New statistics show more people are asking for unemployment insurance which means employers are continuing layoffs. Applications for unemployment benefits reached 500,000 last week which was the highest since November 2009. The number marked a 12,000 increase according to the Department of Labor. Statistics show that it was the fourth increase in five weeks, which some say is a sign of economic instability.

According to a report by the Associated Press, home building companies and construction firms seem to be laying off at higher rates since the homebuyers’ tax credit expired. Other large amounts of layoffs are coming from the public sector as states attempt to balance budgets. “This is obviously a disappointing number that shows ongoing weakness in the job market,” Robert Dye, senior economist at the PNC Financial Services Group, told the Associated Press.

The jobless rate is sitting at 9.5 percent, the same level it’s been at for two months. According to the Associated Press, private employers had been adding about 100,000 jobs each month. Those requesting unemployment insurance reached a peak in March of 2009 as 651,000 people requested assistance. Currently 4.5 million people are receiving benefits, according to the Department of Labor.

Claims for unemployment benefits dropped more than expected last week, according to reports. They fell to their lowest level in two months which some are hoping is a sign the economy is improving. Initial claims dropped 21,000 to 454,000 the Labor Department reported. The Labor Department said the number of people continuing to receive benefits in the final week of June was at the lowest level since late last year.

Claims were expected to fall to 460,000, according to Reuters, but they actually fell further. “I think we are too quick in dismissing the potential for growth in the second half of the year, I don’t think it is going to be as weak as earlier thoughts had it,” Chris Rupkey told Reuters, chief financial economist at the Bank of Tokyo-Mitsubishi in New York.

While some remain hopeful that the unemployment insurance claim drop is a sign of recovery, the Labor Department says it may be thanks to General Motors. The company is limiting its annual summer plan shutdown to meet demand for some models which means fewer people are out of work.