The U.S. four-week moving average of initial claims for unemployment insurance last week rose by 3,000 to a total of 302,750 from the previous week’s unrevised figure of 299,750, according to seasonally adjusted numbers released today by the U.S. Department of Labor.

The four-week moving average decreases the volatility of the weekly numbers. Total initial claims for unemployment insurance for the week ended Aug. 30 rose by 4,000 to a total of 302,000 from the previous week’s unrevised figure of 298,000.

No special factors impacted this week’s initial claims, according to the Department of Labor.

USA Today reports the total number of people receiving aid remained at its lowest level in more than seven years.