(Washington, DC)  --  The number of American workers filing initial jobless benefits claims last week dropped by 20,000 from the previous week to 512,000, the lowest figure since January.

   The Labor Department says total unemployment claims for the week ending October 24th, including continuing claims, fell by 68,000 to more than 5.7 million filings.

   A measure to extend jobless benefits could be voted on today in the U.S. House, with a similar proposal already approved in the Senate.

   The biggest increase in initial jobless claims during the week ending October 24th was in California, affecting workers in sectors like construction, services, manufacturing and agriculture.

   North Carolina, Oregon and Georgia experienced smaller jumps in first-time unemployment filings, with Indiana reporting the largest drop in such claims.

   For the week ending October 17th, Nevada and Oregon had the highest insured jobless rates at 5.4-percent.


   (Copyright 2009 by VERTEXNews/Newsroom Solutions)