2015 US Unemployment Extension News
Latest news | 2017 news | 2016 news | 2015 news | 2014 news | Older news
12/27/2015: in December of 2015 : Announced by the Labor Statistics Department, the number of new unemployment benefits claims decreased by 5,000 last week, to reach a total of 267,000. The four-week moving average declined by 1,750, to reach 272,500. Insured unemployment fell by 47,000 to reach 2.238 million. Most of the decrease in unemployment came from NY, PA, WI and GA with Transportation and Warehousing leading the change.
12/20/2015: in December of 2015 : Reported by the Labor Department, the number of new claims for unemployment benefits decreased by 11,000 last week (CA, NY, PA and TX are the major contributors), to reach a total of 271,000. The four-week moving average declined by 250, to reach 270,500. Insured unemployment decreased by 7,000 to reach 2.24 million.
12/13/2015: in December of 2015 : Reported by the Labor Statistics Department, the number of new claims for unemployment benefits increased by 13,000 last week, to reach a total of 282,000. WI, OH, and KY lost 9,000 jobs. The four-week moving average grew by 1,500, to reach 270,750. Insured unemployment rose by 82,000 to reach 2.24 million.
12/5/2015: in December of 2015 : Reported by the Department of Labor Statistics, November's unemployment rate is steady at 5.0% with 211,000 new jobs in the economy and improved 62.5% labor force participation rate, although the long-term unemployment situation hasn't improved since June. Last week, the number of new applications for unemployment benefits increased by 9,000, to reach a total of 269,000. The four-week moving average rose by 1,750, to reach 269,250. Insured unemployment rose by 6,000 to reach 2.16 million.
11/29/2015: in November of 2015 : Reported by the Labor Statistics Department, the preliminary unemployment rate remains 5%, while the number of new claims for unemployment benefits decreased by 12,000 last week, to reach a total of 260,000. TX, KS, and NJ added most of the new jobs. The four-week moving average increased by 3,250, to reach 271,000. Insured unemployment rose by 34,000 to reach 2.21 million.
11/22/2015: in November of 2015 : Reported by the Labor Department, the number of new claims for unemployment benefits decreased by 5,000 last week, to reach a total of 271,000. TX and NJ outpaced all other states and created 3.3 and 2.1 thousand jobs while senators from MN attempted to extend the unemployment benefits. The four-week moving average increased by 3,000, to reach 270,750. Insured unemployment rose by 2,000 to reach 2.18 million.
11/15/2015: in November of 2015 : Reported by the US Labor Statistics Department, the number of new claims for unemployment benefits remained unchanged 276,000 last week. MI lost nearly 4,000 jobs in manufacturing followed by CA with 2,200 and IL with 1,800 jobs lost in construction and manufacturing industries. The four-week moving average increased by 5,000, to reach 267,750. Insured unemployment rose by 5,000 to reach 2.17 million.
11/8/2015: in November of 2015 : Reported by the Department of Labor Statistics, October's unemployment rate decreased to 5.0%, while the number of new claims for unemployment benefits increased by 16,000 last week, to reach a total of 276,000. CA, NY, PA, and NJ are responsible for the majority of the job losses across multiple industries. The four-week moving average increased by 3,500, to reach 262,750. Insured unemployment increased by 17,000 to reach 2.16 million. After a slight decrease in September, the long-term unemployment rate is up again.
11/1/2015: in November of 2015 : Reported by the Labor Statistics Department, the number of new claims for unemployment benefits increased by one thousand last week, to reach a total of 260,000. SC and MI lost 4,500 jobs while PA and TX added 6,500. The four-week moving average decreased by 4,000, to reach 259,250, the lowest level since December 1973 when it was 256,750. Insured unemployment declined by 6,000 to reach 2.14 million, the lowest level since November 2000 when it was 2.11 million.
