Here are the states with the biggest increases in unemployment applications:

New York: Up 43,956, because Superstorm Sandy caused temporary layoffs in construction, restaurants and transportation

New Jersey: Up 31,094, because Sandy caused temporary layoffs in hotels, restaurants, manufacturing, transportation, health care and construction

California: Up 24,693, because of layoffs in the services industry

Pennsylvania: Up 7,037, because Sandy caused temporary layoffs in construction and transportation

Connecticut: Up 1,808, because of temporary layoffs from Sandy

Wisconsin: Up 1,674, no reason given

State with the biggest decrease:

Ohio: Down 4,996, due to fewer layoffs in manufacturing

- Associated Press