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Half of Americans who lost work or wages are getting $0 jobless benefits

May 18, 2020
Workers lost $80 billion in pay in April due to the pandemic, but only got $48 billion in unemployment benefits, according to the Hamilton Project.
An applicant fills out an unemployment benefits form in Virginia. Temporary relief payments are scheduled to end soon.
Olivier Douliery/AFP via Getty Images

36 million have sought unemployment aid since COVID-19 hit

May 14, 2020
Still, the number of first-time applications has now declined for six weeks straight.
Nearly 3 million laid-off workers applied for U.S. unemployment benefits last week.
Spencer Platt/Getty Images

The number of new jobless claims looks bad. The reality’s almost certainly worse.

Mar 26, 2020
The statistics the government uses to measure unemployment are likely underreporting the results of the pandemic.
Nicholas Kamm/AFP via Getty Images

Does a tight labor market mean more jobs for young people?

Apr 19, 2018
With the weekly jobless claims out Thursday, we look at whether the tight labor market is creating opportunities for younger workers. Are employers more willing to look at — and train — younger workers? And are young workers prepared for the jobs that are available? Click the audio player above to hear the full story. 

Jobless claims as low as in 1973, but was that a good year?

Apr 21, 2016
Back in '73, the U.S. was already in a recession that would leave deep scars on the economy.
Job seekers look over job opening fliers.
David McNew/Getty Images

Holiday hiring could be at its highest since 2000

Dec 24, 2014
Strong seasonal retail hiring boosts the spending power of American consumers.

Weekly jobless claims rose slightly to 308,000

Oct 3, 2013
Weekly jobless claims rose slightly, but still a bit lower than expected.

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