More than 29,000 initial unemployment claims had been made last week as of Wednesday, based on the Department of Workforce Development’s preliminary numbers in a report by the Wisconsin State Journal. About 3,500 initial claims were made in the same span the previous week.
Amy Banicki, DWD deputy administrator of unemployment, stated the uptick began March 15 with nearly 1,500 initial claims. After Gov. Tony Evers ordered all bars and restaurants to halt sit-in services, the department saw 15,000 claims on March 18. Banicki added that the increase has most likely not peaked yet.
Initial claims are the first application toward getting unemployment benefits.
