GA Unemployment Soars With 990% Jump In New Claims: Coronavirus

ATLANTA, GA — The number of Georgia residents applying for first-time unemployment benefits skyrocketed to 132,386 for the week ended March 28, about ten times the prior week's number of 12,140. That's a 990 percent increase in jobless claims as the effort to stop the spread of. the new coronavirus shuts down many businesses in the state.

More than 6.6 million Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week — doubling a record high set just one week earlier — a sign that layoffs are accelerating rapidly because of the new coronavirus, the Associated Press reported. (Find directions on how to apply for unemployment below.)

As of noon Thursday the state had two dozen more deaths caused by the virus in Georgia, the Georgia Department of Public Health said. The updated numbers reflect an increase of more than 700 cases from noon on Wednesday, bringing the total to 5,348 coronavirus cases, and 24 additional deaths, for a total of 163. There are currently 1,056 people hospitalized from coronavirus.

As coronavirus cases climbed, Gov. Brian Kemp ordered a statewide shelter-in-place order to go into effect beginning Friday. He also moved the remainder of this school semester for K-12 public schools to digital learning.

The statewide shelter-in-place order will be in place from Friday through April 13. This date is in line with the state's public health emergency order. While Kemp didn't give specifics, in other states and Fulton County similar orders mean gatherings are banned, residents should only shop for essential goods, and outdoor exercise should be done while maintaining a safe social distance.

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Some of last week's jobless claims are likely delayed filings from the previous week, when state offices that handle unemployment benefits were overwhelmed by a surge of online and telephone claims.

The accelerating layoffs have led many economists to envision as many as 20 million lost jobs by the end of April. That would be more than double the 8.7 million jobs lost during the Great Recession. The unemployment rate could spike to as high as 15 percent this month, above the previous record of 10.8 percent set during a deep recession in 1982, the Associated Press said.

More than two-thirds of the U.S. population is under stay-at-home orders, imposed by most U.S. states. That has intensified pressure on businesses, most of which face rent, loans and other bills that must be paid.

How To Apply For Unemployment

The Georgia Department of Labor is temporarily suspending all in-person requirements for services. Residents are asked to conduct GDOL-related business online to protect everyone from potential exposure to COVID-19. Find instructions on the department's website.

Filing an Unemployment Claim Online
You will need your:
• Social Security Number
• Georgia Driver’s License, if applicable
• Bank’s routing number and your account number (if you want to receive your benefit payments via direct deposit)
• Work history information for the last 18 months

Follow these steps:
1. Select the link labeled Apply for Unemployment Benefits on the GDOL Home page.
2. Answer the questions completely.
3. Download and read the Claimant Handbook. Information in this handbook provides detailed instructions regarding the unemployment insurance program and “Next Steps” to follow after submitting your claim.
4. Record your Confirmation Number. A confirmation email will be sent to the email address provided when completing the claim application. (If you do not receive a confirmation number, the application was not successfully completed. It remains on the system for 24 hours. Log in again and make sure you select FINISH to receive a confirmation number.)

After you file, your next steps are to:
1. Request your weekly benefit payment every week, starting the first Sunday after filing your claim by selecting Claim Weekly UI Benefits Payments on the GDOL Home page or calling the Interactive Voice Response System at 1.866.598.4164
2. Monitor your voicemail and email closely for messages from the GDOL.
3. Respond immediately to all requests for additional information.
4. GDOL will contact you if it is necessary for you to complete an Applicant Status Affidavit (DOL-1054A). You will not have to go to a career center.
a. Download and complete the affidavit in its entirety.
b. Mail the affidavit and an enlarged, legible copy of your valid government-issued picture identification to the career center you selected on your claim. Select Find a Career Center or use the address indicated in the email request.

If you have claimed a week of benefits and have not received your written determination of eligibility, Claims Examiner’s Determination within 21 days of the filed date, you may call UI Customer Service immediately at 404.232.3001 (in Metro Atlanta) or 1.877.709.8185 (in all other areas).

Latest coronavirus updates on Georgia Patch:

• GA Coronavirus: 24 New Deaths, Over 1,000 Hospitalized
• GA Coronavirus: Shelter-In-Place Order, School Year Finished
• Coronavirus In Georgia: What To Do If You Have Symptoms
• GA University Labs Aim To Complete 3K Coronavirus Tests Daily
• GA Healthcare Workers Fly To New York To Help: Coronavirus