A total of 4,150 Maui residents filed an initial claim for unemployment for the week ending on April 18, and about 5,996 the week before, according to the latest data released from the state Department of Labor and Industrial Relations.

The last week of March had the highest number of claimants at 10,933.

Those who filed a weekly claim — requests for weekly unemployment payments, whether or not benefits have actually been paid — for the week ending on April 18 totaled 15,495.

Between April 17 to 23, the department distributed $68,097,470 in unemployment insurance benefits across the state. Of that total, $44,848,600 represented the $600 additional benefit that was made available by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act signed into law March 27.

Last week, the department distributed $87,521,534 in unemployment insurance benefits, of which $47,317,800 represented the $600 additional benefit under the CARES Act.

Mayor Michael Victorino said Thursday that more volunteers have stepped up to help manage incoming unemployment applications, but the state has not called upon the county to offer assistance. The Maui American Job Center has updated its website with new resources to help residents file for unemployment insurance or register for job searches.

For more information, visit mauiamericanjobcenter.com.

On the state unemployment insurance website, first-time unemployment filers should go to huiclaims2020.hawaii.gov/ initial-claim. Those who have filed previously should go to huiclaims.hawaii.gov/#/login.

The following emails can also be contacted depending on each individual’s situation:

• Email for claims and benefit inquiries: dlir.ui.maui@ hawaii.gov

• Email for disqualified claimants: dlir.ui.disqualified@hawaii.gov; must provide last four digits of your Social Security Number, phone number, full name and screenshot of disqualification.

• Email for backdate requests: dlir.ui.backdate@hawaii.gov; must provide last four digits of your Social Security Number, phone number, full name and date requested for backdate.

Those who were disqualified from receiving unemployment insurance for COVID-19 related reasons may be covered through the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program under the CARES Act. These claims can be filed at pua.hawaii.gov.

Local unemployment offices remain closed to walk-in and in-person services, but the DLIR can be reached via phone for appointments between 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at (808) 762-5752. For a password reset, call (808) 762-5751.

The Maui Claims and Benefits Office can be reached at 984-8400.