Norton Responds to Constituents Questions' about New Extended Unemployment Benefits (4/28/2010)
Norton Responds to Constituents' Questions about New Extended Unemployment Benefits
April 28, 2010
Washington, DC - In response to confusion and questions from D.C. residents about eligibility for the new temporary unemployment compensation benefits extension legislation signed by the President on April 15, 2010, the Office of Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) today issued guidance for constituents. This new legislation extends the time during which persons may qualify for the federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program.
Persons who have exhausted their regular state unemployment compensation benefits or their Tier I (20 weeks), Tier II (14 weeks), or Tier III (13 weeks) EUC benefits by the week ending May 29, 2010, will be moved into the next tier of EUC benefits for which they qualify, and therefore will be able to receive the full benefits available in that next tier.
For instance, if a person exhausts his or her Tier I EUC benefits by the week ending May 29, 2010, he or she will be moved into Tier II, and therefore will be able to receive Tier II EUC benefits for the subsequent 14 weeks.
This new legislation does not, however, entitle a person who has exhausted his or her Tier IV EUC benefits (6 weeks) to additional benefits. Similarly, if a person has not exhausted his or her regular state unemployment benefits by the week ending May 29th, he or she will not be able to receive EUC benefits under this legislation.
Congress is currently working on legislation to provide a long-term extension of EUC benefits.