It’s by far the worst string of layoffs on record.

“Nothing has been as challenging, as nerve-wracking, as stressful as this,” said Ed Serna, Executive Director of the Texas Workforce Commission.

Some people may choose not to file unemployment claims, while others may not be eligible for benefits.

Despite expanded eligibility, many people who are out of work because of COVID-19 can’t access federal support.

The incredible surge in claims is putting a huge amount of pressure on the public service workers processing them.

Nearly one out of 10 people who had a job to go to before the pandemic don’t have one now.

The actual number of Americans out of work or nearly so is almost certainly higher.

We’re already seeing the biggest one-month rise in unemployment since 1975.

U.S. citizens with an undocumented spouse or child would also be denied a check.

The median U.S. household has just a couple of weeks worth of savings to tap into in a crisis.