SC pays out $10 million to unemployed workers in five days as claims numbers soar

South Carolina paid out millions in unemployment insurance benefits this week, highlighting an escalating economic crisis in the state that’s left tens of thousands of workers out of jobs.

Between March 29 and April 2, the South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce distributed $10 million in unemployment assistance to workers separated from their jobs because of the coronavirus pandemic.

By the end of last week, 64,856 South Carolinians had filed initial unemployment insurance claims, according to DEW. That was a 108% increase from the previous week, when the agency received 31,054 initial claims from people living and working in the state. In two weeks, the state’s applications for unemployment benefits have ballooned close to 100,000 combined.

That pattern is a reflection of nationwide unemployment claims, which are shattering records as the country struggles to contain spread of COVID-19.

From the start of March to the end, initial unemployment claims in South Carolina rose by 3,149.3%, according to DEW.

South Carolina is still awaiting federal guidance and funding in order to implement the CARES Act, the federal relief package signed into law on March 27, according to DEW. The agency’s director, Dan Ellzey, and Gov. Henry McMaster requested federal funds for South Carolina on March 28, DEW said. The state had not received that money as of April 3.

In the past week, McMaster ordered all “nonessential” businesses to close, and he shut down public boat ramps and beach access across the state. He has stopped just short of issuing the statewide shelter-in-place orders that many other states have adopted.

Cases of the coronavirus and patient deaths from COVID-19 are predicted to continue increasing through May.

This story was originally published April 3, 2020 at 2:38 PM with the headline "SC pays out $10 million to unemployed workers in five days as claims numbers soar."