ARE EXTENDED UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS ENDING IN 2011 OR 2012?
Unemployment insurance benefits are NOT a federal program. When you file for unemployment, you have to do that with the state where you worked because each state has it’s own program and rules. They are generally similar though, and if you qualify you will usually get 26 weeks. If you live in one of the states with high unemployment you might get additional weeks depending on the state program. After those weeks are used up, you will need to get extended unemployment and that is from a federally funded program.
There has been news that the extended unemployment benefits are ending in 2012 and as of right now that is correct. Starting at the beginning of January 2012, there will be no more extended benefits offered unless Congress decides to extend them again. What this means is that if you lose your job now, the 26 weeks you get from your state will take you past the January 2012 date and you won’t be eligible for any more weeks. If you lost your job before July 1, 2011 you will probably qualify for more benefits because your state benefits will end in 2011, just under the wire.
President Obama would of course like to extend unemployment benefits to all Americans, especially in a time of need like this. However, with all the in-fighting over the national debt and so many people wanting to cut back on spending, it is unlikely that Congress will act any time soon to make any extension. However, that does not mean for sure that it won’t happen sometime in the next 6 months so you should not lose hope if you have just been laid off or let go at your job.
You can read more here from the Department of Labor.
