The Path to Extended Benefits

Confused about collecting Extended Benefits? Well, the process IS confusing, even for all of us overqualified, over-educated, overzealous job-seekers! You may be wondering how one might even get to be a 99er when your state bennies run out after 79 or "whatever" weeks. Well, there is a little work involved in applying for EB, those extra weeks.

First of all, not every state qualifies for the extra 13-week, or in some states 20-week federally funded Extended Benefits (EB) and EB may start only after an individual exhausts other unemployment insurance benefits.

Here's the path to finding the information you need:

FYI from the US Dept of Labor: The weekly benefit amount of Extended Benefits is the same as the individual received for regular unemployment compensation. And, the total amount of Extended Benefits that an individual could receive may be fewer than 13 weeks (or fewer than 20 weeks).

Does your state qualify for Extended Benefits? Find out here.

Now, you've probably already been on your state's Unemployment Insurance website, but in any case, you can go here to find any state's site.

Once on your state's site: Unfortunately this is where basically you're on your own to figure out the mumbo jumbo that is your state's legalese. On each site, search for EXTENDED BENEFITS. If that doesn't come up, go to the contact information and call them or email them. And yes, that's often a crap-shoot since so many states have cut back on these workers! But, in any case, there will be a list of addresses of LOCAL UI offices. Go down to your local office and ask them to explain it. Remember, these are your tax dollars that they're getting paid with to explain it to you, so don't walk away until all your questions have been completely answered!

Here's the general EB info from US Department of Labor. And for general information from the US Department of Labor on initial UI benefits, you can look at the basics here.

Good luck, and don't forget you can always call your elected officials to ask questions or complain, or tell them you're furious about them taking away your safety net -- especially when it's Congress's fault that your job went away! Go here to find out how to contact them.

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