Economic Indicators Unemployment Insurance (UI) Claims
Key numbers • UI claims
-1.6%
Change in continued claims, regular state programs, from same week prior year
88%
Change in continued claims, federal programs, from same week prior year
Every week, the Department of Labor’s Unemployment Insurance (UI) Weekly Claims News Release tells us how many people filed for unemployment insurance (initial claims) and how many people were receiving unemployment insurance benefits (continued or insured unemployment).
These data are collected at the state level and are reported separately for regular state programs, federal programs, and other smaller categories.
Regular State Programs
Unemployment Insurance
Initial UI claims, regular state programs (thousands)
| Report Date | Latest 52 weeks | Same week, prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-01-04 | 306.295 | 318.906 |
| 2025-01-11 | 352.63 | 291.33 |
| 2025-01-18 | 284.6 | 249.947 |
| 2025-01-25 | 228.484 | 263.919 |
| 2025-02-01 | 241.111 | 234.729 |
| 2025-02-08 | 232.685 | 223.985 |
| 2025-02-15 | 223.539 | 199.337 |
| 2025-02-22 | 220.856 | 195.604 |
| 2025-03-01 | 226.019 | 214.425 |
| 2025-03-08 | 214.007 | 202.723 |
| 2025-03-15 | 207.398 | 191.773 |
| 2025-03-22 | 199.9 | 193.923 |
| 2025-03-29 | 200.081 | 197.349 |
| 2025-04-05 | 216.534 | 215.265 |
| 2025-04-12 | 220.962 | 209.064 |
| 2025-04-19 | 210.816 | 202.619 |
| 2025-04-26 | 224.021 | 189.634 |
| 2025-05-03 | 206.71 | 210.05 |
| 2025-05-10 | 203.579 | 197.68 |
| 2025-05-17 | 200.637 | 192.717 |
| 2025-05-24 | 210.16 | 197.164 |
| 2025-05-31 | 207.512 | 196.177 |
| 2025-06-07 | 243.98 | 236.046 |
| 2025-06-14 | 234.859 | 227.98 |
| 2025-06-21 | 227.516 | 225.13 |
| 2025-06-28 | 230.392 | 239.403 |
| 2025-07-05 | 241.361 | 242.201 |
| 2025-07-12 | 261.111 | 280.569 |
| 2025-07-19 | 216.023 | 225.855 |
| 2025-07-26 | 193.79 | 216.673 |
| 2025-08-02 | 195.492 | 204.066 |
| 2025-08-09 | 199.39 | 200.837 |
| 2025-08-16 | 194.217 | 192.455 |
| 2025-08-23 | 191.208 | 192.739 |
| 2025-08-30 | 196.712 | 190.623 |
| 2025-09-06 | 204.862 | 178.682 |
| 2025-09-13 | 195.433 | 186.832 |
| 2025-09-20 | 180.992 | 181.701 |
| 2025-09-27 | 179.162 | 181.204 |
| 2025-10-04 | 207.124 | 236.171 |
| 2025-10-11 | 210.777 | 225.23 |
| 2025-10-18 | 205.653 | 203.475 |
| 2025-10-25 | 203.012 | 201.443 |
| 2025-11-01 | 216.026 | 212.741 |
| 2025-11-08 | 238.729 | 230.801 |
| 2025-11-15 | 218.228 | 214.254 |
| 2025-11-22 | 244.713 | 245.27 |
| 2025-11-29 | 198.173 | 211.323 |
| 2025-12-06 | 314.915 | 309.775 |
| 2025-12-13 | 255.177 | 252.349 |
| 2025-12-20 | 264.566 | 275.638 |
| 2025-12-27 | 271.346 | 283.652 |
| 2026-01-03 | 298.7 | 306.295 |
| 2026-01-10 | 330.963 | 352.63 |
| 2026-01-17 | 272.436 | 284.6 |
| 2026-01-24 | 231.633 | 228.484 |
| 2026-01-31 | 251.651 | 241.111 |
Note: Data is not seasonally adjusted.
