Unemployment Benefits Extension

MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - Alabamians who are unemployed are
eligible for an additional 13 weeks of unemployment compensation
benefits, effective Feb. 15, because the state's jobless rate has
averaged over 6 percent for three months.
Alabama Department of Industrial Relations Director Tom Surtees
said Thursday the additional benefits came through federal
legislation.
In November, the state qualified for an extension of 20 weeks.
So the two extensions combined result in an additional 33 weeks of
benefits added to the existing 26 weeks of regular benefits.
About 12,000 Alabamians may currently be eligible for the
additional benefits.
Workers who may qualify will be notified by mail with filing
instructions.
Current and future claimants who exhaust their regular benefits
will automatically be continued on the extended benefits as long as
they qualify.