The number of Georgians who filed first-time unemployment claims rose nearly 18 percent in September.
According to the Georgia Department of Labor, 66,614 laid-off workers filed first-time claims for state unemployment insurance (UI) benefits in September, an increase of 17.6 percent from September 2008.
The average length of time jobless Georgia workers drew UI benefits increased from 11.8 weeks in September 2008 to 14 weeks in September 2009.
The number of UI claimants decreased by 3,255 from August, when 69,869 claims were filed.
The number of jobless workers receiving state UI benefits rose 58.8 percent over the year, from 88,121 in September 2008 to 139,900 in September 009. About 150,000 UI claimants are receiving federally-funded extended benefits, bringing the total number of UI beneficiaries to 289,900.
UI claims in Atlanta were up 26.9 percent to 31,158.
“While the pace of new layoffs continued to moderate in September, the average length of time that jobless Georgians are receiving unemployment insurance benefits is now longer than it’s been since March 1976,” said State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond.
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