| What is an extension for unemployment benefits? | | | | to expire at the end of 2009, unless Congress |
| How long does it last? How can you apply? | | | | votes to extend it. |
| Traditional unemployment insurance lasts for 26 | | | | Extended Benefits (EB) |
| weeks. When there are high levels of | | | | - Extended Benefits (EB) offer an additional |
| unemployment in your state, it may be possible | | | | extension of benefits once EUC has been |
| for you to receive an extension of benefits. A | | | | exhausted. Again, the length of time you will |
| high level of unemployment is traditionally defined | | | | receive additional benefits depends on the level of |
| as a rate above 6%. Your state will notify you | | | | unemployment in your state. |
| about applying for an unemployment extension | | | | - In states with unemployment rates above 6.5%, |
| when your traditional benefits are about to expire, | | | | you will be eligible for an additional 13 weeks of |
| and will be able to inform you as to the | | | | unemployment compensation. And, if the |
| unemployment rate in your state. | | | | unemployment rate in your state is above 8%, |
| As the name implies, an extension of benefits | | | | the extension of benefits is another 7 weeks (for |
| allows for a continuation of unemployment | | | | a total of 20 weeks). |
| compensation payments above and beyond the | | | | As mentioned, your state should notify you about |
| initial 26 week period. There are two types of | | | | applying for an unemployment extension when |
| extended unemployment benefits: 1. Emergency | | | | your traditional benefits are about to expire. To |
| Unemployment Compensation (EUC) and 2. | | | | be safe, however, it is worth contacting your |
| Extended Benefits (EB). | | | | unemployment office to inquire about an |
| Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) | | | | extension a few weeks before your 26 week |
| - Under EUC, the number of additional weeks you | | | | period of regular benefits is complete. In order to |
| can receive will depend on the unemployment | | | | qualify for an extension, you will be asked to |
| level in your state. | | | | meet the same eligibility standards required for |
| - In states with unemployment rates above 6%, | | | | regular benefits. |
| you will be eligible for an additional 33 weeks of | | | | In total, getting an extension for unemployment |
| benefits. If the unemployment rate in your state | | | | benefits makes it possible to receive up to 79 |
| is below 6%, the extension of unemployment | | | | weeks of benefits (26 weeks of traditional |
| benefits is 20 weeks. | | | | benefits + 33 weeks of EUC + 20 weeks of EB) |
| - Emergency Unemployment Compensation is a | | | | if you live in a state with a high rate of |
| result of legislation passed during 2008, and is set | | | | unemployment. |