Source: EPI analysis of U.S. Employment and Training Administration Report 539 data from Department of Labor (DOL).
Unemployment Insurance
Continued UI claims, regular state programs (thousands)
| Report Date | Latest 52 weeks | Same week, prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-01-04 | 2273.651 | 2122.561 |
| 2025-01-11 | 2246.551 | 2053.289 |
| 2025-01-18 | 2170.633 | 2181.43 |
| 2025-01-25 | 2250.894 | 2130.018 |
| 2025-02-01 | 2185.828 | 2139.97 |
| 2025-02-08 | 2191.042 | 2092.787 |
| 2025-02-15 | 2160.103 | 2092.108 |
| 2025-02-22 | 2229.07 | 2113.581 |
| 2025-03-01 | 2149.919 | 2078.603 |
| 2025-03-08 | 2116.538 | 2008.79 |
| 2025-03-15 | 2072.402 | 2012.613 |
| 2025-03-22 | 2058.751 | 1937.982 |
| 2025-03-29 | 1985.73 | 1928.017 |
| 2025-04-05 | 1943.418 | 1848.827 |
| 2025-04-12 | 1880.372 | 1812.811 |
| 2025-04-19 | 1898.153 | 1753.465 |
| 2025-04-26 | 1838.279 | 1743.445 |
| 2025-05-03 | 1782.724 | 1686.177 |
| 2025-05-10 | 1779.686 | 1686.782 |
| 2025-05-17 | 1775.51 | 1666.648 |
| 2025-05-24 | 1755.336 | 1670.55 |
| 2025-05-31 | 1826.063 | 1708.158 |
| 2025-06-07 | 1813.454 | 1727.754 |
| 2025-06-14 | 1862.043 | 1748.567 |
| 2025-06-21 | 1900.787 | 1821.4 |
| 2025-06-28 | 1895.589 | 1795.365 |
| 2025-07-05 | 2011.507 | 1945.731 |
| 2025-07-12 | 2006.612 | 1914.075 |
| 2025-07-19 | 2005.922 | 1934.382 |
| 2025-07-26 | 1999.973 | 1907.041 |
| 2025-08-02 | 1973.535 | 1883.372 |
| 2025-08-09 | 1955.067 | 1857.167 |
| 2025-08-16 | 1934.367 | 1843.217 |
| 2025-08-23 | 1892.212 | 1800.515 |
| 2025-08-30 | 1803.347 | 1704.638 |
| 2025-09-06 | 1759.884 | 1671.837 |
| 2025-09-13 | 1718.818 | 1628.081 |
| 2025-09-20 | 1696.023 | 1613.719 |
| 2025-09-27 | 1683.703 | 1614.385 |
| 2025-10-04 | 1651.988 | 1598.241 |
| 2025-10-11 | 1674.202 | 1627.825 |
| 2025-10-18 | 1708.691 | 1616.144 |
| 2025-10-25 | 1712.402 | 1646.982 |
| 2025-11-01 | 1720.202 | 1647.301 |
| 2025-11-08 | 1708.938 | 1660.894 |
| 2025-11-15 | 1781.543 | 1721.154 |
| 2025-11-22 | 1696.513 | 1661.071 |
| 2025-11-29 | 1956.626 | 1933.23 |
| 2025-12-06 | 1870.127 | 1864.863 |
| 2025-12-13 | 1984.259 | 1946.787 |
| 2025-12-20 | 1871.131 | 1860.888 |
| 2025-12-27 | 2183.177 | 2187.475 |
| 2026-01-03 | 2299.237 | 2273.651 |
| 2026-01-10 | 2228.751 | 2246.551 |
| 2026-01-17 | 2136.751 | 2170.633 |
| 2026-01-24 | 2214.483 | 2250.894 |
Notes: Data is not seasonally adjusted. Continued claims represent the current number of insured unemployed workers filing for UI benefits.
