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Gov. John Bel Edwards recently signed a proclamation regarding unemployment and other issues related to the Louisiana Workforce Commission, as it seeks to manage the influx in unemployment claims due to the coronavirus outbreak.

   The proclamation addresses various issues related to unemployment and workers’ compensation and also deems health care workers and first responders that work for the state as essential for purposes of the federal Family First Coronavirus Response Act.

   Edwards also announced that when it comes to unemployment benefits, the state has received the money promised in the federal CARES Act, and it will enable it to start paying unemployment benefits in the amount of $600 per week, through July 31.

  The Governor instructed the Louisiana Workforce Commission Secretary Ava Dejoie to begin making payments on April 13, for those 1099, salon, gig and other self-employed workers.

We urge everyone to file their initial claim and to continue to do their weekly certifications. The best hours to file online are between 10 p.m. and 4 a.m.

  Beginning on April 26, weekly certifications will be staggered and based up on the last digit of the filers social security number. Those with 0-3 will file on Sunday. 4-6 will file on Monday and 7-9 will file on Tuesday. On Wednesday through Saturday anyone with any social security number may file.