Where your family stands with unemployment claims filed in Nevada

We're taking a broad look at COVID-19's economic impact on individuals who have filed an unemployment insurance claim by breaking down the total number of claims made since the pandemic began and payments made by the State so far.

Gov. Steve Sisolak ordered all non-essential businesses in Nevada to close March 20, 2020 at midnight on Friday.

Since then, 434,388 unemployment insurance claims have been filed since the week ending March 21, 2020, according to Nevada's Department of Employment, Training, and Rehabilitation also known as DETR.

The number above does not include self-employed workers, gig-workers, 1099 workers, or independent contractors and others who do not qualify for u.i. insurance through the State of Nevada.

Only 17,522 people filed for unemployment during the same 8 week period in 2019 between the weeks ending in March 21 and May 9. The difference in is a 2,379 percent increase in claims this year.

Most people who filed a unemployment claim since March 9 were successful. The breakdown is 376,881 accepted applications versus 78,508 who are deemed not eligible to file.

Of those able to file 255,473 people have been paid, while 121,408 people have not.

The biggest problem is caused by a pending issued followed by individuals who simply did not refile a weekly claim, insufficient wages, and finally individuals who are employed, but not eligible.

Meantime, DETR Spokeswoman Rosa Mendez says 238 DETR workers are actively processing unemployment insurance claims as DETR Director Heather Korbulic hires 147 more workers.

Noah Bond's email sent May 5, 2020 to Governor Sisolak, Senator Rosen, and Senator Masto-

Gov. Sisolak shut down all non-essential businesses forcing many of these people out of work more than a month ago. The government mandate is causing financial problems for these individuals.

I want to know what specific actions you are both taking to fix these problems.

You can call me at (Noah's phone number).

Regards,

KOLO 8 News Evening Anchor

Noah Bond

Statement from Senators Rosen and Cortez Masto:

"The sheer volume of unemployment claims that are being filed is unprecedented. We're both working in Washington, D.C. to get the necessary support to local, state, and tribal governments to help hardworking Nevada families pay the bills and stay healthy during this pandemic. In developing the CARES Act, we were successful in authorizing several first-of-their-kind federal unemployment insurance programs, including ensuring all qualified workers get an additional $600 per week, and the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program that provides funding to assist self-employed workers, independent contractors, and gig workers. But now Congress needs to do more to ensure our states have the tools to get these programs off the ground. We're taking the voices of Debra, and every frustrated Nevadan with us to the Senate and we will continue to be their advocates to fix this problem and get relief to them, which is why we're pushing for technical assistance and additional funding to states so that they can build a more robust infrastructure to administer unemployment benefits for these new and important programs."