Unemployment benefits extended in state

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Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) Commissioner Dan McElroy has announced the availability of state emergency unemployment benefits.

Governor Tim Pawlenty signed the bill providing Special State Emergency Unemployment Compensation for unemployed Minnesotans who have exhausted regular state unemployment benefits but do not qualify for a federal extension.

This Special State Emergency Unemployment Compensation program is similar to the current federal extension program. Eligible applicants may receive up to 33 weeks of additional unemployment benefits.

“This extension of benefits comes at the right time for unemployed Minnesotans who are seeking work and did not qualify for the federal benefits,” said Commissioner McElroy.

DEED will identify and mail information to the 6,000 potentially eligible individuals within a week. Unemployed workers may apply for these benefits beginning February 1. This is the first week benefits are payable.

Individuals may apply for the special emergency unemployment benefits online at www.uimn.org or by phone at (651) 296-3644: toll free 1-877-898-9090; TTY for the hearing impaired 1-866-814-1252.

Tags: unemployment, benefits