COLUMBUS — Applications for unemployment benefits continued their downward trend last week, with the total amount of claims filed down over 8 percent, according to data released by the Ohio Jobs and Family Services. .
>>RELATED: U.S. jobless claims fall below 1 million for first time in 5 months, but still remain high
Initial claims saw a steep decline, over 19 percent, with just around 21,000 Ohioans filing new applications for unemployment benefits, JFS data shows.
Continued claims remained high, but also saw a decrease around 7 percent with over 375,000 people filing additional claims for unemployment.
Over the last 21 weeks, the ODJFS has distributed nearly $6 billion in unemployment compensation benefits.
The state data coincides with national trends also reported Thursday. According to the Associated Press, 963,000 Americans filed new claims for unemployment. This was the first time in five months that initial claims nationally were under one million people.
Cox Media Group
