COLUMBIA, S.C. (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.

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

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.

October's state rate will be announced Tuesday morning.

(Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)