Continued Jobless Claims
Continued claims (insured unemployment) count workers who remain on state unemployment benefits after their initial claim. Published weekly by the Department of Labor, the series reacts faster than the monthly jobs report — it measures not just layoffs but how hard it is to get re-hired.
Latest reading
As of May 23, 2026, Continued Claims (Continued claims) stands at 1.78M — down from 1.79M the prior reading. Rising continued claims while initial claims stay calm means laid-off workers aren't finding new jobs — the classic early-deterioration signature. A sustained climb of ~15-20% off the cycle low has historically aligned with the start of labor-market downturns. Watch the 4-week average to filter weekly noise and holiday distortions. Series history runs from 1993 to present.
Continued claims
Next release: Jun 11, 2026
Full history
How to read it
Rising continued claims while initial claims stay calm means laid-off workers aren't finding new jobs — the classic early-deterioration signature. A sustained climb of ~15-20% off the cycle low has historically aligned with the start of labor-market downturns. Watch the 4-week average to filter weekly noise and holiday distortions.