[1rudeboy]

Now, because you no longer qualify for Federal unemployment benefits, if you don't have a job, you don't count.

False. Unemployment compensation has nothing to do with how the unemployment rate is calculated.

[Smokin' Joe]

Well, maybe I am wrong, but I had been brought to believe that if you no longer qualified for benefits, you were removed from the officially unemployed. Note that the statistic used is one of initial jobless claims (unemployment), not who lost a job. If you can't claim, you aren't counted.

Now, if I'm wrong, kindly show me how and provide some links so I can be better educated on the subject. Thanks.

[kiryandil]

False. Unemployment compensation has nothing to do with how the unemployment rate is calculated.

Nice change of subject, rude. But you already knew that...

Smokin' Joe: Now, because you no longer qualify for Federal unemployment benefits, if you don't have a job, you don't count. You are a 'discouraged worker' or some such and no longer in the labor force.

True.