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COVID-19 Resources For Employment

While we recognize that the impacts of COVID-19 are far-reaching, we also know some businesses are needing to scale up their workforce due to new or increased areas of need as a result of this changing economic environment. The Partnership is here to help.

As a Job Seeker  |  As an Employer

Are you a job seeker looking for temporary employment?

  • Contact a local temp agency for additional assistance; find a list of staffing, temp agencies and employment agencies
  • Post your resume and comb through job openings on the DSM USA Career Center. Please note: We are adding a banner on the Career Center website to indicate NOW HIRING so job seekers can see immediate openings; check back for this feature coming soon!
  • Find more information about how to apply for unemployment and navigating unemployment benefits from Iowa Workforce Development
  • If you need assistance locating childcare, visit this list of sites with available openings

Are you an employer looking to temporarily and/or rapidly upscale your workforce?

We encourage you to create an employer profile on the DSM USA Career Center, where companies can comb through job seeker resumes. Please note: We are adding a banner on the Career Center website to indicate NOW HIRING so employers can see job seekers that are actively looking for immediate positions.

You may also consider utilizing a staffing or temp agency to assist you in your immediate hiring needs. As we work together to navigate the many challenges the COVID-19 pandemic created, leveraging a staffing company to hire temporary workers can help you respond to your business’ needs in a rapid and efficient manner. The following lists for staffing, temp agencies and employment agencies can help!

Are you an employer who is experiencing temporary layoffs?

Below are links to additional resources:

  • Employer Information on Unemployment Insurance from the Iowa Workforce Development Webinar on March 17, 2020:
  1. PDF of Slide Deck
  2. Watch the Full Webinar

Lost Wages Assistance Program

On Aug. 14, 2020, FEMA approved Iowa’s application to participate in the “Lost Wages Assistance” program. Iowans whose unemployment is the result of the pandemic, and who are eligible for at least $100 in benefits each week, will qualify for an additional $300 in weekly benefits retroactive to the week ending Aug. 1. FEMA and USDOL continue to issue guidance, and Iowa Workforce Development will continue developing the implementation process required for this program. IWD will update its website as additional information becomes available. Since the announcement of the program approval, IWD has seen an increase in initial and continuing claims as awareness of the benefits became more widely known and we anticipate this will be reflected in increased claim numbers next week.

Individuals who have exhausted the additional 13 weeks of PEUC benefits may be eligible for State Extended Benefits (EB) announced in June. Claimants should continue to file weekly claims so that their claims can be reviewed to determine eligibility for State EB. These benefits may provide eligible claimants up to an additional 13 weeks of unemployment benefits. Not everyone who qualified for PEUC will be eligible for State EB. More information is available here.