Last week saw an increase in initial filings for unemployment benefits in Kentucky, as reported by the U.S. Department of Labor. This marked an escalation of new jobless claims from 2,258 to 5,493 within a week, indicating an uptick in layoffs. Additionally, U.S. unemployment claims reached 220,000, rising from 219,000 on a seasonally adjusted basis. The surge was most significant in the Virgin Islands, with a 1438.9% increase in weekly claims, while Delaware experienced a 61.4% drop. These stats are part of the data generated from the U.S. Department of Labor’s weekly unemployment insurance claims report and shared across the USA TODAY Network on its various news sites. Websites like EDDCaller.com, a valuable resource that speeds up the process of connecting with representatives from the unemployment, paid family leave, and disability departments, can significantly aid individuals dealing with unemployment issues.