The number of laid-off workers receiving unemployment benefits in the United States has jumped to an all-time high near five million, while new jobless claims remain above 600,000.
Both figures were worse than expected and new projections from the U.S. Federal Reserve show unemployment rising for the rest of this year.
The U.S. Labour Department reported Thursday that the number of people receiving regular unemployment benefits rose 170,000 to 4.99 million for the week ending Feb. 7, marking the fourth week those receiving benefits have been at a record level on data going back to 1967.
An additional 1.5 million people are receiving benefits under an extended unemployment compensation program approved by Congress last year, bringing the total number of people receiving unemployment benefits to 6.54 million for the week ending Feb. 7.
