Initial unemployment claims drop by 1,640 in week

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Initial unemployment claims topped 400 in three S.C. counties for the week ending Jan. 23, when the state saw a total of 5,043 initial claims filed.

That represented a drop of 1,640 from the 6,683 filed the previous week, according to S.C. Department of Employment and Workforce data. On Tuesday, DEW released figures from its monthly survey showing that unemployment in South Carolina edged up to 4.6% in December 2020 from 4.4% in November 2020.

For the most recent week, Horry County led the state with 486 initial unemployment claims, while Greenville County had 464 and Richland County 438. Spartanburg County saw 338 claims, Charleston County 270 and Lexington County 268.

From Jan. 17-Jan. 23, DEW paid out nearly $103 million in a combination of state and federal unemployment benefits. Since March 15, the agency has paid out more than $5 billion and has seen 830,581 initial unemployment claims filed.

On Feb. 4, DEW is holding a virtual job recruitment event in conjunction with Richland School District Two. Positions available include substitute teacher, maintenance plumber, instructional assistant and school nurse.

Online registration is required and ends Friday. Participants can complete an online application before the event for immediate consideration.  

The event will be held from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.