Extended Unemployment Benefits

In June, the unemployment rate in Alaska rose to 8.4 percent in June of this year. If you’re one of the people who has been collecting unemployment benefits, you are probably concerned about the benefits coming to an end. In that case, you should take advantage of extended benefits available to you under the federal plan.

Extended Benefits, also known as EB, provide you to collect unemployment insurance when there is a high rate of unemployment and you’ve used up all your regular benefits. If you are eligible for the program, you will receive up to 50% more benefits, which include a dependent allowance.

The determination of whether or not Alaska will pay EB is based on the number of unemployed Alaskans, the Insured Employment Rate and the Totatl Unemployment rate. Visit http://laborstats.alaska.gov for additional information regarding unemployment rates.

You can apply for extended benefits by going to http://labor.state.ak.us/esd_unemployment_insurance/home.htm and filing online. Or you can file through an Alaska unemployment office, otherwise known as the claim center. After you apply, you will receive a letter that tells you how many weeks of extended benefits you will receive as well as how much benefits your will receive.

You might be eligible to receive benefits if you had a claim for unemployment insurance benefits that ended on or after 01/25/2009. Also, you cannot be eligible to for a new claim in Alaska or in any other state. Finally, you are only eligible if you were not denied on your last claim because you quit your job, you were fired for misconduct, or you refused an offer for suitable work.

When you file for Alaska exended benefits, you need to register with the Alaska Labor Exchange System (ALEXSYS) at www.jobs.state.ak.us and create an online resume. You must register with ALEXYS within 7 days after you establish your claim. Every week that you file for extended unemployment benefits, you must be actively looking for work. It is a good idea to use a spreadsheet to keep track of your contacts so you can followup and have something to show in case someone asks.

Make sure you continue to receive the Alaska unemployment benefits that you need. That way, you’ll keep receiving money into your bank account while you seek a stable job.