How states fared on unemployment benefit claims

The number of people seeking unemployment benefits rose slightly last week, but remained at historically low levels that signal a strengthening job market.

The Labor Department says weekly applications increased 3,000 to a seasonally adjusted 287,000. The four-week average, a less volatile measure, declined 250 to 281,000, the lowest level in more than 14 years.

Here are the states with the biggest increases and decreases in applications. The data is for the week that ended Oct. 18, one week behind the national figures:

States with the biggest decreases:

Pennsylvania: Down 3,459, due to fewer layoffs in administrative services, hotels, and restaurants

New York: Down 2,965, due to fewer layoffs in hotels and restaurants, manufacturing, and health care

Texas: Down 1,720, no reason given

Florida: Down 1,444, due to fewer layoffs in agriculture, retail, and administrative services

Georgia: Down 1,363, no reason given

States with the biggest increases:

California: Up 2,754, due to layoffs in administrative services and agriculture

Michigan: Up 1,609, due to layoffs in wholesale trade