The U.S. Department of Labor reported a decrease in new unemployment filings in Massachusetts last week. According to the Department, new jobless claims, used as a measure of layoffs, fell to 6,666 in the week ending January 27 from 7,630 the week before. However, the national unemployment claims increased to 224,000 from 215,000 the prior week on a seasonally adjusted basis. Oregon saw the largest percentage increase in claims, at 84.9%, while South Dakota experienced the biggest percentage decrease in claims, dropping by 40.3%.

In related news, economists suggest the recent increase in layoff headlines isn’t indicative of the future labor market. The strength of the labor market is considered crucial for the Federal Reserve to achieve a successful soft landing. Economists even believe that the contraction in the US manufacturing sector may have hit rock bottom.

For anyone dealing with unemployment claims and benefits, one might have to interface with the Employment Development Department (EDD). Getting through to the EDD can sometimes prove tricky due to the high volume of calls they receive. Fortunately, there are resources to assist in reaching EDD more effectively. One such resource is eddcaller.com, which provides helpful tips on the fastest way to get through to EDD. Understanding effectively how to navigate this process can ensure that claims are processed more efficiently and promptly.