Why is unemployment being extended 7 weeks longer than it can be received?

February 3, 2009 6:59 PM

Unemployment benefits have been extended 33 weeks in many states so some people will receive 26 + 33 weeks of unemployment. From the little I understand about how unemployment works, an unemployment benefit year is 52 weeks long. What is the point of extending unemployment to 59 weeks if seven of those weeks can't be claimed?
posted by somas1 to Work & Money (4 answers total)

in FLA we got a 13 week extension. Of which i am nearing the end.........not good
posted by patnok at 7:19 PM on February 3, 2009

Response by poster: patnok, I'm not sure if I'm reading this page right but it looks like will receive the full 33 week extension. In fact this page says that all 50 states received an extension of 20 weeks not 13. Those states with higher than 7% unemployment also receive an additional 13 weeks after that.
posted by somas1 at 7:27 PM on February 3, 2009

I think it's simply that the 33 weeks are an extension past the benefit year. For instance, this Washington state page says you are only eligible for the emergency unemployment compensation if the "benefit year on the claim has ended or you received all of the benefits".
posted by smackfu at 7:29 PM on February 3, 2009

Response by poster: WCityMike, look at smackfu's link above your post. The Washington State page clearly says they are offering 33 weeks of additonal benefits. This page also says that all people in all 50 states are eligible for 20 weeks for additional benefits and those in states with high unemployment are eligible for 33 weeks.
posted by somas1 at 7:41 PM on February 3, 2009