The latest numbers from the department show it has paid out more than $3 billion in regular state unemployment benefits during the last 24 weeks. That’s more than during the last seven years combined. Eligible Georgians have received nearly 13 billion dollars in benefits since March 21st.
“I don’t believe anyone would have imagined that we would disperse more than $3 billion in regular state UI benefits in less than six months,” said Georgia Labor Commissioner Mark Butler. “It is a testament to my staff here at the GDOL who have processed more than 3.5 million claims. 92% of claimants who have been determined to be possibly eligible have received UI benefits.”
According to Butler, by mid-September, the Department of Labor expects to begin issuing a $300 supplement to people receiving unemployment who qualify. The funds are through the federal Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) program.
Georgia has qualified for all five weeks that states are eligible to apply for.
Individuals do not need to call or apply separately for this benefit. This additional payment automatically is issued to eligible claimants currently receiving state or federal unemployment benefits for the weeks ending Aug. 1, Aug. 8, Aug. 15, Aug. 22, and Aug 29.
The department says more unemployment claims were processed from March 21st through August 29th than in the last eight years combined. Butler says claims numbers have dropped below 100,000 for a sixth consecutive week.