10/25/2015: in October of 2015 : Reported by the Labor Department, the number of new claims for unemployment benefits increased by 3,000 last week, to reach a total of 259,000. TX, NY, and PA were the leaders of job losses with 7,000 hike across multiple industries. The four-week moving average decreased by 2,000, to reach 263,250, the lowest level since December 1973. Insured unemployment increased by 6,000 to reach 2.17 million. Short-term unemployment is on the rise with no improvements in the long-term unemployment rate.
10/18/2015: in October of 2015 : Reported by the Labor Statistics Department, the total number of unemployment benefits claims decreased by 7,000 last week, to reach a total of 255,000. MI and NY added 4,000 jobs in manufacturing, transportation and warehousing. The four-week moving average decreased by 2,250, to reach 265,000, the lowest level since December 1973 when it was 256,750. Insured unemployment decreased by 50,000 to reach 2,158 thousand, the lowest since November 2000.
10/11/2015: in October of 2015 : Reported by the Department of Labor Statistics, the total number of unemployment benefits claims decreased by 13,000 last week, to reach a total of 263,000. MI was the only state that lost jobs during this week. The four-week moving average decreased by 3,000, to reach 267,500. Insured unemployment increased by 9,000 to reach 2,204 thousand.
10/4/2015: in October of 2015 : Reported by the Department of Labor Statistics, September's unemployment rate remained flat at 5.1%. The number of new claims for unemployment benefits increased by 10,000 last week, to reach a total of 277,000. Most of the job losses took place in CA, KS, TX, and NY. The four-week moving average decreased by 1,000, to reach 270,750. Insured unemployment fell by 53,000 to reach 2.191 million, the lowest level since November 2000.
9/27/2015: in September of 2015 : Reported by the Department of Labor Statistics, the number of new claims for unemployment benefits increased by 3,000 last week, to reach a total of 267,000. The four-week moving average decreased by 750, to reach 271,750. Insured unemployment fell by 1,000 to reach 2.242 million. CA, TX, and NY led the improvement in employment figures by adding 12,000 new jobs in total. During this week, for the first time in almost seven years, all states reported a net positive increase in total jobs.
9/20/2015: in September of 2015 : Published by the Labor Department, the number of new claims for unemployment benefits decreased by 11,000 last week, to reach a total of 264,000. The four-week moving average increased by 3,250, to reach 272,500. Insured unemployment decreased by 26,000 to reach 2.24 million. NY created a significant 4,000 new jobs and outperformed the rest of the country for the second consecutive week. WA and TX lost nearly 2,500 jobs in manufacturing and construction.
9/13/2015: in September of 2015 : Reported by the Labor Statistics Department, the number of new claims for unemployment benefits decreased by 6,000 last week, to reach a total of 275,000. The four-week moving average increased by 500, to reach 275,750. Insured unemployment increased by 1,000 to reach 2.26 million. The economy performed better in NY and OH adding 6,000 new jobs while PA and CA lost 3,000 jobs.
9/5/2015: in September of 2015 : Last week`s number of new claims for unemployment benefits increased by 11,000, to reach a total of 281,000. The four-week moving average rose by 3 thousand, to reach 275,250. Insured unemployment decreased by 7,000 to reach 2.259 million. There are no specific factors or geographies contributing to this change.
8/29/2015: in August of 2015 : According to the Department of Labor Statistics, the number of new claims for unemployment benefits decreased by 6,000 last week, to reach a total of 271,000. The four-week moving average increased by 1,000, to reach 272,500. Insured unemployment increased by 13 thousand to reach 2.269 million. There are no specific factors or geographies contributing to this change.
8/16/2015: in August of 2015 : According to the Department of Labor Statistics, the number of new claims for unemployment benefits increased by 5,000 last week, to reach a total of 274,000. The four-week moving average decreased by 1,750, to reach 266,250 - the lowest unemployment average since April of 2000. Insured unemployment rose by 15 thousand to reach 2.273 million, with the highest job losses in VA manufacturing. CA, TN, and NY experienced fewer layoffs in services and health care.
