November 21, 2008
What you need to know about your extended unemployment benefits
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NWjobs
If you're one of the many whose unemployment checks are about to run out, you've probably heard the good news by now: President Bush signed a law today that will extend your unemployment benefits seven more weeks. That should make the holidays a bit cheerier.
Things you should know about the extension, and unemployment benefits in general:
- It's best to file for unemployment immediately upon losing your job, as the benefits can take a few weeks to kick in. (Incidentally, the Associated Press reports that unemployment checks average $300 a week.)
- In order to collect a state check, you need to actively be looking for work. Check with the state's Employment Security Department for details.
- According to CNNMoney.com, if your unemployment checks have recently run out or are about to run out, your seven extra weeks of checks likely will kick in automatically. Again, check with the Employment Security Department for details on your particular situation.
- Temping, freelancing, or working part time will reduce your unemployment check. And you're still required to look for full-time work if you want to keep receiving those state checks.
Note: Getting an extension on your unemployment checks is not license to go hog wild on your holiday spending. You'll be sorry you did come January. For those who need it, here's a primer on low-cost gift giving.
Michelle Goodman is the author of "My So-Called Freelance Life" and "The Anti 9-to-5 Guide." E-mail Michelle at mgoodman@nwjobs.com
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Karen Burns is the author of The Amazing Adventures of Working Girl, a career guide based on her 59 jobs over 40 years in 22 cities.
Lisa Quast is a certified career coach, mentor, business consultant, former corporate executive and author based in the Seattle area.
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Matt Youngquist is the president of Career Horizons, a career counseling firm.
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Michelle Goodman is the author of "My So-Called Freelance Life" and "The Anti 9-to-5 Guide."
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Jas on November 21, 2008 3:22 PM | Reply
A Merry Christmas indeed...our family plans to just skip Christmas this year but I guess we can celebrate a bit. Thanks
John on November 21, 2008 4:52 PM | Reply
I hear ya man, thank God! Things were really starting to look bleak, but maybe this will help out some. I just hope it comes through!
john on November 21, 2008 5:49 PM | Reply
um, even if you did just recently get them ended, or will shortly, the "automatically" wording is a bit misleading.
the last time I got my extension, it took 6 weeks _after_ I filed. and that was about a week after the extension was signed into law.
it took three weeks just for Massachusetts to even mention it on their website, to explain the delay.
they understaff the computer people. odds anyone will get this before x-mas are zero-- last time around, there were fewer, not more, applying for the extension than will be now.
MARK on November 21, 2008 9:49 PM | Reply
I JUST RAN OUT OF MY FIRST EXTENSION OF 13 WEEKS, I SAW TV NEWS AND THEY SAID TODAYS EXT... WOULD BE 7 WEEKS , AND ON ANOTHER CHANNEL THEY SAID 13 WKS. WELL WHAT IS IT. AND YES, THE UNEMP... OFFICE IS UNDER STAFFED AND WE WILL BE VERY LUCKY TO GET THIS ON TIME FOR THE HOLIDAYS.
Michelle Goodman on November 21, 2008 11:23 PM | Reply
According to CNN and the AP, it's seven weeks in states with unemployment rates under 6 percent. And it's 13 additional weeks on top of those first seven (so 20 weeks total) in states with an unemployment rate of more than 6 percent.
Washington's unemployment rate was 6.3 percent in September, according to the most recent BLS data available. So if all goes as planned, eligible Washington residents should get the full 20 weeks of unemployment benefits. Check with the unemployment office for details and to see if you qualify.
Per CNN: "The measure helps people whose benefits have recently expired, extending benefits by seven weeks in all states, and extending them for another 13 weeks on top of that in states with unemployment rates that have averaged 6% or higher over the most recent three months."
State unemployment rates from September:
http://money.cnn.com/pf/features/lists/state_unemployment/
tara on December 1, 2008 3:01 PM | Reply
I have 4 kids and i havent found work. I am single and my bills are so far behind its a mess. WE as americans cant live this way and i think we should speak out to dc. Also i ve been on the phone for an hour waiting for an agent god bless america.... atleast the banks have the $$$$....
mike on November 29, 2009 1:01 PM | Reply
as jesus for help in getting our ex ben checks in time to celebrate his birthday. if we dont get them he can celebrate by himself! i will never buy another thing except rice and shelter.
margaret on January 1, 2010 1:32 PM | Reply
from south carolina. iam waiting on the extension. this will be my first one. 2009. i havent goten a check since november 24th 2009. its jan 1st 2010. how long does it take. someone give me some info from south carolina.