Extended Unemployment Benefits

Unemployment is a headache that has plagued many nations for years. Today the rates have shot up nonetheless. Some countries though, especially the developed nations, have a provision that seeks to provide the unemployed with funds for their daily expenditure. Through the US Federal State Employment Program, the United States government offers the unemployed this reprieve. Individuals who have lost their jobs are given regular unemployment benefits that run for a period of up to twenty-six weeks. If this period elapses without one having secured a new job and depending on the unemployment levels in his/her state, then an extension of these benefits is considered. This is what is called the extended unemployment benefits.

It follows that with extended unemployment benefits one must have lost their job without a responsibility of their own, save for a few instances such as an appalling work environment and cases of sexual molestation. Just a few examples... This is common in all states but other eligibility criteria may differ from one to the next.

When the unemployment rate exceeds six percent, then the unemployment level is said to be high. When one exhausts their unemployment benefits without having secured an employment opportunity within the twenty-six week window, the state normally will have notified you regarding extension of benefits which depends on the unemployment rate in your state. Regardless of this, you should seek clarification from your unemployment office a few weeks before you exhaust your regular benefits just to be sure and plan ahead. Extended unemployment benefits are of two sorts which are Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) and Extended Benefits (EB).

Emergency Unemployment Compensation-is usually offered in states that have an unemployment rate of above six percent. Extended unemployment benefits in states that have unemployment rates of below six percent is limited to twenty weeks. With EUC, however, benefits stretching up to an additional thirty-three weeks are offered since unemployment rate is said to be high. This legislation came about as a result of the economic recession of 2007 that saw many people lose their jobs and was to go until December 2009 but was extended to 2013, January 2.

Extended Benefits-this form of extended unemployment benefits is an extension of EUC. It is normally considered in states that may have unemployment rates of above 6.5 percent and an extra thirteen weeks of benefits are given on top of the EUC. If the unemployment rate exceeds 8 percent, an extra twenty weeks of benefits, on top of the EUC, will be given.

The weekly updates to the unemployment office are still required of you even when receiving extended unemployment benefits, so keep looking for that job relentlessly and getting proof of this to continue receiving the benefits.