News Releases and Updates
“The State’s economy ended on a high note in December,” said Beth Townsend, interim director of Iowa Workforce Development. “Recent stagnation within global markets has shown little impact on the U.S. and Iowa economies. The Iowa unemployment rate dropped to 4.1 percent, while nonfarm employment gained 2,100 jobs.”
“Addressing the skills gap in Iowa is a priority for Governor Branstad and Iowa Workforce Development. Registered apprenticeships provide a win-win situation for Iowans and employers,” stated Iowa Workforce Development Director Teresa Wahlert. “The apprenticeship program provides Iowans with an opportunity to secure a new opportunity while earning a high-paying wage and employers are awarded with highly skilled employees.”
The grant will be used to establish the Women’s Occupational Matching and Networking (WOMaN) Project, an initiative designed to empower low-income women with families through education about Non-Traditional Occupations (NTOs), which traditionally pay higher wages and will promote self-sufficiency, reducing the need to rely on human services programs, such as Food Assistance, for basic living needs.
“Iowa’s unemployment rate dropped two-tenths of a percent in November,” said Teresa Wahlert, director of Iowa Workforce Development. “Virtually all of Iowa’s economic indicators showed improvement this month, with Iowa’s labor force and total nonfarm employment reaching all-time highs.”
Common Questions
After you report your first two continued weekly Unemployment Insurance (UI) claims, you will be able to check the status of your UI claim for benefits online at https://uiclaims.iwd.iowa.gov/weeklyclaims or by calling 1-800-850-5627 and selecting the option to “Check on the Status of Your Claim.”
You will be able to review the following information:
As soon as you become fully or partially unemployed you should file your inital Unemployment Insurance (UI) claim by filling out an application. Your UI claim is effective the Sunday of the week during which the application is filed. No UI benefits are paid for the weeks of unemployment prior to the week you submit the application.
UI claims are applied for by one of the following four options:
Visit our online registration site, www.myiowaui.org. Select "Create User" directions will be provided for you to then proceed through the process. The system will determine liability for you when you enter in your business information. If found you are liable, you will receive your account number immediately.