Chief of Staff Responds to Release of Initial Claims for Week Ending 5-16-20

Jamie Suber, Chief of Staff, speaks about this weeks’ release that shows 29,446 people filed their initial claim for unemployment insurance from May 10-May 16.

This is a slight decrease of 3,067 initial claims from the week prior.

In the last 9 weeks, the total number of initial claims has risen to 515,595 in South Carolina.

The agency has paid more than $1.35 billion in a combination of state UI benefits and CARES Act programs, FPUC ($600) and PUA.

PEUC will launch next week for folks who have exhausted their 20 weeks of state regular UI benefits. More information will be released on next steps!

5-16-20