DES MOINES, Iowa - Weekly jobless claims are rising in Iowa, spiking 58 percent in the most recent week.
However, a release from Iowa Workforce Development said unemployment numbers typically spike in November and December because of seasonal layoffs.
The agency says 44-percent of claimants said their claims were not COVID related.
Ongoing weekly claims, which reflect the state's actual unemployment rate, are up almost 6 percent for the week, to 37,112 from 34,802 the week before.
Ongoing claims had fallen for 17 straight weeks since their peak in May, until last week's numbers were released.
First time weekly claims for the most recent week rose to 9,458 from 5,992 the previous week, reflecting the nearly 44 percent jump.
Unemployment insurance benefit payments totaled $10,269,549.21, up from $9,580,120.79 in the previous week.
The following industries had the most claims:
- Manufacturing (1,622)
- Construction (1,271)
- Industry Not Available - Self-employed, Independent Contractors, etc (1,245)
- Health Care & Social Assistance (920)
- Accommodation & Food Services (780)