New applications for U.S. unemployment insurance benefits fell 2,000 for the week ending June 18 to a seasonally adjusted 229,000. The previous week’s figure was revised up from 229,000 to 231,000. The four-week moving average as of June 18 rose to 223,500 from a revised 219,000 as of the week ending June 11.
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 5,000 to a seasonally adjusted 1.315 million for the week ending June 11. Reporting for continuing claims lag 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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