jobserviceBISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – North Dakota’s employment agency has made an emergency request to spend $240,000 for staffing to handle a huge increase in unemployment insurance claims.
 
     Job Service administers state unemployment benefits.  Executive director Cheri Giesen told the state Emergency Commission Tuesday that the agency is expected to see unemployment insurance claims jump from 700 to 2,500 in January. She says the rise of claims is due to layoffs of seasonal workers and those who are losing jobs in the oil patch because of a drop in activity.
 
     To exceed the spending limits set by the Legislature, agencies must get permission from the Emergency Commission and a separate legislative committee called the Budget Section. The Emergency Commission approved the funding Tuesday. The Budget Section is slated to review the request next week.