Iowa’s continuing weekly unemployment claims fell in the last week of September by nearly 4,200 people. For the week ending September 26th there were 58,744 continuing weekly unemployment claims and 4,452 initial claims.

Iowa Workforce Development has reinstated the work search requirement and currently has over 64,000 job openings posted statewide. IowaWORKS centers and satellite offices are providing limited in-person services to assist with work searches like resume preparation and application assistance. Not all unemployment claimants have to begin the work search, including those who are receiving Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits due to a medical condition or lack of childcare.

Industries with the highest unemployment claims in the last week of September were manufacturing (1,105), self-employed or independent contractors (808), healthcare and social assistance (464), construction (396), and accommodation or food services (323).