Tennessee Sees Record Unemployment Claims after COVID-19 Closures

The Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development saw a massive increase in the number of new unemployment claims compared to the number of claims just two weeks ago.

According to a weekly report of unemployment claims, the department received more than 94,000 new claims for the week ending March 28, compared to about 2,700 just two weeks ago and prior to the COVID-19 pandemic that has forced the closure of so many businesses.

The East Tennessee region, which includes Sevier County, saw more than 20,000 new claims.

Week Number	Week Ending Date	Number of New Claims Filed
10	March 14, 2020	2,702
11	March 21, 2020	39,096
12	March 28, 2020	94,492

Local Workforce Development Area	Number of New Claims
Greater Memphis	12,548
Northwest Tennessee	2,299
Southwest Tennessee	2,571
Northern Middle Tennessee	32,246
Southern Middle Tennessee	8,147
Upper Cumberland	3.295
Southeast Tennessee	9,309
East Tennessee	20,025
Northeast Tennessee	4,749
West TN Mobile American Job Center	30
Middle TN Mobile American Job Center	336
East TN Mobile America Job Center	41

Last month the agency said it was limiting access to American Job Centers in an effort to shift resources and triple the number of staff trained to process claim applications.

Nearly 200 employees work inside Tennessee’s 23 comprehensive American Job Centers. This shift in job duties brings the total number of staff focusing on unemployment to approximately 300, which is roughly one-third of the Department’s employees. The majority of employees processing claims will be able to work from home.

“As a Department, we are shifting resources to align with our greatest need,” said TDLWD Commissioner Jeff McCord. “The changes we are making will go a long way in keeping up with the demand created.”

The Department will extend customer service hours to 7 a.m. until 7 p.m. CT Monday through Friday to serve additional claimants.