Unemployment benefits in the US climbed to their highest level since August during mid-October — the period when the Labor Department would normally conduct its household survey for the monthly jobs report, which was delayed due to the recent government shutdown.According to updated data released Tuesday, continued claims — those filed by people receiving benefits after their first week — rose to 1.957 million for the week ending October 18. This marks an increase of 10,000 from the previous week and is the highest level recorded since early August. It also reflects a significant rise from 1.916 million in the week ending September 13, the last set of figures published before the shutdown began on October 1.Initial jobless claims also increased, with 232,000 new applications filed in the w

See Full Page