Jobless Claims In SD Fall To Lowest Level Since Start Of Pandemic

The number of South Dakotans filing new unemployment claims has fallen to its lowest level since March.

The state Department of Labor says 594 people filed new unemployment claims last week. That’s the smallest number since March 14, just before the pandemic sent unemployment soaring.

The total number of South Dakotans filing for unemployment during the pandemic is now almost 63,000. During that time, the state and federal government have paid almost $300 million to unemployed people in the state.

Currently, about 11,000 South Dakotans are receiving unemployment benefits.

The drop in new claims at the state level mirrors a drop in claims nationally. Fewer than 900,000 people filed new claims in the U.S. last week. That’s the smallest number since the pandemic began.

Recent new claims for unemployment in South Dakota