Unemployment claims skyrocketed in Bartholomew County during the third week of March, and will likely rise substantially more this week.
Due to the COVID-19 virus, there were 690 first-time claims filed in the Columbus area during the week ending March 21, according to the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.
That figure is a staggering 4,500% jump from the 17 initial claims filed the previous week.
During the early part of the third week of March, Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb ordered that all dine-in areas of restaurants be closed, although drive-through and pickup were still allowed to operate. Over the course of the week, other closings were announced that included libraries, day care centers, indoor recreational facilities, as well as cultural and entertainment venues.
All levels of government were announcing they were limiting face-to-face access to staff, with many government workers choosing to work remotely by home. In addition, some private medical and dental facilities reduced their hours, which caused some staff members to either experience reduced hours or a temporary furlough.
On Monday, Holcomb ordered all Hoosiers to remain at home for two weeks starting Wednesday, except for workers in essential industries. Indiana residents are still allowed to make needed trips for groceries and medicine, Holcomb said.
Some automotive-related industries were preparing for layoffs prior to Holcomb’s address Monday.
After Cummins Inc. announced last week they would close their MidRange Engine Plan in Walesboro for two weeks, corporate spokesman Jon Mills stated they will pay their furloughed workers. Cummins had already announced last November that they planned to reduce their global workforce by around 2,000 employees by the end of March.
NTN Driveshaft has confirmed they are also suspending production at its facility in Columbus this week because their customers have stopped production.
While corporate vice-president and chief financial officer Barry Parkhurst said staff will only be paid for hours worked, NTN employees can use vacation time and unpaid sick days, as well as borrow five days from their next vacation period, Parkhurst said. However, company officials say they are not sure when the plant will reopen.
Last Thursday, Toyota Material Handling closed after they discovered one of their associates was presumed positive for COVID-19 although test results were not back. After a second possible presumed positive case was discovered at the same plant, the corporation announced they would remain closed through the end of this week, and provide employees with 10 days of paid time off. That announcement was made before Holcomb announced only essential employers will be open through the end of next week.
The governor, as well as the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD), are advising Hoosiers applying for unemployment insurance benefits to file on either a computer or smart phone, in an effort to maintain social distancing.
A stimulus package signed last week by President Donald Trump expands unemployment benefits. Prior to that package being signed, unemployment insurance benefits could be obtained for up to 26 weeks or until their maximum benefit amount is reached. According to state law, the maximum weekly benefit amount is $380.
[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”For more information” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]
For more information on unemployment insurance, visit unemployment.in.gov. This website provides a substantial amount of information regarding jobless benefits, as well as a link to online filing.
For more information about the stay-at-home order, visit in.gov/gov/3232.htm.
[sc:pullout-text-end]
