Maine has now paid out more than $1 billion in unemployment benefits during the coronavirus pandemic.

State labor officials announced Thursday morning that about 2,800 initial claims for traditional state unemployment benefits were filed last week. Another 2,300 initial claims were filed for Federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance.

The Maine Department of Labor says it paid out more than $1 billion in federal and state unemployment benefits between March 15 and July 4.

Labor officials continue to investigate unemployment imposter fraud. The department says last week it cancelled about 400 initial claims and 2,400 weekly certifications that were determined to be fraudulent.

From the week ending May 30 through the week ending July 4, the state has cancelled roughly 25,000 initial claims and more than 46,000 weekly certifications.

The state has also reinstated almost 11,600 legitimate claims that had been flagged for potential fraud.