Source: EPI analysis of U.S. Employment and Training Administration Report 539 data from Department of Labor (DOL).
Unemployment Insurance
Change in continued UI claims from same week prior year, United States and Washington, D.C.
| Report Date | DC | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| 2025-01-04 | 20.0% | 3.8% |
| 2025-01-11 | 23.0% | 4.7% |
| 2025-01-18 | 22.3% | 4.9% |
| 2025-01-25 | 32.4% | 5.4% |
| 2025-02-01 | 39.6% | 4.1% |
| 2025-02-08 | 45.4% | 3.0% |
| 2025-02-15 | 56.8% | 3.9% |
| 2025-02-22 | 59.6% | 3.9% |
| 2025-03-01 | 71.4% | 4.2% |
| 2025-03-08 | 83.0% | 4.4% |
| 2025-03-15 | 89.9% | 4.3% |
| 2025-03-22 | 91.5% | 4.5% |
| 2025-03-29 | 93.2% | 4.4% |
| 2025-04-05 | 93.1% | 4.3% |
| 2025-04-12 | 95.1% | 4.5% |
| 2025-04-19 | 96.3% | 5.0% |
| 2025-04-26 | 95.7% | 5.6% |
| 2025-05-03 | 92.8% | 5.8% |
| 2025-05-10 | 90.2% | 6.2% |
| 2025-05-17 | 87.9% | 5.8% |
| 2025-05-24 | 86.1% | 5.7% |
| 2025-05-31 | 83.4% | 6.0% |
| 2025-06-07 | 82.8% | 5.9% |
| 2025-06-14 | 84.4% | 5.9% |
| 2025-06-21 | 82.5% | 5.7% |
| 2025-06-28 | 82.3% | 5.3% |
| 2025-07-05 | 80.1% | 4.9% |
| 2025-07-12 | 77.2% | 4.5% |
| 2025-07-19 | 77.8% | 4.3% |
| 2025-07-26 | 78.4% | 4.2% |
| 2025-08-02 | 78.8% | 4.5% |
| 2025-08-09 | 76.4% | 4.6% |
| 2025-08-16 | 72.7% | 5.0% |
| 2025-08-23 | 67.8% | 5.0% |
| 2025-08-30 | 63.9% | 5.3% |
| 2025-09-06 | 59.5% | 5.3% |
| 2025-09-13 | 56.7% | 5.4% |
| 2025-09-20 | 55.6% | 5.4% |
| 2025-09-27 | 53.2% | 5.1% |
| 2025-10-04 | 52.9% | 4.6% |
| 2025-10-11 | 52.0% | 3.9% |
| 2025-10-18 | 53.0% | 4.1% |
| 2025-10-25 | 55.0% | 4.0% |
| 2025-11-01 | 59.5% | 4.2% |
| 2025-11-08 | 61.0% | 4.2% |
| 2025-11-15 | 57.4% | 3.7% |
| 2025-11-22 | 51.4% | 3.2% |
| 2025-11-29 | 42.1% | 2.4% |
| 2025-12-06 | 34.7% | 1.7% |
| 2025-12-13 | 29.1% | 1.4% |
| 2025-12-20 | 25.1% | 1.0% |
| 2025-12-27 | 21.1% | 0.6% |
| 2026-01-03 | 19.5% | 0.8% |
| 2026-01-10 | 16.4% | 0.2% |
| 2026-01-17 | 14.6% | -0.3% |
| 2026-01-24 | 16.8% | -0.7% |
Note: Values are not seasonally adjusted and are smoothed using the average value over the last four weeks. Continued claims represent the current number of insured unemployed workers filing for UI benefits.
Source: EPI analysis of U.S. Employment and Training Administration Report 539 data from the Department of Labor.
