Extended Benefits Continue To Be Available To Unemployed Workers

Jun. 18, 2003
No. 03-21

State continues to be in an extended benefit period due to the re-emergence of a federal formula trigger

Unemployment benefits for eligible, jobless Alaskans will be
extended past the week ending June 14, 2003.

Although Alaska's Insured Unemployment Rate (IUR) recently fell below 6% to 5.92% as previously reported, a different federal measure allows Alaska to continue in an Extended Benefit period due to the Total Unemployment Rate (TUR) rising above 6.5% to 7%, according to Bill Kramer, Unemployment Insurance Program Manager with the Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

The Department of Labor and Workforce Development is sending letters to potentially eligible workers who were previously notified of the ending of the EB program and advising them to continue filing for benefits.

Also, those workers not qualifying for Extended Benefits may meet the criteria for the Temporary Extended Unemployment Compensation (TEUC) program, which has been extended by Congress earlier this month. TEUC claims can be established through 12/27/03 and benefits are available through 4/3/04. TEUC eligibility differs from the EB program requirements, but both are wholly or partially federally funded.

###