Unemployment claims dropping in Nevada

Monday, Dec. 24, 2001 | 11:18 a.m.

CARSON CITY -- New claims for unemployment benefits are starting to drop in Nevada as the economy begins to recover from the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

The state Employment Security Division reported today that 5,290 people applied last week for jobless benefits, 3 percent fewer than the previous week and 10.5 percent fewer than the first week of December.

The division is still fielding about the same number of telephone calls a week -- 16,000 -- despite the decline in claims, Fred Suwe, assistant director of the agency, said. Some come from people asking for information.

Those drawing unemployment as of Friday totaled 42,021, 85 percent more than a year ago, he said.

The division paid out $9.2 million during the week. In the previous week it distributed $9 million in benefits to 41,921 people and $8.6 million to 39,799 the week before.

Even though the new claims are decreasing, the amount being paid out is rising, Suwe said. That's because the unemployed can't begin collecting until a week after a claim is submitted. Questions about a claim could delay payment further.

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