8/9/2015: in August of 2015 : Reported by the Labor Statistics Department, July's unemployment rate is at 5.3%, the number of new claims for unemployment benefits increased by 3,000 last week, to reach a total of 270,000. The four-week moving average decreased by 6,500, to reach 268,250. Insured unemployment declined by 14 thousand to reach 2.255 million. There was a significant decrease in layoffs in MI, CA, GA and NY in manufacturing and service industries.
7/26/2015: in July of 2015 : Published by the Department of Labor Statistics, the number of new claims for unemployment benefits decreased by 15,000 last week, to reach a total of 281,000. The four-week moving average increased by 3,250, to reach 282,500. Insured unemployment decreased by 112 thousand to reach 2,215 thousand. MI, NY, and CA lost the most jobs while NJ created more jobs than any other state.
7/20/2015: in July of 2015 : Published by the Department of Labor Statistics, the number of new claims for unemployment benefits decreased by 15,000 last week, to reach a total of 281,000. The four-week moving average increased by 3,250, to reach 282,500. Insured unemployment decreased by 112 thousand to reach 2,215 thousand. MI, NY, and CA lost the most jobs while NJ created more jobs than any other state.
7/12/2015: in July of 2015 : Released by the Department of Labor Statistics, the number of new claims for unemployment benefits increased by 15,000 last week, to reach a total of 297,000 with most of job losses in NJ, MA, CA, and CT in education and service industries. The four-week moving average expanded by 4,500, to reach 279,500. Insured unemployment increased by 69 thousand to reach 2,334 thousand, the highest increase since November 2014.
7/7/2015: in July of 2015 : As announced today by the Department of Labor Statistics, June's national unemployment rate is at 5.3%. This 0.2% decrease from May's figure is mostly due to 0.3% (or 432,000 individuals) contraction in the labor force participation rate to 62.6%. Professional, business services and health care were identified as primary drivers behind the increase of 223,000 in the employed population.
7/2/2015: in July of 2015 : According to the Department of Labor Statistics, the number of new claims for unemployment benefits increased by 10,000 last week, to reach a total of 281,000. The four-week moving average rose by 1,000, to reach 274,750. Insured unemployment increased by 15 thousand to reach 2,264 thousand.
6/30/2015: in June of 2015 : According to the Department of Labor Statistics, the number of new claims for unemployment benefits increased by 3,000 last week, to reach a total of 271,000. The four-week moving average declined by 3,250, to reach 273,750. Insured unemployment increased by 22 thousand to reach 2,247 thousand.
6/21/2015: in June of 2015 : According to the Department of Labor Statistics, the number of new claims for unemployment benefits decreased by 12,000 last week, to reach a total of 267,000. The four-week moving average declined by 2,000, to reach 276,750. Insured unemployment dropped by 50 thousand to reach 2,222 thousand.
6/17/2015: in June of 2015 : Improving unemployment claims figures and a 15-year low unemployment rate are not the best indicators of the health of the labor market. In fact, the insights they provide are inadequate to determine why unemployed individuals may no longer be in the labor force. For example, 6.5 million of US unemployed are still looking for jobs but no longer considered part of the 5.5% May unemployment rate. Continue reading
6/14/2015: in June of 2015 : According to the Department of Labor Statistics, the number of new claims for unemployment benefits increased by 2,000 last week, to reach a total of 279,000. The four-week moving average rose by 3,750, to reach 278,750. Insured unemployment increased by 61 thousand to reach 2,265 thousand. Over the year, the total number of long-term unemployed decreased by 849,000 to 2.4 million, the Labor force participation rate slightly rose to 62.9%, and employment to population ratio increased by 0.5% to 59.4%.
6/7/2015: in June of 2015 : According to the Department of Labor Statistics, the number of new claims for unemployment benefits decreased by 8,000 last week, to reach a total of 276,000. The four-week moving average increased by 2,750, to reach 274,750. Insured unemployment dropped by 30 thousand to reach 2,196 thousand.
