New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions reports unofficial numbers for current Unemployment Insurance initial claims
Unemployment Insurance initial claims for March 27 through April 2
For Immediate Release
April 3, 2020
Contact: Stacy Johnston
Acting Public Information Officer
505.250.3926
New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions reports unofficial numbers for current Unemployment Insurance initial claims
Unemployment Insurance initial claims for March 27 through April 2
(Albuquerque, NM) – The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions (NMDWS) released unofficial numbers for new Unemployment Insurance (UI) claims filed for Friday, March 27 to Thursday, April 2, 2020.
- 28,344 - Total number of new claims processed for the week. Not all claimants will qualify for UI benefits.
- 44,000 - Number of weekly certifications for the same timeframe mentioned above. These include people receiving benefits and others who are in the system and awaiting determination.
- $450 million – Current trust fund balance.
Individuals are required to certify every week after they apply for benefits, including the weeks before they receive their first benefit payment. The department encourages those who are able to complete their weekly certification online at www.jobs.state.nm.us or they may call 1-877-664-6984, Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
A video on how to file weekly certifications has been published on the NMDWS official YouTube channel, www.YouTube.com/NMDWS.
“Governor Lujan Grisham wants all New Mexicans to be safe and healthy as we work through the COVID-19 crisis,” said Bill McCamley, Secretary of the New Mexico Workforce Solutions Department. “Our staff is working as hard as we can to ensure that New Mexicans get the benefits they need and we very much appreciate the patience and kindness of our neighbors as we get through this together.”
In recent weeks, the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions Unemployment Insurance filing system has faced an unprecedented increase in volume. In order to address this surge, the department has:
- Implemented a new, more efficient filing system based on the last number of the applicant's Social Security Number:
- 0 - 3 : Monday
- 4 - 6 : Tuesday
- 7 - 9 : Wednesday
- Missed your day: Thursday and Friday
- Streamlined the account creation process for New Mexico Workforce Connection Online System, resulting in over 95% of initial claims being filed online;
- Waived the work search requirements;
- Dedicated 115 staff to the NMDWS Unemployment Insurance Operations Center telephone line, with plans to bring an additional 61 staff on board;
- Added a chat bot feature to the NMDWS website to provide guided information serving 96,973 sessions since 3/23, and;
- Waived the charges for new claims related to COVID-19 separations for both reimbursable and contributory employers.
Additional information for workers affected by COVID-19, including frequently asked questions, can be found at www.dws.state.nm.us/COVID-19-Info. For the latest announcements and updates, follow NMDWS on Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube.
Data disclaimer
"New claims” include individuals who filed first-time claims as well as additional claims filed by individuals as a result of a new unemployment event. New claims include claims that are still being reviewed for eligibility. Counts for new claims are not indicative of the number of claims that will result in monetary compensation. Counts are estimated due to the unprecedented volume of claims.
Per U.S. Department of Labor regulations, official weekly numbers are released on Thursday mornings in the Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims Report found here https://www.dol.gov/newsroom/releases.
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