(Washington, DC, Thursday, May 7, 2020) – According to the U.S. Labor Department, another 3.8 million Americans filed for unemployment benefits during the week ending April 25. In the previous six weeks, more than 30 million Americans filed unemployment insurance claims, and if the unemployment rate hits 20% in April, that would be the highest rate since it reached 25% during the Great Depression.

One third of the workforce is age 50 or older, and coronavirus-related business shutdowns and layoffs have taken a heavy toll on this demographic. Nearly 5 million workers 55 and older are in retail positions, and another million prepare and serve food – jobs that have been halted to slow the spread of the coronavirus.  Many older workers have not needed to write a resume in years and are concerned that potential employers may be biased against hiring them.

Although the federal government has enacted laws to help Americans financially during this period, providing many (including Social Security recipients) with payments of up to $1,200 and unemployment benefits that add $600 per week to what their state would normally offer, the job crisis will have lasting effects.

AARP will share vital advice for people who are unemployed and facing a daunting job market.

AARP is a nonprofit, nonpartisan social mission organization that helps people ages 50 and over live their best possible lives. AARP does not endorse candidates for public office or make contributions to either political campaigns or candidates. It has staffed offices in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.