Number of workers receiving unemployment benefits falls to lowest level in 44 years

[mystery-ak]

Number of workers receiving unemployment benefits falls to lowest level in 44 years
by Joseph Lawler | Jan 11, 2018, 8:36 AM

The total number of workers receiving unemployment benefits fell to the lowest level in 44 years to end 2017, the Department of Labor reported Thursday.

Altogether, 1.87 million people received unemployment insurance benefits in the last week of the year, the lowest such seasonally-adjusted mark since December of 1973. Benefits are available for up to 26 weeks in most states.

The low number of people utilizing unemployment insurance is a good sign for the economy. Fewer people seeking unemployment benefits suggests that fewer people are getting laid off. Total claims have scraped the lowest levels in decades several times in recent months.

As for new claims for unemployment benefits, they rose 11,000 to 261,000 in the first week of 2018, according to the same report.

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http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/number-of-workers-receiving-unemployment-benefits-falls-to-lowest-level-in-44-years/article/2645607

[SirLinksALot]

We have to be cautious with these numbers.

Numbers can be deceiving, Here are some cautionary questions to ask:

1) Did the numbers go down because people found jobs or

2) Did the numbers go down because people ran out of benefits and were dropped off the rolls into the pit of erasure?

We all know that once benefits end, the labor department conveniently stop counting a person as unemployed whether they found work or were driven to live on the street.

There are thousands upon thousands who were and are driven to the street or early retirement because companies will not hire older qualified people because

A. they are to expensive to the company and
B. The companies fear an older experience person won't stay, that they are just marking time until something better comes along.

 The truth is older workers are the most stable employee that wants only to be employed and hopefully have some benefits until regular retirement. It's the young people that are unstable and expensive due to their work ethic and attitude.

So, let's check the numbers BEHIND the stats first before we consider this as good news.