ATLANTA, GA — More than a third of Georgia’s pre-pandemic workforce has applied since March for unemployment, according to officials from Georgia’s Department of Labor.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported Thursday that Georgia processed almost a quarter-million claims for unemployment last week. Those numbers are up slightly from roughly 228,000 the week before, but far less than the peak of nearly 400,000 for the week ending on April 4.

That brings Georgia’s total to 1,850,767 claims since early March, or about the 37 percent of those working before the coronavirus pandemic forced business shutdowns and layoffs. The newspaper reports that this is much larger than the national average of about 22 percent.

Across the U.S., those who earn less than $40,000 a year appear to be hit hardest. According to The New York Times, a survey by the Federal Reserve shows that nearly 40 percent of workers in that income bracket who had jobs in March have lost their jobs by now. Nationally, about 36.5 million workers have filed unemployment claims in the last two months.

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“This is a very protracted, painful situation for the labor market,” Rubeela Farooqi, chief U.S. economist at High Frequency Economics, said to The New York Times. “I just don’t see anything positive.”

The dire job statistics come almost two weeks after Gov. Brian Kemp reopened some Georgia businesses despite the state not meeting White House guidelines for stemming spread of the coronavirus. On April 24, fitness centers, barber shops, hair salons, bowling alleys and other businesses were allowed to open their doors as long as appropriate social distancing and hygiene was practiced. Three days later, movie theaters were allowed to reopen, and restaurants could offer dine-in service.

Yet on May 12, Kemp extended Georgia’s state of emergency through mid-June and ordered that bars, nightclubs, amusement parks and performance venues stay closed through the end of the month.

The problem may be that customers still aren’t returning to businesses no matter how open they are. For example, the Associated Press reports restaurant reservations in Georgia are still 91 percent below pre-pandemic levels, according to Upwork, a website that connects businesses with contractors.

“Simply ending lockdowns is not going to be a panacea,” Adam Ozimek, Upworks chief economist, said to AP. “People aren’t going out because they don’t feel safe yet.”

How To Apply For Unemployment

The Georgia Department of Labor has temporarily suspended all in-person requirements for services. Residents are asked to conduct GDOL-related business online to protect everyone from potential exposure to COVID-19. Find instructions on the department’s website.

Filing an Unemployment Claim Online

You will need your:
• Social Security Number
• Georgia Driver’s License, if applicable
• Bank’s routing number and your account number (if you want to receive your benefit payments via direct deposit)
• Work history information for the last 18 months

Follow these steps:

1. Select the link labeled Apply for Unemployment Benefits on the GDOL Home page.
2. Answer the questions completely.
3. Download and read the Claimant Handbook. Information in this handbook provides detailed instructions regarding the unemployment insurance program and “Next Steps” to follow after submitting your claim.
4. Record your Confirmation Number. A confirmation email will be sent to the email address provided when completing the claim application. (If you do not receive a confirmation number, the application was not successfully completed. It remains on the system for 24 hours. Log in again and make sure you select FINISH to receive a confirmation number.)

After you file, your next steps are to:

1. Request your weekly benefit payment every week, starting the first Sunday after filing your claim by selecting Claim Weekly UI Benefits Payments on the GDOL Home page or calling the Interactive Voice Response System at 1.866.598.4164
2. Monitor your voicemail and email closely for messages from the GDOL.
3. Respond immediately to all requests for additional information.
4. GDOL will contact you if it is necessary for you to complete an Applicant Status Affidavit (DOL-1054A). You will not have to go to a career center.
a. Download and complete the affidavit in its entirety.
b. Mail the affidavit and an enlarged, legible copy of your valid government-issued picture identification to the career center you selected on your claim. Select Find a Career Center or use the address indicated in the email request.
If you have claimed a week of benefits and have not received your written determination of eligibility, Claims Examiner’s Determination within 21 days of the filed date, you may call UI Customer Service immediately at 404.232.3001 (in Metro Atlanta) or 1.877.709.8185 (in all other areas).

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