unemployment

Small Business Commission to announce recommendations for reopening the Alabama economy

Alabama Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth and State Rep. Danny Garrett, R-Trussville, will hold a news conference Friday to announce a series of recommended steps for reopening Alabama’s economy, which were formulated at the request of Gov. Kay Ivey. According to the statement, the COVID-19 infection rate indicates that a downward trend has begun last week. … Continued

Brandon Moseley

April 17, 2020

How to track the status of your unemployment claim

Alabama Department of Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington announced Thursday that the agency has launched a new online tool to enable claimants to see the status of their unemployment claim, tell them what the next steps are and what to expect from the department. The tool includes the following information: What is My Claim Status? Tells … Continued

April 16, 2020

280,000 Alabamians filed unemployment claims over the last month

The economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic is continuing to add Alabamians to the state’s unemployment rolls. Another 77,515 Alabamians filed an initial jobless claim last week, bringing the total since the week ending March 14 up to 279,431, or about 12.5 percent of the state’s total labor force in February 2020. The number of … Continued

Chip Brownlee

April 16, 2020

Ivey reports that the state has started conversation on post pandemic economy

Monday, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey (R) hosted a conference call with state Health Officer Dr. Scott Harris, Labor Secretary Fitzgerald Washington, and EMA Director Brian Hastings. “We are one week in to our Stay at Home order. While it seems to be working, we have to remain vigilant and continue to follow the orders,” said … Continued

Brandon Moseley and Nicole Jones

April 16, 2020

More than 80,000 joined the unemployment rolls in Alabama last week

More than 80,000 people filed a jobless claim to receive unemployment compensation last week, the Alabama Department of Labor and the U.S. Department of Labor say. That number is about eight times the number of claims filed the week before when layoffs began hitting the state. Alabama Department of Labor spokesperson Tara Hutchison said Monday … Continued

Chip Brownlee

April 2, 2020

Alabama Legislature meets under heightened health concerns

The Alabama House of Representatives on Tuesday gaveled in for what was supposed to be their first day back from a two-week spring break—well rested and ready to tackle the state’s pressing issues. Instead, like everything else in American society, it was a somber event overshadowed by concerns about the coronavirus, which has killed approximately … Continued

Brandon Moseley

April 1, 2020

Red heart shape and medical stethoscope on blue background top view. Health care, medicare and cardiology concept.

American Diabetes Association urges governor to address the needs of diabetics

The CEO of the American Diabetes Association today sent a letter to Alabama Governor Kay Ivey (R) on behalf of the approximately 2 million state residents living with diabetes and pre-diabetes. The letter calls for Governor Ivey to immediately address the vulnerable situation that people living with diabetes may find themselves in as unemployment skyrockets … Continued

Brandon Moseley

March 27, 2020

Alabama jobless claims soar past 40,000 this week, breaking records

More than 40,000 people filed a jobless claim to receive unemployment compensation in the first four days of this week, the Alabama Department of Labor says, more than quadrupling the number of claims filed last week when layoffs began hitting the state. Alabama Department of Labor spokesperson, Tara Hutchison, said Thursday that 40,628 people filed … Continued

Chip Brownlee

March 26, 2020

How do I apply for unemployment in Alabama?

Unemployment is surging in Alabama as businesses across the country have been forced close because of restrictions put in place to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus. Just last week, more than 9,000 people applied for unemployment compensation in the state, according to the Alabama Department of Labor. Workers who lose their jobs because … Continued

Chip Brownlee

March 22, 2020

Sewell, Jones urge Ivey to extend unemployment benefits for workers impacted by COVID-19

U.S. Sen. Doug Jones, D-Alabama, and Congresswoman Terri Sewell, D-Selma, sent a letter urging Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey and her administration to extend unemployment benefits for Alabamians impacted by the spread of the novel coronavirus, which causes COVID-19. “As our state and nation responds to the COVID-19 pandemic by encouraging ‘social distancing,’ many workers in … Continued

Brandon Moseley

March 20, 2020