U.S. jobless claims fall to 226,000 as layoffs stay low and hiring holds up

New claims for unemployment benefits fell to 226,000 for the week ending June 13, the U.S. Department of Labor reported on June 18. That was down 4,000 from the previous week and kept layoffs in the same historically low range seen through much of this year.

The weekly claims report is not the same thing as the unemployment rate, but it is one of the fastest national reads on whether employers are cutting workers. When the number stays relatively low, it usually points to a labor market where layoffs are contained rather than suddenly surging.

Why the weekly claims number matters

The latest claims figure suggests employers are still shedding workers at a modest pace, not a recessionary one. The 4-week moving average rose to 223,250, which smooths out week-to-week noise and helps show the recent trend.

The number of people continuing to receive benefits, which is a separate measure from initial claims, rose to 1.81 million for the week ending June 6. That can be a sign that workers who lose jobs are taking longer to find new ones, but it should not be treated as a direct count of layoffs or as the same thing as the unemployment rate. The insured unemployment rate held at 1.2%.

May jobs report shows hiring is still moving

For a broader read on hiring, the Bureau of Labor Statistics said total nonfarm payroll employment increased by 172,000 in May. The unemployment rate held at 4.3%, and the agency said major labor market indicators showed little or no change for the month.

That combination matters. It means employers are still adding jobs, but the pace is cooler than in the hottest post-pandemic years. Hiring is moving forward without looking especially strong, and workers are still facing a steadier, less frantic job market than the boom period.

For job seekers, that usually means fewer signs of broad layoffs, but also fewer signs of a hiring surge. For employers, it points to a market that is still functioning, though not running hot.

The next weekly claims release will matter because it will show whether the latest dip holds or reverses. A sustained move higher would change the story. For now, the national labor market looks more like a slower grind than a sudden downturn.

Sources

• U.S. Department of Labor weekly claims release
• Bureau of Labor Statistics Employment Situation (May 2026)
• AP News: U.S. jobless claims fall to 226,000