RI Jobless Claims Soar Amid Coronavirus Closures

PROVIDENCE, RI — More than 28,000 Rhode Islanders applied for unemployment last week, down slightly from the eye-watering 35,847 reported the week before. The new data comes as Gov. Gina Raimondo and Rhode Island Commerce are working to provide relief to the state's hard-hit small businesses.

On Friday, Raimondo extended the closure of dine-in service at restaurants across the state until at least April 13 in an effort to slow the spread of the new coronavirus. Just one day later, she announced a stay-at-home order that included the closure of all non-essential retailers.

With the state's economy temporarily "paused," unemployment claims have skyrocketed, with daily claim totals exceeding weekly numbers from the 2009 Great Recession, Raimondo said. Early in the state's coronavirus response, the governor issued an executive order extending unemployment benefits to those who are furloughed or in quarantine, waiving the seven-day waiting period to receive benefits.

Related: Rhode Island Coronavirus: Applying For Unemployment, Disability

Because of the high number of claims, the Department of Labor and Training is working overtime to get Rhode Islanders the assistance they need. To help keep the process moving smoothly, residents are asked to file their claims online unless they have no way to do so. Do not call the department to check on the status of a claim, Raimondo said, as doing so only slows the process for department employees. Most people can expect to receive their benefits approximately 10 days after they file.

Coronavirus in Rhode Island: Latest headlines

• Coronavirus: Cases Top 500 As RI Nears 1,000 Tests Per Day
• RI Drive-Thru Coronavirus Test Sites Operational: Photo Gallery
• RI Highway Crashes Plummet Amid Coronavirus Outbreak: Police
  
• 'You Are So Beautiful': RI Man Melts Hearts With Song For Wife
• Coronavirus RI: Trump Approves 'Major Disaster' Declaration
• Newport Church To Offer Drive-Up Palms Amid Coronavirus Closures