Governor Rell: 13 More Weeks of Benefits

Begins For Those Exhausting Federal Extension

Governor M. Jodi Rell announced today that the state Labor Department is updating its records for unemployed individuals who have exhausted the 33 weeks of federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC08) and are eligible for the 13 weeks of Extended Benefits (EB).

According to Governor Rell, eligible claimants will automatically receive the additional 13 weeks of EB unemployment benefits. Those claimants who were among the first to begin receiving EUC08 are this week exhausting their 33 weeks of emergency benefits, with the first payable week of EB to begin the week ending April 18.

“We are updating our records to allow claimants to seamlessly transition from the 33 weeks of Emergency Unemployment Compensation Benefits to 13 additional weeks of Extended Benefits,” Governor Rell noted. “Finding a job in these challenging times can be extremely difficult. This 13-week extension is a welcome relief to those who are working hard to find work, but have met with little success.”

The agency will be sending letters to all eligible individuals to notify them of the additional 13 weeks and the special qualifying requirements for those collecting Extended Benefits, which included more stringent “work search” requirements.  Additional information regarding EB, including Frequently Asked Questions, can be found on the Labor Department’s Web site at www.ct.gov/dol.

According to the Governor, the 13 weeks are in addition to the 26 weeks of state benefits and the 33 weeks of federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC08) currently being provided to the state’s jobless residents. The Extended Benefits program will increase the maximum benefit entitlement to a total of 72 weeks for many claimants. Under federal guidelines, the state is “triggering” onto Extended Benefits as a result of high unemployment rates.