| Texas unemployment claims increase as 2021 begins | Texas unemployment claims increase as 2021 begins | https://www.recenter.tamu.edu/news/newstalk-texas/?Item=25368 | 2021-01-07T06:00:00Z | 2021-01-07T20:00:00Z | COLLEGE STATION – Texas' initial unemployment claims increased for the second straight week to 46,300 the week ending Jan. 2. This brings the total since March 21 to 4.1 million, according to data from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL).
The increase comes during the first week in which beneficiaries would be eligible to receive an extra $300 per week from the COVID-19 aid package signed into law last month.
The number of Texans who continue to claim unemployment insurance decreased for the second straight week to 359,200 the week ending Dec. 26.
The number of laid-off workers receiving benefits through the pandemic unemployment assistance program, which is open to gig workers, freelancers, and self-employed workers who don’t typically receive benefits, increased the week ending Jan. 2.
According to Texas Real Estate Research Center Research Economist Dr. Luis Torres, the claims numbers can be more volatile around the holidays because of challenges with seasonal adjustment.
Fewer people in Austin, Dallas-Fort Worth, and Houston filed new unemployment claims during the week ending Dec. 26. San Antonio claims increased during the same week.
More people in El Paso, McAllen, and Brownsville filed new claims, while claims fell in Laredo.
Using data from the DOL and the Employment and Training Administration, the Center has estimated unemployment claims for Texas' major and border metros since March 21:
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, 942,800 claims; Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, 897,700 claims; San Antonio-New Braunfels, 280,100 claims; Austin-Round Rock, 235,900 claims; McAllen-Edinburg-Mission, 112,800 claims; El Paso, 99,200 claims; Brownsville-Harlingen, 49,600 claims; and Laredo, 28,400 claims.
Last week, new national unemployment claims decreased for the second week in a row to 786,700. This brings the 42-week total to 73.8 million. For the second straight week, the accommodation and food services industry registered the highest number of initial claims during the week ending Dec. 26.
Following accommodation and food services, construction, administrative/support/waste management/remediation services, retail trade, and healthcare and social assistance were the sectors with the most unemployment claims through Dec. 26.
 The Texas Real Estate Research Center has a wealth of economic information online for free. Source: Texas Real Estate Research Center | Texas Real Estate Research Center
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