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COLUMBIA (WACH/AP) -- South Carolina is preparing to announce the state's unemployment rate for October.

South Carolina unemployment went down by half a percentage point in September, mirroring a nationwide trend of falling jobless numbers. The 9.1 mark was the eighth-highest unemployment rate in the country.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, nationally, unemployment was 7.8 percent in September-- the lowest level since January 2009.

The jobless benefits agency says it's implementing layoffs of its own. Department officials said the cuts were necessary after the elimination of federal funding for emergency compensation and extended benefits programs.

The agency says the cuts will not affect anyone receiving benefits.