PIERRE, S.D. (DRG News) – Last week (April 5-11), over 6,100 (6,152) initial weekly claims for unemployment benefits were filed with the South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation.

Gov. Kristi Noem says it’s a decrease of almost 2,000 claims from the week before, but still historic numbers for the state.

Unemployment claimants who have been placed on a temporary layoff related to COVID-19 must return to work if they are called back to remain eligible for benefits. However, if a claimant is called back but not working as many hours as they had been, they may continue to file a weekly request for payment and possibly receive a partial benefit.

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