US unemployment aid applications hit 4-year low Associated Press Copyright 2012 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Updated 07:47 a.m., Thursday, March 22, 2012 WASHINGTON (AP) — The number of people seeking unemployment aid in the U.S. fell to a four-year low last week, bolstering the view that the job market is strengthening. Even the battered housing market is showing signs of improving. January and February comprised the best winter for sales of previously occupied homes in five years, according to figures released Wednesday by the National Association of Realtors. The Federal Reserve says it expects oil and gas prices to temporarily boost inflation but predicts that longer-term inflation should remain stable. [...] the more robust job market has caused some so-called "discouraged workers" to start looking again.