Unemployment Benefit Claims Hit Highest Level Since 1982

ThinkProgress
and
Ryan Powers
February 26, 2009Labor

Unemployment figures released by the Labor Department this morning show that 667,000 Americans applied for unemployment benefits last week, while the number of people "remaining on the benefits roll after drawing an initial week of assistance increased by 114,000 to 5.112 million." The Washington Post explains that the "new claims are the most since October 1982, although the labor force has grown by about half since then." Additionally, last week's figures were revised upward by 4,000 to 631,000.

Report typos and corrections to: feedback@alternet.org.

Should Trump be allowed to hold office again?

Understand the importance of honest news ?

So do we.

The past year has been the most arduous of our lives. The Covid-19 pandemic continues to be catastrophic not only to our health - mental and physical - but also to the stability of millions of people. For all of us independent news organizations, it’s no exception.

We’ve covered everything thrown at us this past year and will continue to do so with your support. We’ve always understood the importance of calling out corruption, regardless of political affiliation.

We need your support in this difficult time. Every reader contribution, no matter the amount, makes a difference in allowing our newsroom to bring you the stories that matter, at a time when being informed is more important than ever. Invest with us.

Make a one-time contribution to Alternet All Access, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you.

Click to donate by check.

DonateDonate by credit card
Donate by Paypal
{{ post.roar_specific_data.api_data.analytics }}
@2022 - AlterNet Media Inc. All Rights Reserved. - "Poynter" fonts provided by fontsempire.com.