Extended unemployment benefits available

Published 12:38 pm Saturday, July 26, 2008

For more information on unemployment benefits, visit the Industrial Relations Web site at:

http://www.dir.alabama.gov

As a result of President Bush’s June 30 signing of the Supplemental Appropriations Act (H.R. 2642), which includes the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) Program, unemployed Alabamians may be eligible for up to 13 additional weeks of unemployment compensation.

“Gov. Bob Riley signed an agreement with U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine L. Chao on July 1 calling for Alabama to carry out provisions of the Supplemental Appropriations Act,” says Tom Surtees, director of the Alabama Department of Industrial Relations. “Under the EUC Program, as many as 13 more weeks of benefits may be available to unemployed persons who have exhausted regular state benefits on or after May 1, 2007. This should provide a significant stimulus to Alabama’s economy.”

On July 9, Industrial Relations began mailing information and instructions on filing for benefits to potentially eligible workers.