New filings for unemployment benefits fell sharply in Maryland last week and were lower in Virginia as well. Initial unemployment claims were little changed in the District.
Nationwide, initial claims for unemployment benefits last week totaled 793,000, down just 19,000 from the previous week. On an unadjusted basis, excluding seasonal factors, initial claims totaled 813,145 during the week ending Feb. 6.
As of last week, 4.54 million Americans were receiving standard unemployment benefits, down 145,000 from the previous week. The Labor Department does not distinguish between benefits that have expired or recipients who voluntarily stopped receiving them.
Initial unemployment claims during the week ending Feb. 6, unadjusted, for D.C., Maryland and Virginia:
District of Columbia
Week ending Feb. 6: 1,533
Week ending Jan. 30: 1,499
Maryland
Week ending Feb. 6: 16,619
Week ending Jan. 30: 36,366
Virginia
Week ending Feb. 6:16,833
Week ending Jan. 30: 18,177
The Labor Department posts weekly unemployment claims by state online.