6/1/2015: in June of 2015 : Reported by the Department of Labor Statistics, unemployment claims increased by 7,000 last week to reach a total of 282,000. The moving average for four-weeks rose by 5,000 to reach a total of 271,500. Insured unemployment increased by 11 thousand to reach 2,222 thousand.
5/26/2015: in May of 2015 : While over 50% of all low-end jobs at Fortune 500 companies are occupied by women, only 1 out of 7 corporate board and executive roles are held by women. Women are also more pre-disposed to get trapped in low-paying jobs than their male counterparts. Here are some answers. Continue reading
5/24/2015: in May of 2015 : The Labor Statistics Department reported that the number of new unemployment claims increased by 10,000 last week, to reach a total of 274,000. The four-week moving average decreased by 5,500, to reach 266,250 - the lowest level since 2000.
5/18/2015: in May of 2015 : According to the Department of Labor Statistics, the number of new claims for unemployment benefits decreased by 1,000 last week, to reach a total of 264,000. The four-week moving average decreased by 7,750, to reach 271,750 - the lowest level since April 2000. The largest decreases were in MA, GA, and CA.
5/8/2015: in May of 2015 : According to the Department of Labor Statistics, the number of new claims for unemployment benefits increased by 3,000 last week, to reach a total of 265,000. The four-week moving average decreased by 4,250, to reach 279,500 - the lowest level since May 2000. The largest decrease is in NY, followed by CA and MI due to fewer layoffs in multiple industries.
5/2/2015: in May of 2015 : According to the Department of Labor Statistics, the number of new claims for unemployment benefits decreased by 34,000 last week, to reach a total of 262,000 - the lowest level for unemployment claims since April 2000 when it was 259,000. The four-week moving average decreased by 1,250, to reach 283,750. Federal Reserve anticipates the unemployment rate to go down to 5% sometime this year.
4/30/2015: in April of 2015 : According to the Department of Labor Statistics, the number of new claims for unemployment benefits decreased by 34,000 last week, to reach a total of 262,000 - the lowest level for unemployment claims since April 2000 when it was 259,000. The four-week moving average decreased by 1,250, to reach 283,750. Federal Reserve anticipates the unemployment rate to go down to 5% sometime this year.
4/27/2015: in April of 2015 : 2016 presidential race is heating up. Four major contenders, among them one Democrat and four Republicans, have already tossed their hats into the ring. Here is how these four presidential hopefuls propose to tackle the unemployment. Continue reading
4/26/2015: in April of 2015 : According to the Labor Statistics Department, initial unemployment claims increased by 1,000 last week to reach a total of 295,000. The 4-week moving average increased by 1,750 to reach a total of 284,500. Most of the increase is due to layoffs across multiple industries in CA, NY, and NJ.
4/20/2015: in April of 2015 : In spite of multiple warnings that number of states have overpaid millions of dollars in unemployment benefits, they have continued issuing such benefits to state employees, prisoners, and even the dead individuals, while 3 million people who are considered long-term unemployed receive no benefits at all. Continue reading
4/19/2015: in April of 2015 : Reported by the Department of Labor Statistics, unemployment claims increased by 12,000 last week to reach a total of 294,000. The moving average for four-weeks rose by 250 to reach a total of 282,750. Insured unemployment decreased by 40 thousand last week to reach 2,268 thousand - the lowest level since December 2000 when it was 2,263 thousand.
4/14/2015: in April of 2015 : A new research conducted by the Emory University of Atlanta found that depression among unemployed young adults is three times as high as that among their employed peers. The study suggests that a high unemployment rate isn’t just an economic issue. It is also a public health problem. Continue reading
4/9/2015: in April of 2015 : Reported by the Labor Statistics Department, initial unemployment claims increased by 14,000 last week to reach a total of 281,000. The 4-week moving average decreased by 3,000 to reach a total of 282,250 - the lowest level since mid-year of 2000 when it was 281,500.
