New applications for U.S. unemployment insurance benefits rose 13,000 for the week ending Nov. 11 to a seasonally adjusted 231,000. The previous week’s figure was revised up by 1,000 to 218,000. The four-week moving average as of Nov. 11 rose 7,750 from the previous week’s revised average to 220,250.
The number of continuing unemployment insurance claims, which refers to the number of unemployed workers who filed for benefits at least two weeks ago and are actively receiving unemployment benefits, rose 32,000 from the previous week’s unrevised number to a seasonally adjusted 1.865 million for the week ending Nov. 4. Reporting for continuing claims lags one week.
Unemployment insurance is a joint federal and state program that provides temporary monetary benefits to eligible laid-off workers who are actively seeking new employment. Qualifying individuals receive unemployment compensation as a percentage of their lost wages in the form of weekly cash benefits while they search for new employment.
The federal government oversees the general administration of state unemployment insurance programs. The states control the specific features of their unemployment insurance programs, such as eligibility requirements and length of benefits.
For information about unemployment insurance programs across the country, click here.
Additional reading: