The number of people filing new jobless claims jumped unexpectedly last week, and the total unemployment benefit rolls rose to more than 6.7 million.

The total number of people on the unemployment insurance rolls has dropped for the first time since early January, while first-time claims for benefits rose slightly.

New applications for jobless benefits plunged to the lowest level in 14 weeks. Still, the number of unemployed workers getting benefits climbed to a record.

New applications for jobless benefits plunged to the lowest level in 14 weeks, a possible sign that the massive wave of layoffs has peaked. Still, the number of unemployed workers getting benefits climbed to a new record.

The Richmond area’s unemployment rate held steady at 7.8 percent from February to March. The jobless rate, which is not seasonally adjusted, for the state remained at 7 percent for the second month in a row, according to data released yesterday by the Virginia Employment Commission. It is the first time since September 2008 that the monthly rate has not gone up in Virginia.

The economy New jobless claims down But continuing claims again set mark; IMF expects world economy to contract in 2009 New jobless claims fell more than expected last week, but continuing claims set a record for the eighth straight week and few economists expect the labor market to improve anytime soon. Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund said yesterday that the world economy is expected to contract in 2009 for the first time in 60 years and that governments should do more to counter the downturn.

Virginia’s unemployment rate spiked to 5.2 percent in December, hitting its highest point in nearly 13 years. An increasing number of permanent layoffs, longer holiday furloughs and lackluster hiring in the retail sector led to the increase, said William F. Mezger, Virginia Employment Commission chief economist.

The Richmond region has one of the lowest unemployment rates among the country’s largest metro areas, but the rate jumped 56 percent in November compared with the same month in 2007.

When it comes to unemployment insurance, applicants need to know their Social Security numbers. And what day it happens to be. To handle increased demand for unemployment services, the Virginia Employment Commission is testing a new program starting Monday.

Circuit City Stores Inc. employees laid off last month will continue to receive a paycheck and benefits, a federal judge in Richmond ruled this afternoon.

The StarTek customer-service call center will close and lay off its 454 employees at the end of this month. The facility on South Crater Road will stop getting calls Dec. 27, company officials said yesterday. The employees, who provide customer service for a wireless provider, were told Tuesday that they would be laid off, site director Lu Flowers said.

Despite an increase in unemployment claims, the jobless rate in Virginia remained steady in October because of seasonal hiring. Experts, however, don’t expect that to last. The jobless rate stayed at 4.2 percent, according to data released yesterday by the Virginia Employment Commission. Virginia has the eighth-lowest jobless rate in the U.S.