ELIGIBLE CLAIMANTS MAY RECEIVE UP TO 13 MORE WEEKS OF BENEFITS; FEDERAL STIMULUS PROVIDES $25 WEEKLY INCREASE
HARRISBURG – Out-of-work Pennsylvanians now may be eligible for up to 13 more weeks of unemployment benefits and receive a $25 increase to their weekly compensation, Gov. Edward G. Rendell said.
“Additional unemployment benefits could help keep families afloat during these difficult economic times,” Rendell said. “The extra safety net allows unemployed workers to continue to pay for food, shelter and other necessities until they are able to rejoin the workforce.”
All laid-off workers receiving unemployment benefits will get the additional $25 a week that was authorized in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act signed by President Obama last month. The payment will be made separately from claimants’ regular benefit payments.
Individuals eligible for the additional 13 weeks of benefits will be notified by the Department of Labor & Industry with instructions on how to apply for the extended benefits.
Out-of-work Pennsylvanians may now be eligible to receive unemployment benefits for up to 72 weeks. Prior to the 13-week extension, unemployed Pennsylvanians could claim up to 59 weeks of benefits – 33 weeks of federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation benefits after their maximum 26 weeks of state benefits ran out.