WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of newly laid-off workers signing up for unemployment benefits posted an expected drop last week, while people continuing to draw aid topped 6.3 million, setting a record for the 13th straight week.
The Labor Department says new applications for unemployment insurance fell to a seasonally adjusted 631,000 last week. That was down from the prior week’s 645,000, which was revised slightly higher from the government’s initial estimate.
Economists expected a small increase in new claims.
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The number of people continuing to draw unemployment benefits jumped to 6.3 million, the highest on records dating back to 1967 and steeper than economists expected.
