There are now 1,018,315 Michigan workers receiving unemployment funds from the state due to the coronavirus.
The Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA) has disbursed over $1.66 billion in payments since March 15, the agency said today.
Between March 15 and April 18, 1,178,021 Michiganders filed unemployment claims, according to the most recent U.S. Department of Labor report.
The state said most workers who haven't received unemployment benefits will be eligible "in the coming weeks," once they complete the federal requirement to certify their claim .
“We are working hard to provide emergency financial assistance to those affected by COVID-19,” said Jeff Donofrio, director, Michigan Dept. of Labor and Economic Opportunity.
“While Michigan’s unemployment system appears to be outpacing the rest of the country in paying benefits, much work remains for those who still need help completing their claim. We will not rest until everyone receives the benefits they are entitled to.”
For the week ending April 18, the unemployment agency received 134,119 unemployment claims.
In the weeks before the pandemic, the state said it received about 5,000 weekly unemployment claims. During the Great Recession, the weekly high was around 77,000 in 2009.
Recent unemployment claims
Week ending March 21: 128,806
Week ending March 28: 304,335
Week ending April 4: 388,554
Week ending April 11: 222,207
Week ending April 18: 134,119
Five-week total: 1,178,021
Additional Coronavirus information and resources:
Click here for a page with resources including a COVID-19 overview from the CDC, details on cases in Michigan, a timeline of Governor Gretchen Whitmer's orders since the outbreak, coronavirus' impact on Southeast Michigan, and links to more information from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the CDC and the WHO.
View a global coronavirus tracker with data from Johns Hopkins University.
Find out how you can help businesses and restaurants struggling during the pandemic.
See complete coverage on our Coronavirus Continuing Coverage page.
