1 in 5 Washington workers have filed for unemployment

OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP) — New data shows 1 in 5 Washington workers have filed for unemployment since March.

Nearly $1.5-billion in benefits have been paid out in that time frame, including federal money that has increased weekly payments in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Employment Security Department Commissioner Suzi LeVine said that of the hundreds of thousands of people who have filed for benefits since March 7, more than half have been paid.

Last week, more than $998 million was paid out.