There were almost 100,000 more complaints than economists predicted, as well as an increase from the previous week – which was also revised upwards.
The anniversary of the peak of benefit claims is only a month away. Last year, initial complaints jumped to 3.3 million in the week ending March 21, before reaching 6.9 million the following week.
In addition to the state’s regular claims, 516,299 Americans applied for benefits through the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, which provides help to people as self-employed or temporary workers.
Taken together, claims for the first time reached 1.4 million last week, not adjusted for seasonal fluctuations.
Applications for continued unemployment benefits, which have records of at least two consecutive weeks, reached 4.5 million.
This is a developing story. Will be updated