and welcome back to the third hour today the US Labor Department just released some really eye-popping numbers nearly 3.
3 Americans who filed for unemployment benefits in the wake of the corona virus that figure is the highest number in the history of the United States and the uncertainty has left folks with a lot of questions NBC's Vicki Wynn is here to answer some of those questions so with that many people filing for unemployment again it's a number that could could go up here in the next few weeks folks who need to need to apply what do they do how do they do that okay this is done state-by-state Craig a sterol has been saying go to your state's website the gov not the dot-com you need to make sure you have your social security card your state issued ID and proof of your income you're gonna create a login and this is the thing you have to bring your persistence and your patience as you said 3.
2 million Americans that's a record amount in one week the previous high was 700, 000 so a lot of these state websites are crashing they're slow you have to keep doing it but you can expect to see some of those unemployment benefits within the next three to six weeks what if you don't have access to the Internet though that's it a lot of libraries are closed down so that's gonna be tough because some of these offices are closed you're gonna have to go and figure out if there's that's really gonna be the fastest way for you to do it so if you can hook up with a friend or see if you know there's another neighbor someone who can allow you to use their internet it's just their Wi-Fi password let's talk about the stimulus package that was passed by the Senate two trillion dollars what's in it who benefits okay so this is huge because it really extends benefits to a lot of people who wouldn't otherwise be covered by unemployment the gig workers the independent contractors the people who are laid off furloughed or quarantined as a result of this pandemic or if you're at home caring for someone that all covers you and this is another six hundred dollars a week for four months on top of what you would normally be receiving from your state and the federal lawmakers want to extend this for an additional 13 weeks okay we've gotten so many questions on social media of mr.
Roker is standing by with a few of those out what you got all right thanks Greg hey Vic this is from little lid bs6 six on instagram asking if you work part time you get laid off are you eligible for unemployment benefits yes you are and another question someone asked was what if you're laid off before the time period when this pandemic started we don't know yet what the date will be for eligibility but people who work part time and are laid off are covered under this now we're waiting for more details as this rolls out by the end of the week and the president signs it then we'll all be able to parse through what the exact timeframes are but this is the time to be preparing and gearing up because it extends to so many more Americans I think we got time for one more that's right well I tell you what I think Viki may have answered this one what if I got laid off just before the corona virus has started so but but I would ask Vick what do people do I mean is it safe to go out looking for work if you've got to stay at home and we're hearing about all these companies that are hiring the amazons the the CBS is the the Walmarts is it safe to go out to look for work look this is key it is not an ideal time to be out in the public right now but we understand the reality is there are companies that are hiring Pizza Delivery companies in addition to the groceries and pharmacy chains that you mentioned fresh direct hiring 300, 000 people if you find yourself needing to be out in public limit contact as much as possible practice the social distancing really you have to train yourself not to touch your face and to wash your hands often but at the same time there are jobs to be had if you want to stay at home online education companies are also hiring big we know that stay-at-home school is here it's probably gonna last through the summer so that's another company that you should be looking into online educators and I just want to mention one thing I think this is really important many of us are gonna be home for many months an online education company called Udacity is now actually offering one month free for a nano degree which is essentially training and skills that you can get for free for a month that will help you boost your resume and get some new skills so that when the job market starts up again you'll be able to excuse me I'm so sorry you will be able and be ready to enter for hopefully a job that's in higher demand as well as a job that would be higher paying so check that out it's free for people in Europe and the audacity yes you're so palpable by the way you handle that with just the that was perfect thank you my apology we needed that today Vicki Winn Thank You al thank you as well Vicki by the way we've gotten so many questions she is going to answer that phone call from her kids and she's going to get on Instagram and answer your questions as well it's third hour today on Instagram you.
