Unemployment

In Some States, Unemployment Stays Stubbornly High

Despite rebounds in some states, millions remain unemployed with no job prospects.

  • By Tim Henderson, Stateline

U.S. Unemployment Claims Fall to Under 700,000, Lowest Since Pandemic

More than 18.9 million people still are collecting benefits, but economists are confident hiring will pick up.

  • By Kate Elizabeth Queram

How One State Will Work With the Feds On a Major Tech Overhaul

Wisconsin has turned to a federal team of tech experts as the state seeks to revamp its antiquated unemployment computer system.

  • By Bill Lucia

States Debate Improvements to Unemployment Systems

Tech upgrades are bipartisan. Increased benefits are not.

  • By Sophie Quinton, Stateline

Justice Department Warns of Fake Unemployment Benefit Websites

It’s one more issue for jobless Americans and state workforce agencies to be concerned about.

  • By Brent Woodie

States Look to Forgive Unemployment Overpayments

Missouri lawmakers advanced a bill that would waive the federal but not state portion of any mistakenly paid unemployment benefits.

  • By Andrea Noble

Lawmakers Call for Federal Program to Upgrade Unemployment Systems

Many people filing for unemployment during the pandemic have experienced long delays. Subpar technology is one of the factors commonly blamed for problems.

  • By Bill Lucia

The Unemployment Rate You See in Headlines Ignores Millions of People Without Work—Here’s a Better Way to Tell How Many Need a Job

Correctly estimating how many people are without work isn't easy.

  • By Veronika Dolar, The Conversation

States Expect Delay of Federal Unemployment Payments

The late passage of the coronavirus relief package and new requirements for verifying benefits are complicating the rollout of payments by state unemployment agencies.

  • By Andrea Noble

Trump Signs $900 Billion Covid Relief Package

The law funds special unemployment programs and $600 stimulus payments, as well as providing aid to people who need help with rent, struggling transit, schools and businesses.

  • By Laura Maggi

Congressional Leaders Reach Deal on $900 Billion Covid Relief Package

The agreement reached Sunday does not include direct funding for state and local governments but does extend the amount of time they have to spend previously appropriated federal funds.

  • By Andrea Noble

Bipartisan Lawmakers Offer Two-Part Covid Relief Package

A $748 billion proposal would fund initiatives like unemployment insurance and the Paycheck Protection Program, while a separate $160 billion bill would provide state and local aid, but also a liability shield.

  • By Andrea Noble
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New Bill Proposes Stopping Unemployment Agencies That Make Mistakes From Demanding Money Back

State unemployment agencies have been demanding recipients repay thousands of dollars, even if the agency made the mistake and the money’s already been spent. After ProPublica investigated the practice, legislators are trying to end it.

  • By Ava Kofman, ProPublica

Hospitals, ICU Beds Reach Capacity Across U.S. as Pandemic Surges

STATE AND LOCAL ROUNDUP | DOJ investigates Kansas City’s contracting policies… cities expand pilot programs providing guaranteed income... Mississippi prisons deal with understaffing.

  • By Andrea Noble

Some States Train Jobless for Post-Pandemic Workforce

At least nine states are paying for short-term training.

  • By Sophie Quinton, Stateline

States Overpaid Millions in Unemployment and Now Demand People Pay It Back

States rushed to get unemployment benefits approved when the pandemic struck. Reviews are now identifying millions of dollars in overpayments that they want workers to repay.

  • By Andrea Noble

12 Million People to Lose Unemployment Benefits This Month When Federal Programs Expire

Federal safety net programs that have provided additional unemployment benefits for workers who lost their jobs during the coronavirus pandemic are set to end.

  • By Andrea Noble

Unemployment Payments Weeks Late in Nearly Every State

"It’s always the same story—‘It’s on somebody’s desk … they’ll let you know.’”

  • By Tim Henderson, Stateline

California’s Unemployment Backlog Grew to Over 1 Million Applications. Will Automation Speed Up Payments?

State unemployment agencies have started automating identity verification in the hopes of more quickly processing record numbers of new applications. But experts say more fixes to flawed systems are also necessary.

  • By Jacob Fischler

1-in-4 Adults Say Household Finances Deteriorated From March to September

New survey data from the Urban Institute presents these and other troubling findings about how many Americans are faring economically as the coronavirus pandemic wears on.

  • By Bill Lucia

Filing for Unemployment Doesn’t Have to Be So Terrible

State unemployment systems were overwhelmed by filings during the pandemic. A new report lays out basic steps states can take to make the claims process easier for users.

  • By Andrea Noble