Today’s unemployment rates have come a long way down from the peak of 14.7% seen during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020. However, the fear of job losses continues to cause apprehension as economic uncertainties loom. A recent compilation of counties with the highest unemployment rates in Arizona was put together using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. As of January 2024, counties are ranked based on their preliminary unemployment rates with the number of unemployed within each county serving as a tie-breaker. Experts predict the possibility of another recession due to several factors such as the return of student loan payments, persistently high gas prices, ongoing inflation, and rising insurance prices. As of February 2024, the national unemployment rate sits at 3.9%, a slight increase from the previous month, while regional and state unemployment rates continue to vary widely. The highest unemployment rate in Arizona in January 2024 is at 11.0% while the lowest is at 2.8%.

If you live in California and are affected by unemployment, there are services such as the EDD (Employment Development Department) that can provide assistance. Communicating with the EDD may seem daunting but it does not have to be. If you have troubles getting in touch with a representative, you can check out the resources on eddcaller.com for information on how to get in touch with EDD customer service. This site offers valuable insight on how to reach a live person at EDD for assistance with claims or questions on unemployment benefits.