LA UNEMPLOYMENT DUE TO CORONAVIRUS MITIGATION - With the closure of several businesses in the hospitality industry due to the Coronavirus mitigation measures mandated by the state, thousands of Louisianans will likely be facing unemployment. Yesterday The Louisiana Workforce Commission released new policies which may make more people eligible for unemployment insurance.
At a press conference yesterday, Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Dejoie made the announcement explaining the new unemployment benefit policies.
There has been a spike in calls to Louisiana’s Workforce Commission offices. According to Dejoie - 3,600 people had called about first-time or continuing
unemployment between Monday and Tuesday, compared to 1,698 initial unemployment claims for the week ending March 7th. The sheer number of first-time filers has caused the website to crash a few times. Dejoie said this experience is unusual for her agency.
Dejoie said anyone who files an initial claim by Saturday and says they lost work because of the coronavirus will receive their first unemployment check in three to five days. Normally, there is a one-week waiting period, but claims are being reviewed immediately. The maximum weekly benefit is $247. Twenty-five new staff members have been placed to help handle the volume of phone calls and office hours have been extended to 7 p.m. To file an initial claim, go to louisianaworks.net/hire.
For unemployment insurance eligibility information click: www.laworks.net