U.S. jobless claims fall below 1 million but remain high

Aug 13, 2020
The decline suggests that layoffs are slowing, though last week’s figure is still above the pre-pandemic record of just under 700,000.
The Labor Department said that applications fell to 963,000, the second straight drop, from 1.2 million the previous week.
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1.2 million seek unemployment benefits after $600 federal check ends

Aug 6, 2020
It's evidence that the coronavirus keeps forcing companies to slash jobs just as the weekly federal jobless payment has expired.
The Labor Department’s report marked the 20th straight week that at least 1 million people have sought jobless aid. Pictured: A sign asking clients to wear a mask and respect social distancing is seen on the door of a closed store in Los Angeles.
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The number of people seeking unemployment benefits is up for the first time since March

Jul 23, 2020
The rise in weekly jobless claims to 1.4 million underscores the outsize role the unemployment insurance system is playing as a safety net.
The Labor Department said Thursday that roughly 32 million people are receiving unemployment benefits.
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Layoffs stuck at high level as 1.3 million seek jobless aid

Jul 9, 2020
The six states that have had to reverse business reopenings make up one-third of the economy.
The persistently elevated level of layoffs are occurring as a spike in virus cases has forced six states to reverse their move to reopen businesses.
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Applications for jobless aid fall to still-high 1.48 million

Jun 25, 2020
It's the 12th straight drop in first-time claims, a sign that layoffs are slowing but still at a high level.
Unemployment application forms outside a Florida library.
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What happens if you choose not to go back to work in Texas?

May 20, 2020
The executive director of the Texas Workforce Commission said they're making some allowances so people who choose not to go back to work keep receiving benefits.
Employment advertisements in a 2014 newspaper in Australia.
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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.
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