State sees big jump in number of unemployment claims

PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – The South Dakota Department of Labor and Regulation has seen a big jump in the numbers of claims for unemployment benefits.

A total of 6,645 initial claims were filed this week, well above last weeks total of 1,761.

Department Secretary Marcia Hultman says their call center is struggling to catch up.

She says they are now rolling over calls to their job service centers across the state to a pool of 69 more people.

Hultman says people can file online and so far that system has been pretty stable.

Hultman says people should see their first weekly payment in two weeks or less.

Hultman says those that are approved need to request payment each week and that can be done online or by calling into an automated service.

Hultman says they believe it’s an all-time record for unemployment claims.