Hawkeye Reporter

As COVID-19 continues to spread across the globe and the United States, the percentage of unemployed individuals is steadily growing. 

According to The Courier, as of April 3, more than 100,000 Iowans had filed for unemployment benefits after losing their jobs. The common denominator of all these newly unemployed Americans is COVID-19 and cuts being made at their places of employment. 

“Initial claims in Iowa reported by the U.S. Department of Labor, filed between Sunday and Saturday last week, hit a record 58,453. There were 55,963 initial claims by individuals who work and live in Iowa, and 2,490 claims by individuals who work in Iowa and live out of state," The Courier reported. 

Additionally, the Iowa Workforce Development reported $13,724,986 of unemployment benefits paid out to claimants by the end of March 27.

Industries that have been most impacted by the virus are accommodation and food service.

According to The Courier’s report, Americans who have filed for unemployment reached roughly 6.6 million as of April 3. 

While the amount of benefits for individuals varies a good deal, those with four dependents can expect $591 per week while those without dependents will be given $481 per week.

Iowans who continue to be in dire situations, financially speaking, are waiting for the $2.2 trillion benefits package to be rolled out, which will give every American taxpayer under a certain pay scale $1,200 dollars. 

Claimants can only remain eligible for 26 weeks of unemployment benefits, though the number of weeks can be extended by the claimant working part time and reporting their wages, though the unemployment benefits will be decreased. 

The Iowa Workforce Development officials are continually working to grant unemployment benefits promptly, though the increased demand will impact their ability to fulfill applications quickly. 

Claimants should expect a wait of several weeks.