New York (CNN Business) Another 861,000 workers filed for unemployment benefits for the first time last week, according to seasonally adjusted data released Thursday from the Labor Department . Last year, initial claims jumped to 3.3 million in the week ended March 21 before peaking at 6.9 million in the following week as the pandemic forced the US economy to shut down. On top of regular state claims, 516,299 Americans filed for benefits through the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program, which provides aid for people like the self-employed or gig workers. Continued jobless claims, which count filings for at least two consecutive weeks, stood at 4.5 million in the week ended February 6. More than 18 million people received benefits under the government's various programs in the week ended January 30.

Source: CNN February 18, 2021 13:39 UTC