Recurring jobless claims spike to highest level since 2021 at 1.96 million

Man walking by a jack in the box with a "now hiring" sign (Credit: Frederic J. BROWN / AFP)

• New data from the Labor Department shows 1.96 million people were on unemployment benefits the week ending May 31. That is the highest number since mid-November 2021, when they topped 1.97 million. While other data shows a steady labor market, these new figures indicate more people are unemployed at the same time.

Recurring claims for unemployment benefits hit their highest level in more than three years, according to data from the Labor Department released on Thursday.