ATLANTA — The Georgia Department of Labor (GDOL) reported today that the preliminary unadjusted unemployment rate in the metro Savannah area rose to 8.0 percent in May, up four-tenths of a percentage point from a revised 7.6 percent in April.

Meanwhile, the state’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate jumped to 9.7 percent in May, the highest rate ever recorded in Georgia. The jobless rate was up five-tenths of a percentage point from a revised 9.2 percent in April.

The increased number of unemployed workers in May included many discouraged workers who reentered the labor force. Last month, 463,883 unemployed Georgians were looking for work, an increase of 62 percent from May 2008. Of that number, 157,544, or 34 percent, are receiving state unemployment insurance benefits, while approximately another 90,000 are receiving federal extended benefits.

The May jobless rate was up 3.8 percentage points from 5.9 percent at this same time last year. Georgia’s unemployment rate remained above the national rate of 9.4 percent for the 19th consecutive month. The statewide number of payroll jobs in May decreased 217,000, or 5.2 percent, from May 2008.

Many long-term unemployed Georgians may be eligible for up to 20 weeks of State Extended Benefits (SEB), if they have exhausted regular state unemployment insurance benefits (UI) and the first and second tiers of federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) benefits. The exhaustions must have occurred on or after Feb. 15. Individuals who are eligible for SEB must apply, either online or at a labor department career center.

The local area unemployment rates are not seasonally adjusted. Georgia labor market data are available at www.dol.state.ga.us.