From This Collection

California's unemployment system has serious issues. It's not alone.

Sep 21, 2020
Antiquated software and a glitchy ID-verification system are among the issues that prompted the state to stop accepting new applications for two weeks.
A woman enters the Employment Development Department building in Los Angeles. The state is putting a pause on processing new unemployment applications for two weeks.
Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images

There are big variations in the state-by-state unemployment picture

Sep 21, 2020
States that rely heavily on the in-person service sector are still facing high unemployment, while farm states are seeing lower jobless rates.
States that rely heavily on face-to-face service jobs, like New York, have the highest unemployment.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

For some, it may make more sense at this moment to quit a job

Sep 16, 2020
Some people may not feel their workplace is safe. Others may need to provide child care for their families.
Some people are quitting jobs because it's too dangerous to work during the pandemic.
Al Bello/Getty Images

With more people falling below the poverty line, a look at what benefits they might receive

Sep 15, 2020
High unemployment and reduced income for many during the pandemic may make more people eligible for federal aid programs.
The poverty threshold, just over $26,000 a year for a family of four, is used to allocate more than a trillion dollars in government payments.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

For public good, not for profit.

Trump's Lost Wages Assistance money isn't enough for many unemployed

Sep 11, 2020
As Congress battles over how to help those who are out of work in the pandemic, FEMA funds to replace federal pandemic checks are already running out.
A protester holds a sign calling for a fix to unemployment benefits at a protest in Miami Beach.
Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Head spinning from all the unemployment numbers? Blame COVID-19.

Sep 10, 2020
The pandemic has led to churn in the job market — layoffs, rehires and new hires that reflect shifting demand in the economy.
A bartender pours drinks for customers in Austin, Texas, in May. There's a lot of churn in the labor market due to COVID-19.
Sergio Flores/AFP via Getty Images

Furloughs turning into permanent layoffs as pandemic drags on

Sep 8, 2020
Job losses are moving past lockdown-hit businesses to other sectors that were doing fine for a while.
Every month a worker is on temporary unemployment, they have about a 10% to 15% chance of transitioning to a permanent separation, according to one labor economist.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images