After drop of 17,000 in previous week, first-time jobless claims rise WASHINGTON, Aug. 8 (UPI) -- The U.S. Labor Department said first-time jobless benefits claims rose by 5,000 to 333,000 in the week that ended Saturday. The four-week rolling average fell, dropping by 6,250 to 335,500. The previous week's claims were revised from 326,000 to 328,000. The largest increases in initial claims for the week ending July 27 were in Idaho with a gain of 264, Wisconsin, which added 179 and South Dakota, gaining 115. The largest decreases were in California, down by 21,479, Michigan, down by 8,647 and Missouri, down by 3,208.