How to file for unemployment

(NewsNation) — About 7 million people were unemployed in June, according to the latest jobs report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The number of people who filed for unemployment was significantly lower, with about 233,000 new people filing jobless benefit applications for the week ending June 28, the Associated Press reported.

Am I eligible for unemployment?

Unemployment benefits and eligibility vary by state, but many require applicants to have:

• Earned at least a certain amount within the last 12-24 months
• Worked consistently for the last 12-24 months
• Looked for a new job

How to file for unemployment

The U.S. government recommends filing for unemployment in the state where you worked, instead of where you lived.

Select your state on this map to learn how to file for unemployment.

The U.S. job market has cooled considerably from the red-hot days of 2021-2023 when the economy bounced back with unexpected strength from COVID-19 lockdowns and companies were desperate for workers. So far this year, employers have added an average of 130,000 jobs a month, down from 168,000 in 2024 and an average of 400,000 from 2021 through 2023.

And, according to the data released Thursday, it’s getting harder to find a new job if you lose one.

The U.S. labor force — the count of those working and looking for work — fell by 130,000 last month following a 625,000 drop in May. Economists expect Trump's immigration deportations — and the fear of them — to push foreign workers out of the labor force.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.