Coronavirus update: Horry County leads SC in unemployment numbers for third straight week
Horry County led South Carolina in unemployment claims submitted for the third week in a row due to coronavirus bringing the tourism economy to a halt.
Locally, 10,098 initial unemployment claims have been filed up from 9,672 the week prior, according to a release from the Department of Employment and Workforce.
South Carolina saw 85,018 initial claims representing a 31 percent increase from the week before. Greenville County has the second most claims filed at 9,919.
These numbers represent initial claims and do not reflect everyone who will get benefits.
Across the state, $18 million has been paid out to people who applied for unemployment. Due to federal funding from the coronavirus stimulus package, there will also be an additional $600 given to many on unemployment.
The federal bill also allows for private contractors or people who work in the gig economy to seek benefits as long as they lost work due to coronavirus.
In previous weeks, the software that validated social security numbers was overwhelmed due to the nation-wide volume of unemployment claims. DEW said the software has been improved upon and the validation process is happening quicker.
To file an unemployment claim, visit DEW’s website or call 1-866-831-1724
