Jim Knight <[log in to unmask]> wrote:


>Ken Hirsch <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> >
> > This isn't correct.  The unemployment rate is calculated by a phone
> > survey asking people if they are employed, and if they aren't
> > employed, are they looking for work.   It doesn't have anything to
> > do with benefits, which are reported separately.
>
> Are you sure about that?  As someone who just spent almost 3 months being
unemployed, >the only way they accounted for me was by my signing up with
the state for benefits.  In >fact, it's interesting, in Michigan they
primarily report on First-Time Filers when reporting >unemployment week to
week, but I'm sure the overall unemployment figures come from the >state
unemployment agency.  You are required to check-in by phone bi-weekly to
receive >benefits.  You can receive benefits for 26 weeks.

The states do release figures on unemployment claims and they are often
reported along with the unemployment rate, especially "new claims for
unemployment", since that's related to how fast people are being laid off.

But the "unemployment rate", now 4.5% is calculated by a survey done by the
Census Bureau of a sample of all households.  I erred in saying it was done
by phone, however, much of it is done in person.  See
http://www.bls.gov/cps_htgm.htm

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