The number of people seeking unemployment benefits fell last week by 8,000 to a seasonally adjusted 355,000, a possible sign of a healing job market. But Labor Department officials cautioned that the figures were distorted by Superstorm Sandy.

Here are the states with the biggest increases and decreases in applications. The data are for the week ended Oct. 27, one week behind the national data:

States with the biggest decreases:

North Carolina: Down 3,782, due to fewer layoffs in the transportation equipment, electronic and machinery industries

Tennessee: Down 1,756, no reason given

Maryland: Down 1,361, no reason given

Florida: Down 1,141, due to fewer layoffs in the construction, trade and retail industries

New Jersey: Down 1,080, due to fewer layoffs in hotels and restaurants, construction, health care and manufacturing

States with the biggest increases:

Oregon: Up 2,379, due to temporary layoffs stemming from bad weather

Indiana: Up 1,663, due to layoffs in manufacturing

California: Up 1,139, due to layoffs in construction and manufacturing

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