[KarlInOhio]

My liberal coworker says the reason claims are down is because people have been unemployed for so long that they have used up their unemployment compensation entitlement. Is there any truth to that?

No. The unemployment rate isn't based on the number of claims (either new or continuing) for unemployment benefits. It is based on a survey of businesses and households to see who is not working but actively looking for a job. If you've been without a job for five years but are still looking for a job you still count as unemployed (and also lazy, but the Department of Labor doesn't track that).

http://www.bls.gov/cps/cps_htgm.htm

[jaydubya2]

Thanks Karl, that good info.