Unemployment claims in Maine drop for third straight week

AUGUSTA (WGME) -- Last week, about 7,400 new Mainers filed for unemployment benefits. This is the lowest number of initial claims in the last six weeks, but the level remains historically high, according to the Maine Department of Labor.

In total, nearly 73,000 people filed their weekly benefits, and the department paid out $59.7 million in unemployment benefits for the week ending April 25.

Maine labor officials making changes to help people claim unemployment benefits

This included payments of the weekly additional $600 created by the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program. Since March 15, the department has paid over $200 million in benefits to eligible Mainers.

Continued claims for the week totaled 72,900, the highest number on record and more than twice the peak number in early 2009 during the last recession, according to the department. Continued claims are up from 66,500 the prior week.

The largest number of claims in the six weeks were in food services and lodging, healthcare and social assistance, retail trade, manufacturing, and entertainment and recreation sectors.

The department says there have been about 108,500 initial claims in the past six weeks (from March 15 to April 25), matching the total for the previous 147 weeks through March 14 (nearly three years).

Mainers receiving unemployment benefits will see additional $600

The Maine Department of Labor will begin accepting applications for the new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program at 8 a.m. Friday, May 1. People whose claim does not require further review should begin receiving benefits with seven days of filing.

To apply, claimants under PUA should do the following:

• If you have already applied for benefits and been denied due to insufficient earnings, do NOT reapply. Your claim is in the system and will automatically transfer to PUA. Continue filing your weekly certification.

• If you are self-employed, filed a claim before PUA became available and received a denial; you, do not need to refile an initial PUA claim, you will be enrolled in PUA but will need to file weekly PUA claims. If you have any outstanding weekly claims to be filed, these will be identified on your PUA monetary determination and you will be advised to file those claims. The system will allow you to file for the weeks noted.
  

• If you are self-employed and have not yet filed a claim, CLICK HERE and fill out the streamlined application form for PUA. Submit your weekly certification each week thereafter.
  

• If you are NOT self-employed and have not yet filed an initial claim under any unemployment program, you need to file a regular unemployment claim first to determine if you are eligible. If you are determined ineligible, your claim will be automatically converted to a PUA claim.
  

The Maine Department of Labor recommends that people file their claims online with a computer as opposed to a smartphone and do so in the evening when internet traffic is less.

'It's just call and hang up and call again:' Workers struggle to file for unemployment

The department has implemented an alphabetical call in schedule to help reduce phone line congestion as the Department ramps up its capacity to receive and process claims. Last names beginning with A-H should call on Monday, I-Q on Tuesday; and R-Z on Wednesday. Thursday and Friday are left unassigned for those who miss their alphabetical day or need to call at that time.

As the department continues to expand the number of people taking calls, the call-in hours have been extended to 8 a.m. - 3 p.m. Those who are unable to connect with a claims representative by calling 1-800-593-7660 before 3 p.m. Monday through Friday should submit a message HERE.