4/6/2015: in April of 2015 : Despite weaker economic growth in the 1st quarter of this year, eight states have already reduced the unemployment benefits to less than 26 weeks, while others are exploring the possibility of either decreasing the number of weeks or cutting the weekly amounts. Much of this notion is driven by the fact that lately claims have experienced a significant decline. Continue reading
4/2/2015: in April of 2015 : Published by the Department of Labor Statistics, the number of new unemployment claims decreased by 20,000 to reach 268,000. The 4-week moving average declined by 14,750 to reach 285,500. TX lost jobs across multiple industries while TN, CA, PA, and MI saw significant improvements in unemployment. The unemployment rate in March 2015 remained at the same 5.5% level as in February.
3/29/2015: in March of 2015 : Unemployment numbers reported in February exceeded the expectations of economists and asserted that unemployment improved to pre-recession level. While this is certainly good for the U.S. economy, the long-term unemployment figures have changed very little. There are currently 2.7 million long-term unemployed that account for 31% of all unemployed Americans. These individuals may experience a reduction of their wages up to as much as 10% for as long as ten years after getting hired. Continue reading
3/22/2015: in March of 2015 : The Labor Statistics Department reported that the number of new unemployment claims increased by 1,000 to reach a total of 291,000. The previous week's claims numbers were revised from 289,000 to 290,000. The 4-week moving average increased by 2,250, to reach 304,750. The prior week's average was revised from 302,250 to 302,500. New York displayed the strongest economic performance while Texas and Florida performed the worst. While the labor market has improved significantly, the economy will return to its high-growth state in the next few years.
3/18/2015: in March of 2015 : A new study conducted by the National Bureau of Economic Research claims that Congress’s decision not to extend unemployment benefits in 2014 truly helped workers and created 1.8 million extra jobs. So what is the conclusion? Cut the unemployment benefits and unemployment will go down. The facts, as it turns out, are far more complex. Continue reading
3/15/2015: in March of 2015 : According to the Labor Statistics Department, the number of new unemployment claims decreased by 36,000 to reach a total of 289,000. The prior week's claims figure was revised from 320,000 to 325,000. The 4-week moving average declined by 3,750, to reach 302,250. The prior week's average was adjusted from 304,750 to 306,000. There were no particular factors impacting this week's initial claims.
3/6/2015: in March of 2015 : The new weekly unemployment claim numbers released by the Department of Labor increased by 7,000 to reach 320,000 mainly due to 3,800 layoffs in the MA educational service industry and 2,900 fewer jobs due to inclement weather in KY. The four-week moving average rose by 10,250 to 304,750. The US economy added 295,000 new jobs in February, blasting past economists' expectations of 240,000 new jobs. The unemployment rate dropped to 5.5% from January's 5.7%, the lowest since May 2008, when the rate was 5.4%.
3/3/2015: in March of 2015 : Long-term unemployed or recently lost your job? Depression and suicidal thoughts start invading your mind? Well, you are not alone. According to the latest study conducted by Swiss scientists, about 20% of all suicides are linked to unemployment. Also, if you can recommend any local suicide help services, support groups or hotlines, please forward this information to us and we will share it with those in need. Continue reading
3/1/2015: in March of 2015 : Announced by the Labor Department, the number of new weekly claims for unemployment benefits increased by 21,000 resulting in 313,000 new applications. The four-week moving average rose to 294,500. With more than one million new jobs added between November and January, the total number of unemployment benefit recipients declined to 2.4 million. Preliminary unemployment rate in February is 5.6%.
2/22/2015: in February of 2015 : Reported by the Department of Labor, the number of new weekly claims for unemployment benefits decreased by 21,000 resulting in 283,000 new applications. The four-week moving average declined to 283,250, the lowest level since October 2014. Average hourly wages started inching up with 0.5% increase in January.
2/18/2015: in February of 2015 : In the past 13 month, the economy added almost 3.5 million new jobs, including 750,000 in November and December. The labor participation rate grew to 62.9% from 62.7% in December. Also, here is why the unemployment rate increased to 5.7% in January. Continue reading
2/14/2015: in February of 2015 : Reported by the Department of Labor, the number of new weekly claims for unemployment benefits increased by 25,000. The largest increase came from the service industry in California, to reach a total of 304,000. The four-week moving average was 289,750. January's unemployment rate has risen to 5.7%.
