Unemployment claims decline

The Nebraska Department of Labor announced Thursday that continued unemployment claims declined last week compared to the prior week, but new claims increased. There were 53,673 continued weeks of regular unemployment claimed last week, a decrease of 4.5 percent from the prior week, when 56,219 claims were filed. There were 29,496 continued weeks of Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) claimed last week, compared to 29,522 the prior week.

Continued weeks refer to the individual weeks of unemployment claimed after a person applies for benefits. Weekly certifications are required in order to claim continued weeks of unemployment and receive payment. Before the coronavirus pandemic, the highest number of continued weeks was in the second week of 2010 when there were 26,075 continued weeks claimed.

Last week, 6,113 new regular unemployment claims were filed, an increase of 33.5 percent over the prior week. Initial claims are filed by individuals to request a determination of eligibility for unemployment insurance benefits.