Claims data from the state Department of Labor show nearly 157,000 claims have been filed since March 15, but more than 30,000 of those are duplicates.
unemployment
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
More than 20,000 Mainers have filed jobless claims under expanded eligibility program
A federal eligibility expansion implemented May 1 in Maine allows benefits to be paid to unemployed contractors, self-employed workers and others normally ineligible.
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Posted inEditorials, Opinion
Our View: Maine’s unemployment is part of a bigger problem
Historic job losses are occurring everywhere and won’t be slowed without intervention from Washington.
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion
The Maine Millennial: A waiting game for those of us unemployed by COVID
Relief is slow in coming for the people who have lost their jobs as a result of the global pandemic.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
New jobless claims surged by 16,000 last week as more workers qualified for benefits
Nearly 125,000 Mainers have now filed for unemployment benefits, roughly 18% of the state’s civilian labor force.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Maine officials seek changes, next steps for emergency loan program
The Paycheck Protection Program loans have been a godsend for many small businesses, but some business owners say fundamental flaws in the program make them unusable for their situations.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Maine labor commissioner defends state’s response to crush of unemployment filings
Facing complaints about denied claims and a lack of answers, Laura Fortman says the jump in filings was ‘unprecedented’ and she is hiring nearly 140 more workers to handle it.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State, News
Maine unemployment claims system faces lawmakers’ scrutiny
A committee will question Labor Commissioner Laura Fortman on Wednesday about complaints that workers have been denied benefits and been unable to find out why.
Posted inBusiness, Local & State
Lawmakers to address ‘serious problems’ with Maine’s unemployment system
The Legislature’s Labor and Housing Committee has asked Labor Commissioner Laura Fortman to attend a hearing Wednesday to discuss ways to ease logjams and improve staffing.
Posted inOp-Eds, Opinion
Bruce Poliquin: It’s time to start carefully reopening Maine
Get all hands on deck to process unemployment claims, open all of our state parks and let rural areas get back to normal life.