Continuing, initial UI claims down slightly over previous weeks

    Juneau, Alaska (KINY) - Initial claims for unemployment insurance in Alaska are down in recent weeks, but the numbers are still exceptionally high over this period last year.

    According to the Alaska Department of Labor & Workforce Development, for the week ending May 2, initial claims were down from the previous week at 7,807. This time last year saw only 711 claims. That equals an increase of 913 percent.

    Continuing claims stand at 50,971, a decrease of 1,078 from the previous week. The state saw only 7,280 ongoing claims at this point last year.

    An initial claim is counted when a person contacts the state through one of the established methods (online or by telephone) in an effort to start receiving unemployment insurance benefits.

    Continued claims are the total number of individuals who have certified through one of the established methods that they were unemployed for the week specified.

     

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