PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – Millions of people across the country have filed for unemployment benefits as businesses close due to the spread of the coronavirus.

South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation Secretary Marcia Hultman says they are accepting and processing claims as they wait for more information from the federal government.

Hultman says everyone that has their claims verified have to check into their system every week.

Hultman says the federal payments will be sent out the same as state benefits.

The $600 per week from the federal legislation is paid on top of the state benefit. The state has received over 6,600 claims over the past two weeks.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download