How to Apply for an Unemployment Benefits Extension
The Emergency Unemployment Compensation 2008 (EUC) program offers four tiers of unemployment extensions to claimants and has a minimum eligibility requirement for each level. Your state labor office must review your claim for eligibility for each tier. Many states perform this action automatically, but some require you to apply for each level before they evaluate your claim. The process varies by state, but it may be possible to apply for an extension by mail, online or by phone. As of this publication, the EUC program has been extended until January 3, 2012.
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Instructions
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By Mail
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1
Visit the website of your state's labor office. Download and print the EUC extension application.
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2
Fill out the form in its entirely in legible print. Sign and date the bottom.
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Mail the form to the address on the form.
Online
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4
Access your state's labor office's website. Use your current user name and PIN to log in.
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Navigate to the online benefit extension application. Fill out the application in its entirety. Check the box indicating that the answers you submitted are true to the best of your knowledge.
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Click "Submit" to send your application to the state.
By Phone
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Call your state's claims line. Log into the system with your Social Security number and PIN.
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Answer each of the questions the automated system asks you. Use the keypad as instructed when confirming all of your answers are true to the best of your knowledge.
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Press the appropriate key to submit your claim to the state.
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Tips & Warnings
If your state is one that automatically reviews your expiring claim for an extension eligibility, you don't have to apply for the extension at all. You automatically receive a notice explaining whether an extensions is available and whether you qualify for it. If your state automatically does this and you don't receive a notice at all, contact the state labor office to troubleshoot the problem.
Although emergency unemployment extensions are provided by the federal government, each state runs its own unemployment program. For state specific information about applying for an unemployment extension, always contact that state's labor office. (See Resources)
