Commissioner Laura Fortman with Maine Department Of Labor gives us an update on Maine’s Unemployment and Workforce
Overall, weekly unemployment claims continue to decrease, with about 1,800 fewer claims filed last week than the week before that. About 7,900 weekly certifications, or continued claims, were filed last week for state unemployment, with another 7,700 weekly certifications filed under PUA. In addition, about 14,300 weekly certifications were filed for the federal Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation program. Weekly certifications
Between March 15, 2020 and August 14, 2021, the Maine Department of Labor has paid out over $2.4 billion in federal and state unemployment benefits. Approximately $1.8 billion of the $2.4 billion was paid through federal unemployment programs.
Reminder: Federal unemployment benefits end on September 4, 2021. The Department recommends that claimants take advantage of CareerCenter services. CareerCenters host a variety of job fairs as well as one-on-one meetings with a consultant, to develop employment or training plans. The CareerCenter can be reached by email at MaineDOL.CareerCenter@maine.gov, by phone at 207-623-7981, or by live-chat at MaineCareerCenter.gov.
