This compares with an increase of 10,900 in December.
When seasonal factors are taken into account the increase for January is 5,800, compared with a seasonal adjusted increase of 3,300 in December.
This brings the headline total for those signing on to 436,900.
The estimated unemployment rate is now 12.7%, compared with 12.5% in December.
The Budget forecast an average unemployment rate of 13.2% for the year.
