WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of people seeking unemployment benefits fell last week by 8,000 to a seasonally adjusted 355,000, a possible sign of a healing job market. But officials cautioned that the figures were distorted by Superstorm Sandy.
The Labor Department said Thursday that the four-week average of applications, a less volatile measure, rose by 3,250 to 370,500.
The storm could affect weekly applications for up to four weeks, a Labor spokesman said.
Applications declined in one state last week because power outages prevented officials from receiving applications. The spokesman wouldn't identify the state. The storm also pushed applications in other states up because some people who could not go to work sought benefits.
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