Washington, DC, March 2, 2006--Applications for unemployment benefits rose by 15,000 to 294,000 in the week ending Feb. 25, according to a Labor Department report.
The four-week average of new claims rose by 5,250 to 287,250.
A Labor Department official said seasonal adjustment factors could not entirely adjust for the timing of the Lincoln's birthday and Presidents Day holidays. State unemployment offices are closed on federal and state holidays, cutting into the time available for filing claims.
