A Record 6.6 Million Americans File for Unemployment Benefits Amid Outbreak

Last week's claims doubled from previous week as layoffs mount

by Kenneth Terrell, AARP, April 2, 2020  Comments: 

En español | More than 6.6 million people filed new claims for unemployment benefits for the week that ended March 28, the U.S. Department of Labor reported Thursday morning. That number doubles the record 3.3 million people who applied for benefits the previous week, as the nationwide shutdowns intended to deter the spread of the new coronavirus have disrupted the finances of millions of American families and brought the world's largest economy to an abrupt halt.

"Similar to last week's unemployment claims numbers, today's report reflects the sacrifices American workers are making for their families, neighbors, and country in order to ‘slow the spread,’ “ Labor Secretary Eugene Scalia said in a statement announcing the numbers. Scalia also noted that the department is working to implement the employment benefits of recently enacted legislation, including expanded paid sick leave through the Families First Act and an additional $600 per week in unemployment benefits provided by the CARES Act. Scalia noted that the CARES Act “also contains significant incentives for businesses to retain workers and continue paying them, which will put businesses and workers in a better position to resume work and re-boot the economy once the virus is contained."