First-time unemployment claims rise nationally, fall in Florida

Reporter: Sara Girard Writer: Jackie Winchester
Published: Updated:
Unemployment (Pixabay)

A higher than expected number of Americans filed first-time unemployment claims last week – roughly 857,000 people.

Continuing claims showing people who are still getting unemployment checks also rose nationwide.

This rough measure of layoffs isn’t seasonally adjusted.

In Florida, initial claims fell by 9,000, but nationwide, new claims rose about 20,000 from the week before, a signal that people and companies are still struggling.

Sam Harrison of Bonita Springs is one of the unlucky ones. He said a technical error has prevented him from getting any unemployment benefits since May, and it’s taking a huge toll.

“I’ve been borrowing from people I can, I’ve been living off my savings; my savings is now gone and I have to sell my house,” he said.

Meanwhile, Congress is still stuck over the next stimulus package that could give new funding for businesses and extended the now-expired $600 federal weekly supplement to state jobless benefits.


For ongoing updates and information on unemployment, follow WINK News Investigative Reporter Sara Girard on Twitter and Facebook.

She also updates the WINK News FAQ: Unemployment Resources page as information is received.

Copyright ©2024 Fort Myers Broadcasting. All rights reserved.

This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without prior written consent.