The latest data points to an employment rebound. Initial jobless claims totaled 444,000 last week, the lowest since March 14, 2020, the Labor Department said Thursday.
Signs of a recovery come as the $300 in enhanced federal unemployment benefits that Congress put in place is slated to last through September.
Many states currently a tally of about 21 have decided to pull those extra benefits due to concerns that people do not have an incentive to resume employment.
President Joe Biden addressed the issue earlier this month by stepping up efforts to help get people back to work.
That included funding for state and local governments, restaurants and child care that could help workers return.