Unemployment benefits extended; special storm benefits added
Nebraska workers who have exhausted their unemployment benefits may apply for extended benefits beginning today.
Congress approved and President Bush signed the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2008, which will provide an additional 13 weeks of benefits to the current maximum of 26 weeks, so those who are eligible may receive up to 39 weeks of unemployment benefits.
In a press release, Commissioner of Labor Fernando Lecuona III said, “We are making the necessary preparations to process extended benefits for Nebraskans who have lost their jobs. Our outreach effort will include nearly 21,000 citizens who will be notified that they may be eligible for extended benefits. This will bridge the gap for Nebraska families struggling to find employment.”
The legislation provides that the federal government will pay 100 percent of the costs to extend the benefits.
Nebraskans will qualify for the extended benefit if their regular unemployment benefit year ended no earlier than May 1, 2007, and if they worked for at least 20 weeks before becoming unemployed, according to the release. The extended benefits program will be in effect through March 31, 2009.
Upon receipt of a notification of potential eligibility for extended benefit claims, individuals should call 402-458-2500. Nebraska Claims Center staff will be available to provide assistance.
In another announcement, Lecuona said people working in the counties of Buffalo, Butler, Colfax, Douglas, Gage, Hamilton, Jefferson, Kearney, Platt, Richardson, Sarpy, and Saunders who are unemployed due to the recent severe storms, tornados and flooding, may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance.
Individuals out of work as a result of the recent tornados and flooding that struck these counties beginning May 22, 2008, through Tuesday, June 24, 2008 may be eligible for Federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance.
This program provides benefits to individuals not covered under a state’s regular unemployment insurance program or Federal extended benefits program.
Qualified persons may include self-employed workers, farm workers, and other self-employed individuals not eligible under other unemployment insurance programs. This includes those who are unable to work because of the injury resulting from the disaster; individuals whose workplace is or was inaccessible or closed as a result of the disaster and individuals who were required to evacuate to a location making their workplace inaccessible.
Individuals should file claims as soon as possible, but no later then August 4, 2008, the state Labor Department said.
Unemployment insurance claims filing and general questions about the program can be made by telephoning the Nebraska Claims Center at 402-458-2500
Congress approved and President Bush signed the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2008, which will provide an additional 13 weeks of benefits to the current maximum of 26 weeks, so those who are eligible may receive up to 39 weeks of unemployment benefits.
In a press release, Commissioner of Labor Fernando Lecuona III said, “We are making the necessary preparations to process extended benefits for Nebraskans who have lost their jobs. Our outreach effort will include nearly 21,000 citizens who will be notified that they may be eligible for extended benefits. This will bridge the gap for Nebraska families struggling to find employment.”
The legislation provides that the federal government will pay 100 percent of the costs to extend the benefits.
Nebraskans will qualify for the extended benefit if their regular unemployment benefit year ended no earlier than May 1, 2007, and if they worked for at least 20 weeks before becoming unemployed, according to the release. The extended benefits program will be in effect through March 31, 2009.
Upon receipt of a notification of potential eligibility for extended benefit claims, individuals should call 402-458-2500. Nebraska Claims Center staff will be available to provide assistance.
In another announcement, Lecuona said people working in the counties of Buffalo, Butler, Colfax, Douglas, Gage, Hamilton, Jefferson, Kearney, Platt, Richardson, Sarpy, and Saunders who are unemployed due to the recent severe storms, tornados and flooding, may be eligible for Disaster Unemployment Assistance.
Individuals out of work as a result of the recent tornados and flooding that struck these counties beginning May 22, 2008, through Tuesday, June 24, 2008 may be eligible for Federal Disaster Unemployment Assistance.
This program provides benefits to individuals not covered under a state’s regular unemployment insurance program or Federal extended benefits program.
Qualified persons may include self-employed workers, farm workers, and other self-employed individuals not eligible under other unemployment insurance programs. This includes those who are unable to work because of the injury resulting from the disaster; individuals whose workplace is or was inaccessible or closed as a result of the disaster and individuals who were required to evacuate to a location making their workplace inaccessible.
Individuals should file claims as soon as possible, but no later then August 4, 2008, the state Labor Department said.
Unemployment insurance claims filing and general questions about the program can be made by telephoning the Nebraska Claims Center at 402-458-2500
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