Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
Editorials & Other Articles
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Economy
Related: About this forumUnemployment Insurance Weekly Claims for the week ending February 15
From the source, the U.S. Department of Labor Employment and Training Administration:
News Release
Connect with DOL at https://blog.dol.gov
TRANSMISSION OF MATERIALS IN THIS RELEASE IS EMBARGOED UNTIL
8:30 A.M. (Eastern) Thursday, February 20, 2025
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WEEKLY CLAIMS
SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA
In the week ending February 15, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 219,000, an increase of
5,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 213,000 to
214,000. The 4-week moving average was 215,250, a decrease of 1,000 from the previous week's revised average. The
previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 216,000 to 216,250.
The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 1.2 percent for the week ending February 8,
unchanged from the previous week's unrevised rate. The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured
unemployment during the week ending February 8 was 1,869,000, an increase of 24,000 from the previous week's
revised level. The previous week's level was revised down by 5,000 from 1,850,000 to 1,845,000. The 4-week moving
average was 1,862,500, a decrease of 7,750 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was
revised down by 1,250 from 1,871,500 to 1,870,250.
{snip two charts}
UNADJUSTED DATA
The advance number of actual initial claims under state programs, unadjusted, totaled 222,627 in the week ending
February 15, a decrease of 10,118 (or -4.3 percent) from the previous week. The seasonal factors had expected a decrease
of 15,416 (or -6.6 percent) from the previous week. There were 199,337 initial claims in the comparable week in 2024.
The advance unadjusted insured unemployment rate was 1.4 percent during the week ending February 8, unchanged from
the prior week. The advance unadjusted level of insured unemployment in state programs totaled 2,193,878, an increase
of 6,054 (or 0.3 percent) from the preceding week. The seasonal factors had expected a decrease of 22,136 (or -1.0
percent) from the previous week. A year earlier the rate was 1.4 percent and the volume was 2,092,801.
{snip a lot more}
Weekly Claims Archives
Weekly Claims Data
U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The Department's https://www.dol.gov/agencies/oasam/civil-rights-center/internal/reasonable-accomodations-resource-centerReasonable Accommodation
Resource Center] converts Departmental information and documents into alternative formats, which include Braille and large
print. For alternative format requests, please contact the Department at (202) 693-7828 (voice) or (800) 877-8339 (federal
relay).
U.S. Department of Labor
Employment and Training Administration
Washington, D.C. 20210
Release Number: USDL 25-235-NAT
Program Contacts:
Lawrence Essien: (202) 693-3087
Media Contact: (202) 693-4676
Connect with DOL at https://blog.dol.gov
TRANSMISSION OF MATERIALS IN THIS RELEASE IS EMBARGOED UNTIL
8:30 A.M. (Eastern) Thursday, February 20, 2025
UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE WEEKLY CLAIMS
SEASONALLY ADJUSTED DATA
In the week ending February 15, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 219,000, an increase of
5,000 from the previous week's revised level. The previous week's level was revised up by 1,000 from 213,000 to
214,000. The 4-week moving average was 215,250, a decrease of 1,000 from the previous week's revised average. The
previous week's average was revised up by 250 from 216,000 to 216,250.
The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 1.2 percent for the week ending February 8,
unchanged from the previous week's unrevised rate. The advance number for seasonally adjusted insured
unemployment during the week ending February 8 was 1,869,000, an increase of 24,000 from the previous week's
revised level. The previous week's level was revised down by 5,000 from 1,850,000 to 1,845,000. The 4-week moving
average was 1,862,500, a decrease of 7,750 from the previous week's revised average. The previous week's average was
revised down by 1,250 from 1,871,500 to 1,870,250.
{snip two charts}
UNADJUSTED DATA
The advance number of actual initial claims under state programs, unadjusted, totaled 222,627 in the week ending
February 15, a decrease of 10,118 (or -4.3 percent) from the previous week. The seasonal factors had expected a decrease
of 15,416 (or -6.6 percent) from the previous week. There were 199,337 initial claims in the comparable week in 2024.
