Initial Jobless Claims — Historical Chart

Frequently Asked Questions

What are initial jobless claims?

Initial jobless claims (Initial Claims for Unemployment Insurance) count the number of individuals who filed for first-time unemployment benefits in a given week. Released every Thursday by the Department of Labor, they cover the week ending the prior Saturday.

What level of jobless claims signals economic stress?

Historically, sustained claims above 300,000 per week signal a weakening labor market. During the COVID-19 peak in March 2020, claims hit 6.6 million in a single week. In a healthy labor market, claims typically run between 200,000-250,000.

Why are jobless claims a leading indicator?

Rising jobless claims precede payroll losses because people file for benefits when they are first laid off — before the monthly payroll surveys capture the decline in employment. Sustained increases in claims typically signal payroll weakness 4-6 weeks ahead.

What is the difference between initial and continuing claims?

Initial claims count new filers in a given week. Continuing claims count all people receiving unemployment benefits at any given time. Rising continuing claims signal that laid-off workers are struggling to find new jobs, indicating a more severe labor market downturn.