Nearly 4,000 file for unemployment in York County in two weeks. Here’s the latest.
More than 3,000 tri-county residents filed unemployment claims in a week, as the COVID-19 coronavirus continues its impact on the economy.
Advance figures for initial, intrastate unemployment insurance claims for the week that ended March 28 show a more than 108% increase across South Carolina compared to just the week prior. Claims are up more than 3,000% in two weeks.
Of the 64,856 total claims statewide, the tri-county area had 3,246. York County accounted for 2,328 claims, eighth most in the state. Lancaster County added 639 claims. Chester County had 279. The tri-county area made up 5% of all claims statewide.
The initial claims data reflects people who applied, not necessarily people who were approved for benefits. The figures also reflect only people who both live and work in South Carolina. York and Lancaster counties in particular have large segments of their population that work in North Carolina.
The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce, which released the claims data on Thursday, attributes the spike to economic impacts from the COVID-19 coronavirus. Just days ago the department released data through February that showed record employment and labor force expansion. State unemployment through February sat at 2.5%.
Even in releasing those February figures March 27, employment and workforce department director Dan Ellzey knew change had arrived.
“While February’s numbers show a continuing trend from 2019 and January of this year, we know that the release of March’s numbers on April 17, 2020 will be of great interest,” Ellzey said in a statement.
The department has an online self-service portal and an information hub, plus an entirely online claims process. The department also provides information on companies that have a demand for more workers during the pandemic.
“Most of all,” Ellzey said in the statement, “we want individuals and employers to know that we are here to help you during this tumultuous time. Thank you for your continued patience as our agency and our dedicated staff continue to rise to the need for the great state of South Carolina.”
Thursday’s data release comes a week after a 1,600% filing increase in the first major week of obvious coronavirus impact. York County had 1,404 intrastate claims for the week ending March 21, followed by Lancaster County and 307 and Chester County at 153 claims.
Data for the week ending March 21 also showed almost 800 claims from people who live in South Carolina but work outside the state, up 800% in that week. Interstate data wasn’t provided Thursday morning for the most recent week.
Department data shows 58% of tri-county workers also live in York, Lancaster or Chester counties. Another 29% work outside those counties and 13% work here but live elsewhere. Among commuters out of the area, three quarters of them work in Mecklenburg County.
Further statement from Ellzey is expected Thursday on the weekly claims data.
Check back for more.
This story was originally published April 2, 2020 at 12:19 PM.
