Iowa continuing unemployment claims fall

DES MOINES — More than 6,700 people filed unemployment claims last week in Iowa, and the number of continuing claims is nearly 105,000, a decrease of more than 5,000 from the previous week.

There were 6,765 claims for unemployment insurance in the week ending Aug. 1, Iowa Workforce Development said Thursday, and benefit payments totaled more than $29.9 million for the week.

Manufacturing had the highest number of claims with more than 1,400, followed by self-employed workers and independent contractors. Health care and social assistance, retail and education services rounded the five sectors with the most claims.

Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation benefits ended July 25, which means the $600 weekly additional benefit stopped and claimants will see a decrease in their benefits, the agency said in its weekly release.

Laid off workers may be eligible for state extended benefits and should continue to file weekly claims so that their claims can be reviewed to determine eligibility for state extended benefits, the agency said.