Federal Programs
Unemployment Insurance
Initial UI claims, federal programs
| report_date | Latest 52 weeks | Same week, prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-12-28 | 343 | 415 |
| 2025-01-04 | 479 | 643 |
| 2025-01-11 | 597 | 762 |
| 2025-01-18 | 495 | 420 |
| 2025-01-25 | 497 | 502 |
| 2025-02-01 | 599 | 411 |
| 2025-02-08 | 613 | 382 |
| 2025-02-15 | 613 | 337 |
| 2025-02-22 | 1634 | 330 |
| 2025-03-01 | 1580 | 393 |
| 2025-03-08 | 1066 | 365 |
| 2025-03-15 | 821 | 362 |
| 2025-03-22 | 564 | 371 |
| 2025-03-29 | 508 | 322 |
| 2025-04-05 | 542 | 327 |
| 2025-04-12 | 657 | 361 |
| 2025-04-19 | 466 | 365 |
| 2025-04-26 | 465 | 343 |
| 2025-05-03 | 434 | 385 |
| 2025-05-10 | 599 | 386 |
| 2025-05-17 | 592 | 338 |
| 2025-05-24 | 523 | 353 |
| 2025-05-31 | 553 | 400 |
| 2025-06-07 | 532 | 419 |
| 2025-06-14 | 472 | 344 |
| 2025-06-21 | 453 | 336 |
| 2025-06-28 | 438 | 372 |
| 2025-07-05 | 596 | 327 |
| 2025-07-12 | 789 | 476 |
| 2025-07-19 | 722 | 392 |
| 2025-07-26 | 708 | 314 |
| 2025-08-02 | 637 | 334 |
| 2025-08-09 | 635 | 336 |
| 2025-08-16 | 588 | 285 |
| 2025-08-23 | 515 | 307 |
| 2025-08-30 | 527 | 274 |
| 2025-09-06 | 572 | 266 |
| 2025-09-13 | 635 | 313 |
| 2025-09-20 | 530 | 278 |
| 2025-09-27 | 588 | 313 |
| 2025-10-04 | 3272 | 351 |
| 2025-10-11 | 7291 | 434 |
| 2025-10-18 | 10064 | 392 |
| 2025-10-25 | 9436 | 533 |
| 2025-11-01 | 7483 | 507 |
| 2025-11-08 | 5721 | 622 |
| 2025-11-15 | 1724 | 529 |
| 2025-11-22 | 1126 | 760 |
| 2025-11-29 | 643 | 399 |
| 2025-12-06 | 1091 | 759 |
| 2025-12-13 | 805 | 549 |
| 2025-12-20 | 817 | 507 |
| 2025-12-27 | 476 | 343 |
| 2026-01-03 | 646 | 479 |
| 2026-01-10 | 1010 | 597 |
| 2026-01-17 | 798 | 495 |
| 2026-01-24 | 568 | 497 |
Note: Data is not seasonally adjusted.
Source: EPI analysis of U.S. Employment and Training Administration Report 539 data from Department of Labor (DOL).
