There were 500,000 new claims for unemployment benefits filed in the week of August 8, the most in nine months and the third week of rising unemployment claims. Analysts say that the spike in claims came from layoffs of government workers, military discharges and the dismissal of census workers. The economy lost 131,000 jobs in July, and some economists worry that August numbers will be even worse, especially since an additional 125,000 census workers have been let go since July. Some states that noted increased claims saw layoffs in the manufacturing and construction industries. Overall the manufacturing sector has added 183,000 jobs since January, after losing 2 million in 2008 and 2009. The number of people receiving benefits is around 4.5 million, with around 15 million unemployed.
See "New claims for unemployment benefits jump unexpectedly", Don Lee, Los Angeles Times, August 22, 2010