COLUMBUS – In an encouraging sign that the state’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic shutdown may be resuming, the number of Ohioans filing first-time unemployment claims fell to its lowest number in six months.
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services reported that 23,117 workers filed initial claims for jobless benefits plummeted to 23,117 during the week that ended on April 10, less than half the number the week before and 80% fewer than the number a month ago.
A total of 431,875 Ohioans filed traditional and extended unemployment claims, and federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits for workers who usually do not qualify for benefits.
The number of continued claims fell 6% last week from the week before.
Nationally, the number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell sharply last week to 576,000, a hopeful sign that layoffs are easing as the economy recovers from the pandemic recession.