Unemployment Insurance
Continued UI claims, federal programs
| Report Date | Latest 52 weeks | Same week, prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2024-12-28 | 6374 | 6577 |
| 2025-01-04 | 6854 | 6766 |
| 2025-01-11 | 7381 | 6708 |
| 2025-01-18 | 6684 | 7383 |
| 2025-01-25 | 7470 | 6953 |
| 2025-02-01 | 7120 | 6893 |
| 2025-02-08 | 7621 | 6819 |
| 2025-02-15 | 7422 | 6594 |
| 2025-02-22 | 8230 | 6876 |
| 2025-03-01 | 8929 | 6208 |
| 2025-03-08 | 9136 | 6241 |
| 2025-03-15 | 8246 | 5891 |
| 2025-03-22 | 7721 | 5881 |
| 2025-03-29 | 7192 | 5546 |
| 2025-04-05 | 7019 | 5274 |
| 2025-04-12 | 6640 | 5091 |
| 2025-04-19 | 6716 | 5030 |
| 2025-04-26 | 6570 | 4764 |
| 2025-05-03 | 6473 | 4737 |
| 2025-05-10 | 6377 | 4494 |
| 2025-05-17 | 6717 | 4648 |
| 2025-05-24 | 6323 | 4401 |
| 2025-05-31 | 7076 | 4634 |
| 2025-06-07 | 6738 | 4553 |
| 2025-06-14 | 7103 | 4568 |
| 2025-06-21 | 6947 | 4433 |
| 2025-06-28 | 7035 | 4605 |
| 2025-07-05 | 7226 | 4711 |
| 2025-07-12 | 7407 | 4658 |
| 2025-07-19 | 7831 | 4767 |
| 2025-07-26 | 8193 | 4855 |
| 2025-08-02 | 8237 | 4505 |
| 2025-08-09 | 8456 | 4632 |
| 2025-08-16 | 8128 | 4308 |
| 2025-08-23 | 8211 | 4191 |
| 2025-08-30 | 7863 | 3852 |
| 2025-09-06 | 8168 | 3898 |
| 2025-09-13 | 8223 | 4001 |
| 2025-09-20 | 8469 | 4033 |
| 2025-09-27 | 8678 | 3929 |
| 2025-10-04 | 9996 | 3819 |
| 2025-10-11 | 14464 | 3903 |
| 2025-10-18 | 23194 | 4038 |
| 2025-10-25 | 30651 | 4246 |
| 2025-11-01 | 38873 | 4454 |
| 2025-11-08 | 33085 | 4760 |
| 2025-11-15 | 17862 | 5023 |
| 2025-11-22 | 12732 | 5081 |
| 2025-11-29 | 14077 | 5997 |
| 2025-12-06 | 12887 | 6031 |
| 2025-12-13 | 13386 | 6577 |
| 2025-12-20 | 12129 | 6210 |
| 2025-12-27 | 12803 | 6374 |
| 2026-01-03 | 12977 | 6854 |
| 2026-01-10 | 13360 | 7381 |
| 2026-01-17 | 12565 | 6684 |
Note: Data is not seasonally adjusted. Continued claims represent the current number of insured unemployed workers filing for UI benefits.
Source: EPI analysis of U.S. Employment and Training Administration Report 539 data from Department of Labor (DOL).
Unemployment Insurance
Change in federal continued UI claims from same week prior year, by selected states
| Report Date | D.C. | MD | VA | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025-01-04 | -10.5% | -5.6% | 22.1% | -0.1% |
| 2025-01-11 | -6.7% | -1.0% | 24.2% | 1.8% |
| 2025-01-18 | -10.8% | 9.1% | 21.7% | -0.5% |
| 2025-01-25 | 3.3% | 22.5% | 17.0% | 2.1% |
| 2025-02-01 | 22.8% | 26.0% | 14.6% | 2.6% |
| 2025-02-08 | 60.8% | 24.5% | 17.6% | 3.0% |
| 2025-02-15 | 140.6% | 14.8% | 21.9% | 8.7% |
| 2025-02-22 | 235.5% | 26.6% | 31.5% | 11.8% |
| 2025-03-01 | 380.3% | 32.8% | 46.5% | 21.5% |
| 2025-03-08 | 511.8% | 49.7% | 58.0% | 30.1% |
