PROVIDENCE – COVID-19-related unemployment insurance claims increased by 1,435 on Monday, the most since April 25, to 172,169, according to the R.I. Department of Labor and Training.
The filings on Monday marked a sharp spike in filings. For comparison, the previous seven days of COVID-19 UI filings averaged 404.1 filings per day. Monday’s increase was attributed to a rise of those utilizing the the state’s WorkShare program. The program allows employers to reduce the work hours of a large group of employees. Employees affected, in turn, are eligible to receive a portion of their regular unemployment insurance benefits to compensate for their lost wages.
Rhode Island’s executive branch has 1,366 employees participating in the WorkShare program, the R.I. Department of Administration told PBN on Tuesday.
The program for state employees would allow them to work 60% of their regular weekly hours, or three days — from June 14 through Sept. 5. The program allows the state to tap into federal relief funds, with workers becoming eligible for the $600 weekly unemployment benefit provided through a stimulus by the federal government — for the two days they aren’t working. That additional federal money, however, is scheduled to expire in July.
The participation is expected to save Rhode Island $10.5 million, including $7.3 million in salary savings and $3.2 million in benefits. Of the $10.5 million, roughly $5 million will be general revenue savings.
Participants of the program are from the state’s general offices, the R.I. Department of Education, as well as from state colleges and universities. It does not include the Legislature or the Judiciary.
Under the WorkShare rules, employees would have to have permanent status and be eligible for unemployment benefits.
Pandemic unemployment assistance filings increased by 553 day to day, to 67,984. The federally backed program covers small-business owners, the self-employed and contractors.
All initial unemployment filings in the state since March 9 total 253,153.
COVID-19 related Temporary Disability Insurance filings increased by seven on Monday, to 13,659. All TDI filings since March 9 total 25,730.
(ADDS paragraphs 3-7 with state employee data).
