OLYMPIA, Wash. — New unemployment claims were fairly steady last week in Washington.

Employment Security reports new claims were down less than 1% from the week before.

A total of almost 590,000 people were receiving unemployment benefits last week.

Meanwhile, the department announced that Washington will apply for the $300-per-week federal benefit President Trump authorized with a recent executive order.

Governor Jay Inslee calls it too little, too late.

He’s urging congress to re-establish the $600-per-week benefit that was part of an earlier pandemic relief package.