[1rudeboy]

If you don't qualify for unemployment compensation, then you do not get counted in the "initial" or "continuing" claims stats, obviously. But you get counted in the calculation of the unemployment rate, unless you "drop out of the workforce" . . . and we know how that number is massaged.

[Rhinoman]

..you get counted in the calculation of the unemployment rate, unless you "drop out of the workforce" . . . and we know how that number is massaged.

Most of the last three years I've worked part time temporary positions and made up the difference with my military retirement and savings. I wasn't technically "unemployed" but wasn't making enough income to pay my bills. I suspect that I was still counted as employed by the government because I was taking home six bucks an hour at my part time job.