Unemployment compensation payments in Delaware since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic have moved past the $1.2 billion mark, the Delaware Department of Labor reported this week.
While more people have returned to work, the state still pays out more than $16 million a week in payments. The state’s unemployment rate was 6.5 percent in March.
The state’s unemployment insurance program receives a combination of federal funds and payments from employers and employees.
There have also been federal programs of short duration to supplement unemployment checks or cover the self-employed or others who are not part of the insurance system.
Federal funds used by Delaware have been used to shore up the unemployment insurance system, which offers a maximum $400 a week payment.
The state Labor Department has also been dealing with widespread fraud attempts. Employers have been receiving notices from the department for persons who never worked at businesses or organizations.
The numbers (Also see accompanying graphic)
- Claims Paid (Week Ending 4/17/21) – $16,227,300
- Total Claims Received (4/11/21 – 4/17/21) – 3,842
- Total Claims Received (3/15/20 – 4/17/21) – 206,333
- Total PUA Claims Received (Since 5/16/2020) – 14,444
- Total PUA Claims Paid (Since 5/16/2020) – 8,916
- Payments Made for PUA Claims (Since 5/16/2020) – $131,416,857
