Inslee: Backlog of unemployment claims filed between March and June to be cleared Friday

OLYMPIA, Wash. — Gov. Jay Inslee announced Thursday that the Employment Security Department intends to clear the backlog for unemployment claims filed between March and June by Friday.

“These are folks whose claims have been in adjudication,” Inslee said. “That means there had to be something held up to allow them to be adjudicated as either valid or not valid.”

According to the ESD progress tracker, there are 10,795 individuals in adjudication that have not been paid since March 8. (Data as of July 28th)

The ESD launched “Operation 100%” on May 11, to help pay all claims for those in adjudication who applied between March 8 and May 1.

Inslee thanked everyone who has been working to clear the backlog including members of the National Guard.

“The job’s getting done,” Inslee said. “The job’s getting done because we have hired hundreds of people to do it.”

Inslee then called on Sen. Mitch McConnell and Congress to extend the federal $600 per week payments.

“Unemployment insurance is an investment not just in the recipients, but it is a benefit for our whole economy of our state and our nation,” Inslee said.

VIDEO: Some doubtful backlog of unemployment claims will be cleared Friday Some doubtful backlog of unemployment claims will be cleared Friday

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