VA, DC Coronavirus-Related Unemployment Claims Drop Slightly

VIRGINIA/DC — A smaller number of Virginia and D.C. residents filed claims for unemployment benefits last week, mirroring a national trend of fewer unemployment claims for the week ending April 11, according to U.S. Department of Labor data. But large numbers of people in the region are still applying for unemployment benefits with the coronavirus crisis keeping much of the region shuttered.

In Virginia, 106,723 people filed unemployment claims for the week ending April 11, down from 147,369 initial claims for the week ending April 4. In D.C., 9,904 residents filed unemployment claims compared to 15,329 for the week ending April 4.

The coronavirus crisis has produced one of the worst economic collapses in the United States since the Great Depression.

Nationwide, more than 5.2 million Americans filed unemployment insurance claims last week, bringing the total number of claims for unemployment benefits since mid-March to more than 22 million, according to the Labor Department.

The number of unemployment claims on a national level also was down slightly. A week earlier, for the week ending April 4, about 6.6 million people applied for unemployment insurance. For the week ending March 28, 6.9 million people applied for unemployment insurance across the nation.

California continues to have the most people seeking unemployment benefits. For the week ending April 11, 661,000 people in California applied for unemployment benefits. A week earlier, 1.4 million people in the state filed for unemployment benefits.

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Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam on Wednesday extended his shutdown order for certain non-essential businesses, which initially was set to expire April 23, until May 8. A separate stay-at-home order for Virginia residents is in effect through June 10.

With the order's extension, Northam continued the ban on dining-in at restaurants and the closure of recreational, entertainment, hair care and other types of businesses where people come into close contact. The ban on gatherings of more than 10 people also will remain in place.

Northam said the state will continue to monitor health data to determine what needs to happen on May 8. Virginia's stay-at-home order, a separate order issued March 30, is scheduled to remain in effect through June 10.

In D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser signed an executive order Wednesday that extended the District's public health emergency due to the coronavirus by three weeks. The order goes into effect immediately and affects all previous orders Bowser has issued during the emergency.

"We're extending everything, bars, restaurants, mass gatherings, modified government operations, schools," Bowser said, during a Wednesday morning press briefing. "Stay at home. So all of the mayor's previous orders that we responded to COVID-19 will be extended to May 15."

How To File VA Unemployment Claim

There are two primary steps to receiving unemployment insurance. First you must file an application to establish or reopen a claim. If you are out of work due to the coronavirus crisis then you will select "Lack of Work" as the reason for separation. Secondly, you access the program each week to claim unemployment insurance payment.

You should file your application or reopen your previous claim by visiting our website at www.vec.virginia.gov. This method is the preferred way to access the unemployment insurance application during this time of very heavy claim activity.

If you used the online system previously, the user name and passwords will remain the same.

You may file your claim through the Customer Contact Center by calling 866-832-2363. (Monday through Friday 8:15am to 4:30pm.) If you must file by telephone, continue to call back if lines are busy.

DC Unemployment Claims

Visit the DC Department of Employment Services website for links to applications forms. You can also call 202-724-7000.

Virginia is still not accepting unemployment applications yet from self-employed workers.

Latest coronavirus updates on DC and Virginia Patch:

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