SE Iowa News

Like many other states in the nation, Iowa recently broke a record of unemployment in their state, as COVID-19 cases continue to rise. 

According to KHQA, on April 9, Iowa’s unemployment rate reached 67,334, the Iowa Workforce Development announced, while the number of weekly unemployment claims remains 92,962. 

Iowa’s decision to close non-essential businesses to help slow the spread of the coronavirus led to inevitable injuries of jobs. 

The U.S. Department of Labor reported that 6.6 million people throughout the nation filed for unemployment benefits in early April. 

Some of the highest concentrations of job losses according to the Iowa Workforce Development were in the retail, manufacturing and health care/social assistance industries. 

Health care and social assistance job losses totaled 9,632, manufacturing job losses totaled 9,218, retail trade losses have totaled 8,088, accommodations and food service job losses totaled 7,123 and construction job losses have reached 2,696.

From March 15 to April 4, unemployment claims were broken down as follows:

Accommodations and food service unemployment claims total 35,622

Health care and social assistance unemployment claims total 22,794

Manufacturing unemployment claims total 18,822

Retail trade unemployment claims total 16,147

As a way of helping the local small businesses impacted by the spread of the novel coronavirus, Gov. Kim Reynolds (R) announced that she is offering a grant program to those small companies that are struggling. 

While the Iowa Workforce Development is working diligently to aid those calling the agency for help, inquirers should be aware that the wait times are long due to the high call volume. 

Iowa Workforce Development Director, Beth Townsend, explained the process. 

“We may not get to you as quickly as we normally would, but we will get to you and more important, we will get your claims paid,” Townsend said at a news conference.

Individuals are invited to email their questions to uiclaimshelp@iwd.iowa.gov.