New applications for U.S. unemployment insurance benefits rose 13,000 for the week ending April 29 to a seasonally adjusted 242,000. The previous week’s figure was revised down from 230,000 to 229,000. The four-week moving average as of April 29 rose to 239,250 from a revised 235,750 as of the week ending April 22.
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, fell 38,000 from the previous week’s revised number to a seasonally adjusted 1.805 million for the week ending April 22. 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.
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