Q1 2026 Unemployment Claims Intelligence Index

The Q1 2026 Claims Index provides businesses with detailed unemployment claims trends and actionable insights to mitigate cost exposure across industries. It highlights significant volume increases driven by large health systems, which are restructuring through automation and role consolidation, urging organizations to document operational rationales for separations as a defense against claims. The index reveals a sharp 18% spike in staffing claims, emphasizing the need for staffing agencies to address assignment-end claims with proactive placement efforts to lower financial risks. It also offers state-specific data, showcasing emerging growth areas like Georgia’s staffing-driven claims surge and Washington’s technology sector stabilization, enabling businesses to tailor defensive strategies regionally. Finally, the report leverages seasonally adjusted data validated against BLS unemployment statistics, offering businesses accurate predictive insights based on leading indicators such as hiring plans and automation adoption rates.