Unemployment Benefits Expanded an Additional 13 Weeks

Rep. T.R. Rowe (R, Trumbull) and Rep. Bill Hamzy (R, Bristol) discuss the extension of unemployment benefits.

Unemployed residents who have used their 20 weeks of federally extended jobless benefits are eligible for 13 more weeks of compensation. The extension applies to job-seekers who have used their initial 26 weeks of state unemployment insurance and the 20 weeks of federal benefits are now eligible for a “Second-Tier” of 13 weeks, the governor’s office announced today. Under federal guidelines, the 13 additional weeks are being made available to states experiencing unemployment rates of more than 6 percent over a certain amount of time. Roughly half the states in the country have met guidelines needed to receive federal funding for the additional 13 weeks. For people who have not found new employment and are otherwise eligible, the “Second-Tier” benefits will be provided automatically after the initial 20 weeks of extended benefits have been exhausted. Residents eligible for “Second-Tier” benefits will be notified by mail by the state Department of Labor after they exhaust their 20-week benefits extension. They can also access the information by Jan. 18 by revieiwng their balance summaries that are available through the labor department’s WebBenefits system or the TeleBenefits phone system. People with general questions about the federal extension can call toll free (877) 522-6711.