Weekly unemployment claims edge over 500

Weekly unemployment claims increased last week, but remain at a relatively low level. For the week there were 534 new, regular benefit claims for Unemployment Insurance in Vermont. This is an increase of 93 from last week's total. Claims were down 542 from the same time a year ago, in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Irene.

Altogether 4,875 new and continuing claims were filed, a decrease of 710 from a week ago and 1,925 fewer than a year ago. The Department also processed 1,253 First Tier claims for benefits under Emergency Unemployment Compensation, 2008 (EUC08), 81 fewer than a week ago. In addition, there were 246 Second Tier claims for benefits processed under the EUC08 program, which is 32 fewer than the week before. The Tier II program of extended benefits is being discontinued in Vermont as the state's unemployment rate has been under the federal threshold for more than three months.

The Unemployment Weekly Report can be found at: http://www.vtlmi.info/. Previously released Unemployment Weekly Reports and other UI reports can be found at: http://www.vtlmi.info/lmipub.htm#uc  

Vermont's unemployment rate increased three-tenths to 5.0 percent in July. This is the lowest rate in New England and fifth lowest in the US. SEE STORY