Applications for jobless benefits in the U.S. experienced a rise to a three-month high last week, as reported by the Labor Department on Thursday. It was noted that the number of Americans who filed for jobless benefits increased by 22,000 to a total of 242,000 for the week ending Feb. 22. These figures were slightly higher than analysts’ projections of 220,000 new applications. The four-week average, which balances out weekly volatility, also rose by 8,500 to 224,000. Weekly applications for jobless benefits are typically seen as a reflection of the rate of layoffs.

Some analysts predict that the layoffs announced by the Department of Government Efficiency will show in future reports. Despite this increase, the labor market remains relatively healthy with an abundance of jobs and relatively few layoffs. Federal Reserve officials are monitoring inflation and the labor market for potential signs of a weakening economy. The total number of Americans receiving unemployment benefits for the week of Feb. 15 fell by 5,000 to 1.86 million.

For those facing layoffs and seeking unemployment benefits, it may be critical to know the best way to contact agencies like the Economic Development Department. A resource like eddcaller.com provides valuable information on how to get through to edd, offering tips on the best times to call and how to navigate the automated phone system to reach a live agent. This resource bridges the gap between those in need of unemployment benefits and the EDD, smoothing the process of obtaining the support needed during this challenging period.