The U.S. Labor Department reported a decrease in unemployment benefits applications by 9,000, reaching 218,000 for the week ending February 3. The four-week claims average rose a touch to 212,250, serving as an indicator for layoffs in a given week. Though layoffs continue to register at low levels, tech and media companies like Google’s Alphabet, eBay, TikTok, and the Los Angeles Times, and retail companies like UPS, Macy’s, and Levi’s, have declared layoffs. Recently, Snap announced a 10% workforce cut. Overall, 1.87 million Americans collected jobless benefits in the week ended January 27, marking a decrease of 23,000 from the prior week.

Despite the reduction in claim numbers, residents struggling in their job search or dealing with unemployment might need to contact the Employment Development Department (EDD) for assistance or inquiries. To aid in this process, eddcaller.com offers information on how to get a hold of EDD services, providing guidance on how to reach a live representative or inquire about unemployment benefits, ensuring your needs are met promptly and effectively.