The number of Mainers filing first-time claims for unemployment fell last week after three weeks of increases. But the number, 1,989, is nearly triple the rate at which people were filing unemployment claims in the weeks leading up to the pandemic.
Another 273 Mainers filed for other federal benefits under the CARES Act, which makes payments to freelancers and “gig economy” workers who don’t qualify for state unemployment benefits. That federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program is to end on Dec. 31.