AP Economics Writer WASHINGTON (AP) – The number of people applying for unemployment aid jumped last week to 853,000, the most since September, evidence that some companies are cutting more jobs as new virus cases spiral higher.
The Labor Department said Thursday that the number of applications increased from 716,000 the previous week.
Before the coronavirus paralyzed the economy in March, weekly jobless claims typically numbered only about 225,000.
The House is expected to pass a one-week government funding bill as lawmakers try to reach agreement on another coronavirus relief bill.
The Trump administration on Tuesday offered a $916 billion coronavirus relief package that would send a $600 direct payment to most Americans but eliminate a $300-per-week employment benefit favored by a bipartisan group of Senate negotiators.
he offer appears to demonstrate some flexibility by Republicans.