Claims for unemployment benefits continue to skyrocket in Michigan during the coronavirus pandemic. A record 311,000 people filed initial applications last week. That is more than double from the previous week – shattering the previous high of 128,000 that was set the week before. The system has been deluged. The website went down Tuesday before being restored. The state Unemployment Insurance Agency has implemented a schedule for people to apply based on their last name. It is urging patience and recommends that users apply online late at night or early in the morning. The high before what was set in March was 77,000 initial jobless claims in a week in January 2009 during the recession.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
