The number of people seeking unemployment benefits for the first time increased nationally, but has remained fairly stable in the D.C. region, according to data released Thursday by the Department of Labor.

After two weeks of declining numbers, national unemployment claims increased by 135,000 and passed 1 million total for the first time since mid-March, the data for the week ended Aug. 15 show. This signals employers are still cutting jobs.

The District and Virginia saw increases in claims, with 198 and 3,506 more, respectively. Maryland saw a modest decrease, with nearly 600 fewer claims. The total number of new applications for unemployment benefits filed by residents of D.C., Maryland and Virginia was 27,067.

There are 14.8 million people across the U.S. currently receiving unemployment benefits, down about 700,000 from the previous report.

In early July, the D.C. region saw an uptick in self-employed people filing for unemployment benefits under the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program (PUA), which is part of the federal CARES Act, DCist/WAMU reported. PUA benefits are available to self-employed workers and others who don’t normally qualify for regular unemployment insurance.

The continuation of layoffs comes amid modest recoveries in areas like home construction, home sales, and auto purchases, the AP reported. But travel and entertainment spending has stayed low, and the overall unemployment rate is still elevated at 10.2%, the outlet said.

Maryland and Virginia are seeking more federal funding for unemployed residents that will provide them an additional $300 per week, now that a previous federal $600-per-week benefit has expired. The funds were made available by the Trump administration through an executive order.

“Far too many Marylanders are still struggling to make ends meet during this pandemic,” Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan said in a statement. “With this critical funding, we can help those struggling Marylanders weather this storm, get back on their feet, and recover.”