Mixed signs from latest unemployment numbers

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There’s both good news and bad news in an announcement on unemployment numbers from the state Department of Workforce Development.

First the good news. The unemployment rate dropped to 6.8 percent in April. Over 27,000 more people had jobs in April than at the same time last year. DWD spokesman John Dipko says that combined with other factors, that’s a sign that the state’s economy is growing:

“That aligns with other indicators of economic growth in our state such as the state sales and income tax collections increasing, the declining unemployment insurance claims, other employer surveys that are indicating that the economy is moving in the right direction.”

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The bad news is that because the unemployment dropped to under 7 percent, 11,500 people who have been receiving unemployment checks for 60 weeks won’t be eligible for a 13 week extension. That extension is only available when a state’s unemployment rate is above 7 percent. But Dipko says some of those people may be able requalify for unemployment. He says those affected should visit the department’s web site,

“.. in the event that they become employed but then become unemployed again. They can find more information about eligibility, they can file an initial claim and have their eligibility for future unemployment determined.”

There are also links on the website to other state-sponsored relief programs that those who have exhausted their 60 weeks of unemployment may be eligible for.