Unemployment benefit extension to end
By: Nancy Cook
Updated: November 26, 2010
In its last session, the U.S. Congress did not extend the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program that provided additional weeks of unemployment benefits for qualified claimants who exhausted all 26 weeks of state-funded regular unemployment benefits.
The federal program that featured three tiers totaling up to 47 weeks of EUC benefits, will expire at the end of November.
Saturday, Nov. 27, is a key date for Louisiana unemployment claimants who may qualify for federally funded Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) benefits, the Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC) reported Friday.
Depending on the tier and where in that tier that a claimant is currently, Saturday’s date is a trigger for phasing out EUC benefits in Louisiana:
· Claimants who start EUC Tiers 1, 2 or 3 by the week ending Nov. 27
can finish collecting benefits for weeks in that tier as long as they
are eligible.
· Benefits end for claimants who exhaust any tier after Nov. 27.
Qualified claimants who have exhausted their regular unemployment insurance benefits need to file a new EUC Tier 1 claim with a beginning date of no later than Nov. 21 in order to receive EUC benefits, according to the LWC.
Claimants who have a previously established EUC claim that has remaining weeks of benefits available will be able to reopen their claim after the deadline date.
April 30, 2011, is the last week-ending date that any qualified claimant may be paid EUC, regardless of what point or what tier they are in.
Job Seeker Services for the Unemployed
“As always, we at the LWC are ready to help the unemployed get back to work so they can provide for themselves and their families,” said LWC Executive Director Curt Eysink. The LWC offers a number of services at no cost to job seekers through its statewide network of Business & Career Solutions Centers as well as on its website, www.laworks.net. Job seekers can get assistance with skills assessment, job search and placement services, as well as information on training opportunities.
The centers can also provide information on support services and community resources available through community action agencies that work with the LWC. To find the nearest Business & Career Solutions Center, go to www.laworks.net and select “Local Offices & Services” in the upper right navigation on the home page.
