Extended unemployment benefits to end soon

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The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) announced today that 13 weeks of extended unemployment benefits, known as Federal-State Extended Benefits (EB), will be phased out, effective the week ending January 14.

As required by federal law, the extended benefits won't be available because the state's three-month average unemployment rate has fallen below 6.5 percent. The extended benefits will be ending in nine other states in January as well.

With the change, unemployed Minnesotans still may be eligible for up to 73 weeks of unemployment benefits, including 26 weeks of regular state-funded benefits and 47 weeks of benefits under the federally funded Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) Program.

DEED began mailing letters earlier this month to approximately 7,000 applicants who may be affected by the reduction in benefit weeks.

About 118,000 people are currently requesting unemployment benefits in Minnesota on a weekly basis.

For more information about the changes, go to www.uimn.org or call 651-296-3644, toll free at 1-877-898-9090 and TTY for the hearing impaired at 1-866-814-1252.

DEED is the state's principal economic development agency, promoting business recruitment, expansion and retention, workforce development, international trade and community development. For more details about the agency and our services, visit us at www.PositivelyMinnesota.com. Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/PositivelyMN.

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Upon request, the information in this news release can be made available in alternative formats by contacting the DEED Communications Office at 651-259-7161

Tags: minnesota news, news, updates, unemployment