FAQs - Labor Market Information

Frequently Asked Questions About Unemployment Data

  1. Where can I find data on how the Hurricanes affected the employment statistics in Louisiana?
  2. How is data to determine the unemployment rate derived?
  3. How can I find out how many initial unemployment insurance claims were filed?
  4. Is data available on how much unemployment compensation was paid for any given time period?
  1. Where can I find data on how the Hurricanes affected the employment statistics in Louisiana?

    Information on how the Hurricanes affected data collection by the BLS (Bureau of Labor Statistics) is located on their web site at the following link: Labor Market Statistics for Areas Affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita: September and October 2005.

  2. How is data to determine the unemployment rate derived?

    The Current Population Survey (CPS) is a monthly household survey of the U.S. population conducted for the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) by the Bureau of Census, of 56,000 selected households across the United States. Respondents are interviewed to obtain information on the employment status of each household member age 16 and over, during the reference week of the 12th of each month. Each state is allocated a portion of the survey for their statewide and parish (county) estimates.

  3. How can I find out how many initial unemployment insurance claims were filed?

    The Unemployment Insurance Reporting Unit in R&S collects and disseminates weekly claims data at the local office, parish, and statewide levels. This data is available in our monthly newsletter at the statewide, regional labor market area, and parish levels, or you may call or write our office for the information. Unemployment insurance claims data can also be found at the following Web link: http://ows.doleta.gov/unemploy/claims.asp.

  4. Is data available on how much unemployment compensation was paid for any given time period?

    Yes. This information is also available in the monthly newsletter Louisiana Workforce At A Glance (PDF) or by contacting our office.

This page was last updated on June 27, 2008.