New unemployment claims reach 4.4 million in a week

At least 26 million Americans are now jobless as another 4.4 million file new unemployment claims in a week – wiping out 16% of the workforce and an entire decade of post-Great Recession job gains in just five weeks

• There were 4.4 million new claims for unemployment benefits filed last week, according to the latest Labor Department figures released on Thursday
• It adds to the nearly 22 million people who applied for unemployment aid in the previous four weeks 
• The staggering number of first time claims represents by far the largest streak of US job losses on record 
• The latest jobless claim figures show the coronavirus has now wiped out all of the job growth since the Great Recession 
• Here’s how to help people impacted by Covid-19

By Emily Crane For Dailymail.com

Published: 13:38 BST, 23 April 2020 | Updated: 14:17 BST, 23 April 2020

The coronavirus outbreak has now thrown at least 26 million Americans out of work in five weeks – wiping out all of the job growth since the Great Recession a decade ago.  

There were 4.4 million new claims for unemployment benefits filed last week, according to the latest Labor Department figures released on Thursday.    

It adds to the nearly 22 million people who applied for unemployment aid in the previous four weeks. 

About one in six American workers have now lost their jobs since mid-March, by far the largest streak of US job losses on record. 

The latest jobless claim figures show the coronavirus – in just five weeks – has now wiped out all of the 22.4 million jobs created since the Great Recession ended in 2009. At least 8.7 million jobs were lost in that period in the late 2000s. 

For April, some economists say the unemployment rate could reach as high as 20 percent. The enormous magnitude of job cuts has plunged the US economy into the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression of the 1930s. In comparison, the jobless rate during the Great Depression reached 25 percent.    

There were 4.4 million new claims for unemployment benefits filed last week, according to the latest Labor Department figures released on Thursday. It adds to the nearly 22 million people who applied for unemployment aid in the previous four weeks

About one in six American workers have now lost their jobs since mid-March, by far the largest streak of US job losses on record

Throughout the economy, nonessential businesses have closed, although some governors have begun easing restrictions despite warnings from health authorities that it may be too soon to do so without sparking new infections. 

Layoffs have spread throughout the economy, from front-line service industries like restaurants, hotels and retail stores to white collar and professional occupations.

There are likely more layoffs to come from many small businesses that have tried but failed to receive loans from a federal aid program. 

The painful economic consequences of the virus-related shutdowns have sparked angry protests in several state capitals from crowds demanding that businesses reopen. 

Some governors have begun easing restrictions despite warnings from health authorities that it may be too soon to do so without sparking new infections. 

There were 4.4 million new claims for unemployment benefits filed last week, according to the latest Labor Department figures released on Thursday. Pictured above is people waiting outside a job center in Pearl, Mississippi on Tuesday

In Georgia, gyms, hair salons and bowling alleys can reopen Friday, while Texas has reopened its state parks. 

The total number of people who are receiving unemployment benefits has reached a record 16 million, surpassing a previous high of 12 million set in 2010, just after the 2008-2009 recession ended. 

This figure reflects people who have managed to navigate the online or telephone application systems in their states, have been approved for benefits and are actually receiving checks. 

In some states, laid-off workers have run into obstacles in trying to file applications for benefits. 

Among them are millions of freelancers, contractors, gig workers and self-employed people – a category of workers who are now eligible for unemployment benefits for the first time. 

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