Connecticut Labor Department officials say nearly 86,500 state residents collected unemployment benefits during the week that ended Jan. 10, the third-highest weekly total in state history.
The high number of claims has forced state officials to increase the employment tax to the highest allowable level to make sure there’s enough money to pay benefits.
The record for the highest number of people collecting unemployment benefits in one week is nearly 121,000, set in January 1975.
U.S. labor officials say a record 5.7 million Americans petitioned to receive unemployment benefits last week. About 11,300 Connecticut residents filed new claims in the week ending Jan. 17.
Connecticut’s unemployment rate increased to 7.1 percent in December from 6.6 percent in November. (AP)
