Applications for jobless benefits rise again
Applications for jobless benefits rose last week for the first time in three weeks, evidence that companies are still reluctant to hire in a slow economy.
Applications for jobless benefits rose last week for the first time in three weeks, evidence that companies are still reluctant to hire in a slow economy.
The nation’s jobless rate has topped 9.5 percent for 14 straight months, the longest stretch since the 1930s.
In May, only one-quarter of 2010 college graduates who applied for a job actually received one, compared with more than half in 2007. About as many college graduates of all ages also are plagued by underemployment, working jobs below their skill level—including Butler grad Tom Otero.
The rise suggests that jobs remain scarce and some companies are still cutting workers amid sluggish economic growth.
The state’s jobless rate in August remained unchanged from the previous month’s figure of 10.2 percent. The loss of seasonal government and manufacturing jobs offset the addition of 3,000 private-sector jobs.
Still, the economy is barely growing and hiring is slow. Businesses and other private employers added a net total of 67,000 jobs in August, the Labor Department said.
Even with latest decline, new filings for jobless benefits are still much higher than they would be if the economy is healthy.
Overall, the economy lost 54,000 jobs as 114,000 temporary census positions came to an end. State and local governments shed 10,000 positions. The jobless rate rose to 9.6 percent from 9.5 percent in July.
Indiana’s unemployment rate in July was 10.1 percent—the 12th-highest of the 50 states. Nevada was running at 14.3 percent to lead the nation, while the lowest rate was 3.6 percent, in North Dakota. We’re much closer to the worst than we are to the best.
However, about 10.1 million people were receiving unemployment checks in the week ended Aug. 7, the latest data available.
That’s up about 260,000 from the previous week.
Indiana’s unemployment rate increased by a sliver, to 10.2 percent, in July despite increases in jobs in many industries.
Initial claims for unemployment benefits have now risen in three of the last four weeks and are close to their high point
for the year of 490,000, reached in late January.
The disappointing jobs data magnifies worries that slowing growth could end up leading the country back into recession during
the second half of the year.
Initial requests for jobless benefits rose last week to their highest level since April, a sign that hiring remains weak and
some companies are still cutting workers.
Personal spending was unchanged in June, the Commerce Department reported Tuesday. It was the third straight month of lackluster
consumer demand. Incomes were also flat, the weakest showing in nine months.
Economists expect the government to report Friday that economic growth slowed in the April-to-June quarter as consumers bought
less, builders pulled back further, and cash-hungry state and local governments cut spending.
The state Department of Workforce Development says about 80,000 Hoosiers will get restored eligibility covering about 250,000
weeks of payments thanks to a federal law signed last week.
President Barack Obama on Thursday signed into law a restoration of benefits for people who have been out of work for six
months or more. The move ended an interruption that cut off payments averaging about $300 a week to 2½ million people
who have been unable to find work in the aftermath of the nation's long and deep recession.
The sharp increase comes after claims fell steeply two weeks ago to their lowest level since August 2008. But much of that
drop was driven by temporary seasonal factors and not an improving job market.
A bill advancing in Congress that would restore unemployment benefits for millions of Americans could help about 80,000 Indiana
residents who have been out of work more than six months.