employment Security Department.
That’s roughly a 23-percent decrease compared to the week prior in the county, which experienced 232 initial applications. The number of initial claims remains high, and is about 167 percent higher than what was reported the same week in 2019.
The state as a whole saw a similar result this week, recording 17,734 initial claims — a 9.4-percent decrease compared to the week prior, according to an ESD news release.
Overall claims remained steady and high with new numbers out this week. A total 530,360 total claims were made, a small decrease from the week prior, and ESD paid out a total $775 million to 424,789 individual claims. The total number of individual claims being paid out remains at an elevated level.
“As we head into autumn, ESD has now paid out more than $11 billion to over one million Washingtonians since the COVID-19 job losses began in March,” ESD Commissioner Suzie LeVine said in a prepared statement. “The big jump this week was due to the delivery of benefits for the Lost Wages Assistance Program, which provided more than $625 million in much-needed funds to individuals and families across the state.”
More than $625 million of the $775 million paid out was due to the Lost Wages Assistance Program payment, according to ESD. Those benefits are limited to a six-week period between July 26 and Sept. 5 of this year, and only a limited number of funds are available through the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
“These additional funds to help unemployed workers are welcome — providing much-needed assistance to Washingtonians and their families during this crisis,” LeVine said.
Industries in Lewis County that reported the largest number of initial claims during the week ending Sept. 26 include building construction, specialty trade contractors, educational services, ambulatory health care and food services and drinking establishments.
