Congress Passes 20-Week Extension of Unemployment Benefits

INDIANAPOLIS, IN - The federal government today enacted another extension of unemployment benefits. The legislation will provide up to 20 weeks of additional benefits to the unemployed in Indiana. This extension will result in eligible Hoosiers being able to claim up to 99 weeks of unemployment benefits.

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) is waiting to receive the specific rules governing this extension, including eligibility requirements, from the U.S. Department of Labor. However, DWD anticipates providing these benefits to eligible Hoosiers beginning the week of November 23, 2009.

"Indiana was among the first states in the nation last spring to implement the federal government's $25 increase in weekly benefits and DWD expects being among the first in the nation to begin providing this extension," said Teresa Voors, Commissioner of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development.

Hoosiers who have previously exhausted their unemployment benefits, but remain unemployed, will be able to apply for this extension beginning November 23, 2009 through Uplink, the state's online unemployment benefits system.  Updated information will also be posted at www.in.gov/dwd.