Governor Ritter signed Senate Bill 09-247 on June 2, 2009, with authorizes State Extended Benefits (SEB). Unemployment benefits are increased for up to 13 additional weeks when the average total unemployment rate reaches 6.5 percent. The benefits are increased for up to 20 additional weeks when the average total unemployment rate reaches 8 percent. In both cases, the total average unemployment rate is based on a three month period of time.

Before you can dip into SEB, you need to use your regular Colorado unemployment insurance as well as your Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) provided by federal programs. Unless you are told otherwise, you should just continue filing weekly claims.

To collect Colorado EUC, you need to file an online application. Go to the website www.coworkforce.com/uib to file. You can visit the site anytime at your convenience. You’ll want to be sure you have at least 30 minutes to dedicate to the online process.

In order to be eligible for EUC, you must not be eligible for a new unemployment insurance claim in the United States or Canada. You must be either unemployed or working a job at less than 32 hours a week. Another requirement is that you must be physically capable of working. You also need to be available for any work the moment a job is offered to you. Finally, you must be looking for work and you must document your job search activities.

You need to begin your application as soon as you can. The date you begin your application determines the date your claim for unemployment EUC starts. Whenever you are unemployed, you need to make every moment count. In between searching for jobs, don’t forget to apply for any Colorado unemployment benefits you can, including emergency employment compensation.