2/8/2015: in February of 2015 : Regardless of the fact that over 2% of the country’s labor force is still unemployed for more than six months, the steadily declining weekly initial unemployment claims signify an ever strengthening employment market. Our analysis indicates that Republicans will be focusing on cutting expenses rather than funding EUC this year. The overall expectation is that the unemployment rate will drop so low by mid-2015 that employers will start hiring long-term unemployed. Continue reading
2/5/2015: in February of 2015 : According to the Department of Labor, the number of new claims for unemployment benefits experienced an increase of 11,000 to reach a total of 278,000. The previous week's level had been raised to 267,000, an increase of another 2,000. The current total 4-week moving average is 292,750.
1/29/2015: in January of 2015 : What will the US unemployment situation look like in 2015? Let’s take a look at some of the most important unemployment predictions. The economy generated an impressive 2.95 million new jobs. Joblessness rate fell to 11.2%. People are getting hired, but wages are still stagnating. Projections indicate that wages will increase by 2.5% this year. Continue reading
1/27/2015: in January of 2015 : According to the Department of Labor, the number of new claims for unemployment benefits experienced only a slight decrease of 10,000 to reach a total of 307,000. The largest numbers of layoffs were in California and Texas. Economists had expected that number to decline to 300,000. This represents three consecutive weeks that claims have been above 300,000.
1/22/2015: in January of 2015 : “2014 was a truly outstanding year for the labor market,†James Marple, an economist at TD Securities, explained, “Companies are increasingly looking to hire.†Economists forecast that in 2015, the U.S. economy will continue powering ahead of other large economies, notably those of Europe with the grow of more than 3%. Long-term unemployment fell by 27% last year. Still more must be done to boost stagnating wages. Continue reading
1/19/2015: in January of 2015 : According to the Department of Labor, the number of new claims for unemployment benefits experienced a sharp increase of 19,000 to reach a total of 316,000. This represents the first time in four months that unemployment claims filings exceeded the 300,000 threshold. Economists had predicted a drop to 295,000. The number of people claiming benefits was 2.8 million compared to 4.7M a year ago. Last week no State claimed Extended Benefits.
1/15/2015: in January of 2015 : As a result of high student loan burdens, in conjunction with high rates of unemployment and underemployment, 7 million Americans or 18% of all education debt holders defaulted on their student loans. With over 60 percent of employers checking credit scores before hiring or promoting, ineligibility for some federal jobs, and withheld educational transcripts, those who need employment most desperately, suffer the most. Continue reading
1/13/2015: in January of 2015 : According to the Department of Labor, the number of new claims for unemployment benefits decreased by 4,000 to reach a total of 294,000 last week, while Michigan and New Jersey experienced increases in claims. Economists had predicted that claims would decline to 290,000. The four-week moving average declined to 290,500, a drop of 250. The moving average has remained below 300,000 for 17 consecutive weeks.
1/7/2015: in January of 2015 : While the short-term unemployment rate is on the decline, over 2% of the labor force remains long-term unemployed. What is even worse, finding and keeping jobs can be particularly problematic for the long-term unemployed. 30% of the long-term unemployed that eventually find a job lose it within 12 months. Studies reveal discrimination towards the long-term unemployed, also known as an “unemployment trapâ€. Continue reading
1/4/2015: in January of 2015 : According to the US Department of Labor, initial unemployment claims increased by 17,000 last week to reach a total of 298,000. The four-week moving average also increased by 250 to reach a total of 290,750. Most of the job losses are due to layoffs in the construction industry. The preliminary unemployment rate for December is at 5.6 percent.
Latest news | 2017 news | 2016 news | 2015 news | 2014 news | Older news
*IMPORTANT: Be sure to check with your State for details on your full eligibility requirements, or to begin the voluntary benefits process.