The advance unadjusted insured unemployment rate was 1.4 percent during the week ending February 8, unchanged from
the prior week. The advance unadjusted level of insured unemployment in state programs totaled 2,193,878, an increase
of 6,054 (or 0.3 percent) from the preceding week. The seasonal factors had expected a decrease of 22,136 (or -1.0
percent) from the previous week. A year earlier the rate was 1.4 percent and the volume was 2,092,801.
{snip a lot more}
Weekly Claims Archives
Weekly Claims Data
U.S. Department of Labor news materials are accessible at http://www.dol.gov. The Department's https://www.dol.gov/agencies/oasam/civil-rights-center/internal/reasonable-accomodations-resource-centerReasonable Accommodation
Resource Center] converts Departmental information and documents into alternative formats, which include Braille and large
print. For alternative format requests, please contact the Department at (202) 693-7828 (voice) or (800) 877-8339 (federal
relay).
U.S. Department of Labor
Employment and Training Administration
Washington, D.C. 20210
Release Number: USDL 25-235-NAT
Program Contacts:
Lawrence Essien: (202) 693-3087
Media Contact: (202) 693-4676
7 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight:
NoneDon't highlight anything
5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies

Unemployment Insurance Weekly Claims for the week ending February 15 (Original Post)
mahatmakanejeeves
Feb 20
OP
It seems they are not counting these federal firings. Something is definitely amiss here.
LonePirate
Feb 20
#3
This does not count who was fired or laid off that week. This counts initial claims for unemployment benefits.
mahatmakanejeeves
Feb 20
#5
Slightly more Americans apply for unemployment benefits last week, but layoffs remain relatively low
mahatmakanejeeves
Feb 20
#4
Jarqui
(10,618 posts)1. Going forward under President Musk, how will we know this data is accurate?
Not only does he have to contend with the liar-in-chief ...
He's so busy chasing 300 year old people collecting social security ...
Lovie777
(17,687 posts)2. True............
but we will on the ground which has aleady begun.
Same with polls too.
LonePirate
(14,068 posts)3. It seems they are not counting these federal firings. Something is definitely amiss here.
mahatmakanejeeves
(64,033 posts)5. This does not count who was fired or laid off that week. This counts initial claims for unemployment benefits.
It takes a while for that to work its way into the system.
I added some paragraphs to reflect that.
And good morning.
LonePirate
(14,068 posts)6. Except those people should be filing unemployment claims.
They seem to be missing from the count unless you assume they not filing unemployment claims.
mahatmakanejeeves
(64,033 posts)7. Apparently they will show up in the next few weeks.
I added some paragraphs to reflect that.
And good morning.
mahatmakanejeeves
(64,033 posts)4. Slightly more Americans apply for unemployment benefits last week, but layoffs remain relatively low
And now, from those people who continue to give us the Gulf of Mexico:
AP Business
{Slightly} more Americans apply for unemployment benefits last week, but layoffs remain relatively low
by MATT OTT, Associated Press - 02/20/25 8:50 AM ET
Slightly more Americans applied for jobless benefits last week, but layoffs remained in the same recent healthy range.
The number of Americans filing for jobless benefits rose by 5,000 to 219,000 for the week ending Feb. 15, the Labor Department said Thursday. Analysts projected that 215,000 new applications would be filed.
Weekly applications for jobless benefits are considered a proxy for layoffs. ... The four-week average, which evens out some of the week-to-week volatility, fell by 1,000 to 215,250.
Some analysts say they expect layoffs ordered by the Department of Government Efficiency to show up in the report in the coming weeks.
{snip}
{Slightly} more Americans apply for unemployment benefits last week, but layoffs remain relatively low
by MATT OTT, Associated Press - 02/20/25 8:50 AM ET
Slightly more Americans applied for jobless benefits last week, but layoffs remained in the same recent healthy range.
The number of Americans filing for jobless benefits rose by 5,000 to 219,000 for the week ending Feb. 15, the Labor Department said Thursday. Analysts projected that 215,000 new applications would be filed.
Weekly applications for jobless benefits are considered a proxy for layoffs. ... The four-week average, which evens out some of the week-to-week volatility, fell by 1,000 to 215,250.
Some analysts say they expect layoffs ordered by the Department of Government Efficiency to show up in the report in the coming weeks.
{snip}