Unemployment Trust Fund Payments Similar to Last Week; Derecho Likely to Blame for Increase in Continuing Claims

August 27, 2020

Iowa Workforce Development (IWD) announced there were 6,954 initial unemployment claims filed by individuals for the week of Aug. 16-22. There was approximately $23.2 million paid out of the state unemployment trust fund, which is about $200,000 less than the week prior. The number of continuing unemployment claims was 84,248, which is an increase of 1,860 claims fewer than last week. The increase in claims is likely due to the derecho that struck Iowa a few weeks ago. The top sectors that saw the most initial claims filed included manufacturing (1,897); those not identified by industry including the self-employed, independent contractors, etc. (849); and health care and social assistance (642).