New unemployment claims creep upward

OLYMPIA – New unemployment claims increased 1.3% for the week ending on Sept. 25.

The state Employment Security Department saw 4,914 more new unemployment claims.

Total claims filed for existing unemployment benefit recipients were down 97,068 or 14.6% from the prior week. Compared to the same week in 2020, the overall claims are down 72%.

Increases in layoffs in retail stores and accommodation and food services contributed to an increase of 64 regular initial claims over the previous week.

Federal benefit programs, including Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) and Pandemic Emergency Unempl...