October 07, 2010
Thursday

Juneau, Alaska—A “High Unemployment Period” for the federally funded extended unemployment benefits program will expire in Alaska on Oct. 16 - after this date, extended benefits will be available for only 13 weeks instead of the previous 20.

The High Unemployment Period is defined in Alaska Statute as a three-month seasonally adjusted total unemployment rate of eight percent or more. Alaska’s unemployment rate dipped to 7.9 percent in June, and 7.7 in July and August.

The High Unemployment Period began on May 3, 2009. Since that date, eligible individuals have been collecting up to 20 weeks of extended benefits.

Individuals who have exhausted the standard extended benefit entitlement will not be able to collect any remaining High Unemployment Period benefits after Oct. 16.

For individuals who have exhausted their extended benefits, the federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation program is available. Eligibility for EUC may be established through Nov. 27, 2010, with payments phased out through April 30, 2011.

Individuals currently collecting High Unemployment Period benefits will be notified by mail and advised to file a claim for EUC. Applications for EUC may be submitted online at MyAlaska.Gov when an individual’s extended benefits balance is exhausted.

Source of News:

Alaska Department of Labor & Workforce Development
www.labor.state.ak.us

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