AUGUSTA, Maine (WGAN) Nearly 1,800 initial claims for state and federal unemployment benefits were filed in Maine last week, down from 2,100 the week before.

The Maine Dept. of Labor said Thursday that it paid out $1.35 billion in federal and state unemployment benefits between March 15 and Aug. 8. They paid out less than $74 million in benefits in all of 2019.

The department is still carefully reviewing each claim as it investigates unemployment imposter fraud. About 4,600 initial claims and weekly certifications were cancelled because they were fraudulent.

The department reminds claimants that individuals who are permanently separated from their previous employer were required to start engaging in work search activities this week.