PROVIDENCE – Pandemic unemployment insurance weekly initial filings climbed by a record 35,921, the R.I. Department of Labor and Training said on Tuesday.
PUA filings in the state totaled 23,322 one week prior. To date, Rhode Island PUA filings have totaled 241,518. The federally created and backed program covers those typically ineligible for unemployment benefits, including gig workers, contractors and small-business owners.
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The DLT said that there were 53,316 individuals who received PUA benefits last week in Rhode Island.
When asked last week about the rise in recent PUA filings, the DLT said that there may be several factors driving the increase, such as people who recently learned they were eligible, existing claimants reapplying, as well as potential fraud. The department did not provide figures on how many filings may be fraudulent, citing an ongoing investigation. The department urged anyone who believes they are the target of potential unemployment fraud to contact the R.I. State Police on their website, or to contact the DLT investigations inbox at dlt.investigations@dlt.ri.gov.
There were also 4,069 initial filings for COVID-19-related unemployment insurance last week, an increase from 3,514 one week prior. To date, COVID-19-related UI filings total 210,174.
Regular UI filings totaled 1,052, relatively level with one week prior.
In total, there were 104,034 Rhode Islanders that claimed some form of unemployment benefit in the state, including PUA, for the week ended Aug. 28.
Since March 9, Rhode Island has seen 475,324 initial unemployment filings of all types.
There were also 109 COVID-19 related Temporary Disability Insurance and Temporary Caregiver Insurance filings last week, a decline from 134 one week prior. All COVID-19-related TDI filings have totaled 14,883 to date.
Chris Bergenheim is the PBN web editor. You may reach him at Bergneheim@PBN.com.
