PROVIDENCE – Pandemic unemployment-assistance filings fell for the third straight week, to 3,840, the R.I. Department of Labor and Training reported on Tuesday.
Last’s week’s filings raised the total to 363,172. In the week prior, PUA filings in the Ocean State totaled 4,712. The federally backed program covers individuals typically eligible for unemployment benefits, such as small-business owners and contractors.
The state said 37,201 people received PUA benefits last week. Additionally, there were 6,041 COVID-19-specific unemployment insurance claims last week in Rhode Island, a decline from 7,425 from the week prior.
To date, there have been 278,971 COVID-19-related UI filings in the state. Regular UI filings totaled 2,908 last week, RIDLT said.
There were 12,789 people in Rhode Island who claimed some form of unemployment, including PUA, for the week ending Dec. 27.
Also, there were 218 COVID-19-related Temporary Disability Insurance and Temporary Caregiver Insurance filings last week, a decrease from 399 one week prior. All COVID-19-related TDI filings total 19,562 to date.
James Bessette is the PBN special projects editor, and also covers the nonprofit and education sectors. You may reach him at Bessette@PBN.com. You may also follow him on Twitter at @James_Bessette.
