How to Receive the Unemployment Benefits Extension

Unemployment Office

President Bush has signed into law the Unemployment Extension Act of 2008. This extends the benefits received by the unemployed for and additional seven weeks. For roughly half of the states, the unemployment rate has exceeded 6% over the last six months. For those states the benefits are extended another 13 weeks, for a total of twenty weeks.

Instructions

1. The Unemployment Extension Act will benefit those whose benefits have recently run out.

2. For most people the extension will be automatic. Be sure of your eligibility though by contacting your state's unemployment office.

3. For those newly laid off, eligibility requirements must be met. These requirements vary from state to state, but typically require that you be laid off through no fault of your own and that you are actively seeking to find work. Normally the standard benefits last 26 weeks. Even before the Extension Act became law it has been possible to request an extension of benefits from your state Unemployment Office.

Tips & Warnings

• If you've just been laid off, go straight to the Unemployment Office. Benefits do not start immediately, so delaying your application will only delay your benefits.

• If you're benefits expired months ago you may have trouble benefitting from the Extension Act. Check with the Unemployment Office.

Resources

• Unemployment Rates By State
• How to Get Work With a Temp Agency