‘Approaching a big financial shift’: Why York County, SC unemployment trend may hold.
York, Lancaster and Chester counties each recorded their lowest weeks of unemployment since COVID-19 spiked claims four months ago.
South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce data shows the tri-county area had 797 unemployment claims for the week ending July 4. York County alone had more than that for 10 straight weeks this spring. The reduction in claims follows a state trend ahead of federal assistance set to expire July 25.
The Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program provides $600 per week for the unemployed. In a statement with the data release Thursday morning, workforce department executive director Dan Ellzey said the expiration of that program will be significant.
“We are now approaching a big financial shift nationwide,” Ellzey said.
State employers, he said, have adapted as that shift approaches.
“Many South Carolina businesses are eagerly looking for workers,” Ellzey said. “They have created safe, healthy and, in many instances, virtual workplaces.”
York County had 509 unemployment claims the most recent week. Lancaster County had 190 claims. Chester County was the first to dip into double digit claims since coronavirus social distancing began, at 98.
The tri-county area now has had 34,408 total claims since mid-March. York County had 23,028 of them, compared to 7,465 for Lancaster County and 3,915 for Chester County.
South Carolina registered 16,062 unemployment claims the most recent week. That figure is down several times from the high point in April, and down almost 900 claims in a week. South Carolina has had more than 650,000 claims since mid-March.
More than $2.9 billion in benefits have gone to South Carolina residents through state and federal unemployment programs.
The May unemployment rate in York County was 12.5%. That figure puts the unemployed at almost 18,000 people. Lancaster County had 13.4% unemployment, or right at 5,600 unemployed. Chester County had 16.2% unemployment, or more than 2,200 unemployed.
