Jobless rate continues to rise

By Staff
Alabama’s August unemployment rate rose to 10.4 percent, up from 10.2 percent in July.
The number represents 217,306 unemployed people. Wages and salary employment decreased more than 11,000 from the previous month, with most of the downturn in hospitality and leisure, financial activities, trade, transportation and utilities and construction. Employment gains were seen in education and health sector employment.
To help with the large number of people dealing with unemployment, Gov. Bob Riley recently signed a law entitling qualified Alabamians to receive up to 20 weeks of unemployment compensation benefits. This means Alabamians are now eligible to receive up to 79 weeks of benefits.
Claimants can file for unemployment benefits online at www.dir.alabama.gov.