County Unemployment Claims Inch Up

HARRISBURG, PA – Clinton County’s weekly unemployment situation continues to feel the impact of the pandemic, according to information released recently by the state Department of Labor & Industry.

The county’s initial unemployment insurance claims for the week ending Dec. 19 was 159, up from 108 for the same time period last year. The 159 number is both likely COVID-19 related and seasonal employment. Almost 30 percent of the first time filers for the week ending Dec. 19 are in the food and accommodation sector. The continued claim number as of Dec. 19 again rose, this time up to 1,095 people, up more than 100 from the week before, and more than 500 from the same time period in 2019. The recent continued claim number indicates that 20 percent are in the construction field.

There were no Clinton County residents listed as having unemployment benefits expire during the week of Dec. 19.

The state should release November unemployment numbers for all 67 counties on Jan. 5. The Clinton County unemployment rate in October was 6.9%.