New Unemployment Claims Sharply Rise as Yearly Reapplications Begin

The Washington State Employment Security Department released it's weekly unemployment numbers for the week ending April 10th.

According to the ESD, initial regular unemployment claims were up 46% from the week prior, although there is a good explanation for the drastic increase. The rise was partly driven by claimants that applied for unemployment early in the pandemic and have reach the end of their benefit year, requiring them to reapply to continue receiving benefits.

However, the 4-week moving average for initial claims remains at similar levels to initial claims filed during the Great Recession.

All four local counties saw significant increases in claims week over week. Chelan County was up 69%, Douglas 73%, Grant 43% and Okanogan 26%.