WASHINGTON - October 14, 2010 - Applications for jobless benefits rose last week for the first time in three weeks, evidence that companies are reluctant to hire in a slow economy.

The Labor Department said Thursday that initial claims for unemployment aid rose by 13,000 to a seasonally adjusted 462,000. It was only the second rise in two months.

Despite the ups and down, claims have been stuck near 450,000 all year. Few employers see much reason to create many jobs, and some are still laying off workers. For example, rail operator CSX Corp. said Wednesday that it could lengthen its trains to handle rising shipments, reducing its need to hire more workers.

In addition, cash-strapped state and local governments are cutting jobs, adding to the ranks of those out of work.
The four-week average of claims, a less volatile measure, rose by 2,250 to 459,000.

The initial claims figure, while volatile, is considered a real-time snapshot of the job market. It is also a measure of the pace of layoffs and an indication of companies' willingness to hire.