Initial Jobless Claims

194,000

−1,000 (−0.5%) vs Oct 17

As of Oct 24, 2026 · Updated weekly · Source: Department of Labor weekly unemployment insurance claims, seasonally adjusted, via FRED

Initial Jobless ClaimsOct 30, 2021 to Oct 24, 2026
184,680204,840225,000245,160265,320Oct 30, 2021Jun 24, 2023Feb 22, 2025Oct 24, 2026

Previous

195,000

Oct 17, 2026

One year ago

231,000

−37,000 (−16.0%) since

52-week high

235,000

Dec 6, 2025

52-week low

189,000

Jul 18, 2026

Recent readings

DateInitial claimsChange
Oct 24, 2026194,000−1,000 (−0.5%)
Oct 17, 2026195,000−5,000 (−2.5%)
Oct 10, 2026200,000+2,000 (+1.0%)
Oct 3, 2026198,000−1,000 (−0.5%)
Sep 26, 2026199,000+1,000 (+0.5%)
Sep 19, 2026198,000unchanged
Sep 12, 2026198,000−9,000 (−4.3%)
Sep 5, 2026207,000unchanged
Aug 29, 2026207,000+3,000 (+1.5%)
Aug 22, 2026204,000−3,000 (−1.4%)
Aug 15, 2026207,000−5,000 (−2.4%)
Aug 8, 2026212,000+12,000 (+6.0%)

Most recent first; change is versus the prior reading shown. Source: Department of Labor weekly unemployment insurance claims, seasonally adjusted, via FRED.

Related series

Continuing claims
1.70MOct 17

What this number is

The number of people filing a first claim for unemployment insurance in the latest week, seasonally adjusted, from the Department of Labor's Thursday release. Continuing claims, the number still collecting benefits a week later, is shown beside it.

Why it matters

It is the fastest official read on layoffs, out every week with a five-day lag. A sustained move above 250,000 has preceded every rise in the unemployment rate; a reading near 200,000 says employers are holding on to workers.

Questions readers ask

Why do claims jump around holidays?
Seasonal adjustment struggles with floating holidays and school breaks. Read the four-week average when a single week looks odd.
When is the next claims report?
Every Thursday at 8:30 AM Eastern, for the week ending the previous Saturday.

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