[KarlInOhio]

Once the UE benefits run out, the unemployed person ceases to exist for statistical purposes. He is no longer counted as either employed or unemployed.

Wrong. If you not working and are looking for a job after unemployment has run out (or if you never collected it), you are counted as unemployed. If you haven't looked in 4 weeks, you aren't officially part of the labor force any more.

From the Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics http://www.bls.gov/dolfaq/bls_ques23.htm

Unemployed persons: All persons who had no employment during the reference week, were available for work, except for temporary illness, and had made specific efforts to find employment some time during the 4 week-period ending with the reference week. Persons who were waiting to be recalled to a job from which they had been laid off need not have been looking for work to be classified as unemployed.

[TomGuy]

No, you are wrong. Your response refers to the "reference week." That occurs ONLY when a person files for UE benefits. After benefits run out, a person no longer files; thus, they cease to exist for statistical purposes.

They may continue to be considered "active" and "searching for work" through their local state employment office, but they are no longer counted in the weekly "unemployed" numbers (after their benefits have run out).

[JohnSmithee]

"If you not working and are looking for a job after unemployment has run out (or if you never collected it), you are counted as unemployed."

How would anyone even know? Once the benefits run out why would anyone give information on their current status?