Fresh applications for unemployment benefits in the US surged by 137,000 last week, exceeding the expectations of economists, reported AFP, quoting government data released Thursday.

According to the Labor Department, the rebound was the biggest since March 28 in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, and took the total number of initial claims to 853,000.

Also read: US Lower House passes a short-term extension in a bid to avoid shutdown

Applications fell in the prior week which included the Thanksgiving holiday, and though economists had been expecting a rebound the consensus was for a much more modest increase.

The week ending December 5 saw claims for special Pandemic Unemployment Assistance jumped 139,000.

Also read: Democrats say Trump stimulus plan too small to meet pandemic needs

According to the report, for the holiday week ending November 21, the total number of workers receiving some form of assistance, including from two pandemic emergency programs, fell 1.1 million to 19 million.

Unless lawmakers in Washington overcome their differences and agree on a new relief package, special programs that provide extended benefits and help to workers who do not usually qualify for unemployment benefits, like gig workers, will expire by the end of the year.