New York jobless claims jump nearly 80 percent in latest week

The number of people filing applications for unemployment benefits in New York state soared 79 percent to 33,159 in the week ending May 7 from 18,512 the week before.

That’s according to a news release issued today by the U.S. Department of Labor, citing advanced data provided by the state. The data is not seasonally adjusted and is subject to revision.

It’s the second straight week that initial jobless claims rose in the Empire State. Claims in the state increased by more than 18 percent in the week ending April 30 to 18,512 from 15,644 a week prior. Layoffs in New York’s information, transportation and warehousing, and manufacturing industries led the increase in jobless-benefit filings that week, according to the release.

Layoffs are also rising nationally.

U.S. initial unemployment claims increased by 20,000 to 294,000 in the week ending May 7, from the previous week’s level of 274,000.

This is the highest number for U.S. jobless claims since Feb. 28 of last year, when claims hit 310,000, the U.S. Labor Department said. The four-week moving average for national claims rose to 268,250, up by 10,250 from the previous week.

“There were no special factors impacting this week’s initial claims,” the Labor Department said, noting that claims still remained under 300,000 for a 62nd straight week, the longest such streak in 43 years.

Contact Rombel at arombel@cnybj.com