Jobless Claims Rise But Remain Near Levels at Pandemic Onset

Washington, DC, April 1, 2021–In the week ending March 27, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 719,000, an increase of 61,000 from the previous week's revised level, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. 

Despite the increase in the last week, unemployment insurance claims remain near the lowest levels of the pandemic.

The previous week's level was revised down by 26,000 from 684,000 to 658,000. The four-week moving average was 719,000, a decrease of 10,500 from the previous week's revised average. This is the lowest level for this average since March 14, 2020, when it was 225,500. The previous week's average was revised down by 6,500 from 736,000 to 729,500.