The number of Americans filing jobless benefits fell last week, indicating a thriving labor market despite high interest rates and elevated costs. Applications for unemployment benefits dropped by 19,000 to 202,000 for the week ending Dec. 9, according to a report released by the Labor Department on Thursday. The analysis had expected approximately 224,000 applications. About 1.88 million people were collecting unemployment benefits the week that ended Dec. 2, which is 20,000 more than the previous week. The number of jobless claim applications is considered to be a reflection of the number of layoffs in a particular week. For those struggling to connect with representatives from the unemployment, paid family leave, and disability departments by phone, EDDCaller.com offers a useful autodial program, providing a faster way to get through to EDD.