[Dianna]

To generate these numbers, they don't actually count paper claims filed. They call a bunch of random people on the phone and ask, "Hey, did you work last week?"

Given the way the question is typically phrased, some nimrods out there who ARE employed but DIDN'T go to work could skew the numbers.

This explanation was written about in several publications (and discussed here on FR) well before the numbers came out.

[LuvFreeRepublic]

I am aware that the figure is determined by a phone survey, but thanks for offering that info. Seems lots still think it is based on whether an unemployment check is received. The questions that are asked are on the BLS site. I still think if the questions were reviewed by the author, he/she could have written a better article, if that was the real objective. The author just regurgitated the talking points for BO and we all know it. Cheers.