AlQa'dah 13, 1434, Sep 19, 2013, SPA -- The number of people seeking initial unemployment benefits rose last week, but the data was distorted for the second consecutive week by reporting delays, the government said Thursday. The Labor Department said jobless claims increased 15,000 to 309,000 last week. The previous week's level of 294,000 was the lowest in six years. However, jobless-claims data has been in disarray since an update in government computer systems in California and Nevada created a backlog in the processing of new claims two weeks ago. The two states were unable to report all their claims, leading to a sharp decline in processed claims earlier this month, and a Labor Department analyst said California and Nevada still seemed to be working through the backlog, which he said could last another week or two. The broader trend in jobless claims has been favorable, signaling fewer layoffs. The less volatile four-week average fell 7,000 to 314,750 last week, the lowest in almost six years. But backlogged claims from two weeks ago may elevate the figures in coming weeks, the analyst said.
