The COVID-19 pandemic in Mississippi has triggered a record-breaking rush to file for unemployment benefits, which are paid for by employer taxes. Mississippi’s maximum weekly benefit is $235. However, the federal stimulus bills Congress passed to respond to the virus increase benefits by $600 up to July 31. It also encourages states not to have to meet the program’s work search requirements or a one-week waiting period. Pandemic Unemployment assistance was created to help people who are not eligible for traditional unemployment. These include self-employed and independent contractors, sometimes called “1099 workers”, as well as those who have lost their jobs due to the pandemic. This program is more attractive and easier to access because it ensures that jobless workers are able to support their families during this economic and health crisis. The Mississippi Department of Employment Security administers the benefits but has had difficulty processing the influx of applications. This is despite having tripled its staff. The state uses a private vendor to update the automated unemployment insurance system. It has been difficult and time-consuming. The website informed applicants who could qualify for pandemic aid that they were not eligible until April 21st, at which point it was updated. Officials from the department promise to reach out and determine eligibility for people who have already applied. Jackie Turner, Mississippi Employment Security Director, stated that people who have been approved for unemployment should start receiving $600 starting April 10. On April 4, Mississippi’s workforce lost approximately 84,000 people who had filed initial unemployment insurance claims between Mar. and Apr. 4. 15 — the number of jobs that state leaders credit with creating since 2008’s recession. More than 200,000 people had already filed for unemployment benefits by June. According to data it provided to federal authorities, the number of initial claims the department received during the pandemic was more than 420,000 as of July 18. Separately, the department released that it had received 81,136 claims under expanded eligibility provided by Pandemic Unemployment Assistance as of May 30. On May 2, the department had the highest number of continuing unemployment claims with approximately 208,000 people filing weekly certifications indicating that they still require the benefit. This was an increase of approximately 2380 percent compared to the 8,400 weekly filings in the week prior to March. 15. Continued claims fell to approximately 154,000 by July 11, which suggests that some people may have reentered work. The federal government published numbers on July 23 showing that 51,332 people had filed continued PUA claims in Mississippi during the week ending July 4. Because they are unable to track the progress of debit cards that are administered by third parties vendors, the department has not released the number of claimants who are receiving their funds. An internal report by the agency indicated that payments were being made to approximately 87 percent of continuing claimants as of May. To file an unemployment claim, the department encourages people to create an account and submit the claim electronically at mdes.ms.gov, or fill out a downloadable application and email it to UIClaims@mdes.ms.gov. Individuals with issues can email cv19@mdes.ms.gov or call (888-844-3577) between 7 a.m.-10 p.m. for assistance. However, they might experience lengthy wait times. Applicants can also file a claim via email or phone at their local WIN Job Center. However, the centers’ walk in lobbies are closed. Mississippi Today will be updating the following charts every Thursday with data U.S. Department of Labor publishes. Send us your questions about unemployment by email to awolfe@mississippitoday.org.