| 2025-03-15 | 605.1% | 76.8% | 67.6% | 37.0% |
| 2025-03-22 | 648.5% | 80.8% | 72.0% | 40.5% |
| 2025-03-29 | 628.8% | 84.6% | 69.2% | 37.1% |
| 2025-04-05 | 619.1% | 72.9% | 66.5% | 33.6% |
| 2025-04-12 | 641.6% | 56.8% | 67.5% | 31.1% |
| 2025-04-19 | 654.9% | 44.1% | 72.8% | 31.6% |
| 2025-04-26 | 784.7% | 44.6% | 76.2% | 33.7% |
| 2025-05-03 | 828.3% | 48.2% | 80.3% | 34.5% |
| 2025-05-10 | 808.1% | 55.0% | 91.9% | 37.4% |
| 2025-05-17 | 872.8% | 76.6% | 99.0% | 40.2% |
| 2025-05-24 | 827.5% | 91.3% | 105.5% | 41.6% |
| 2025-05-31 | 810.1% | 113.8% | 112.3% | 45.8% |
| 2025-06-07 | 880.0% | 126.0% | 108.7% | 47.3% |
| 2025-06-14 | 876.5% | 129.8% | 108.2% | 50.0% |
| 2025-06-21 | 938.7% | 144.6% | 105.3% | 53.2% |
| 2025-06-28 | 1013.3% | 156.0% | 102.3% | 53.2% |
| 2025-07-05 | 1047.4% | 168.9% | 99.4% | 54.6% |
| 2025-07-12 | 1016.0% | 178.3% | 98.1% | 55.5% |
| 2025-07-19 | 1051.4% | 170.7% | 93.4% | 57.4% |
| 2025-07-26 | 1127.4% | 204.9% | 88.3% | 61.4% |
| 2025-08-02 | 1140.6% | 267.9% | 86.1% | 68.6% |
| 2025-08-09 | 1136.8% | 329.3% | 85.0% | 74.4% |
| 2025-08-16 | 1017.1% | 450.5% | 92.1% | 80.4% |
| 2025-08-23 | 1005.9% | 491.3% | 102.7% | 87.3% |
| 2025-08-30 | 1013.7% | 520.7% | 109.8% | 92.3% |
| 2025-09-06 | 1046.8% | 542.6% | 116.9% | 99.2% |
| 2025-09-13 | 1187.8% | 536.5% | 118.2% | 103.6% |
| 2025-09-20 | 1108.2% | 586.0% | 113.2% | 107.3% |
| 2025-09-27 | 1107.7% | 612.0% | 109.1% | 111.4% |
| 2025-10-04 | 1082.4% | 677.8% | 99.7% | 124.1% |
| 2025-10-11 | 1131.9% | 954.1% | 113.1% | 165.3% |
| 2025-10-18 | 1334.5% | 1356.5% | 172.8% | 259.1% |
| 2025-10-25 | 1479.0% | 1891.9% | 261.9% | 389.2% |
| 2025-11-01 | 1779.7% | 2633.5% | 363.9% | 544.1% |
| 2025-11-08 | 1910.1% | 3029.2% | 427.1% | 619.0% |
| 2025-11-15 | 1775.7% | 2620.1% | 397.7% | 551.8% |
| 2025-11-22 | 1576.8% | 2084.3% | 320.1% | 430.9% |
| 2025-11-29 | 1320.6% | 1309.3% | 240.3% | 272.7% |
| 2025-12-06 | 1120.3% | 728.3% | 187.4% | 160.1% |
| 2025-12-13 | 1087.4% | 628.1% | 173.8% | 124.1% |
| 2025-12-20 | 1078.6% | 607.7% | 178.1% | 111.5% |
| 2025-12-27 | 1076.2% | 607.6% | 182.6% | 103.3% |
| 2026-01-03 | 1036.8% | 571.7% | 176.5% | 97.2% |
| 2026-01-10 | 973.0% | 570.3% | 174.2% | 91.2% |
| 2026-01-17 | 931.7% | 539.8% | 181.4% | 89.4% |
Note: Values are not seasonally adjusted and are smoothed using the average value over the last four weeks. Latest week includes imputed values for Massachusetts using latest data available. Continued claims represent the current number of insured unemployed workers filing for UI benefits.
Source: EPI analysis of U.S. Employment and Training Administration Report 539 data from Department of Labor (DOL).