On February 17, 2009, the government enacted the Federal Additional Compensation program as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (otherwise known as the economic stimulus package. It provided for people to receive an extra $25 every week of Wyoming unemployment benefits. The extra money is available until July 30, 2010.

Along with the $25 extra per week, the federal government provides up to 20 total weeks of emergency unemployment compensation, otherwise known as EUC. You can take advantage of EUC after you have exhausted your normal Wyoming unemployment benefits. The last day to be eligible for a new claim under the current program is December 26, 2009.

To be eligible for EUC, you must have a benefit year that is over and also be unable to ascertain a new benefit year under normal Wyoming unemployment insurance. Or, you must have exhausted all your benefits available in the current year.

Visit the Wyoming Internet Claims Filing website at http://wyui.doe.state.wy.us to file online for EUC. You can also file by telephone at (307) 473-3789. If you are outside of the state of Wyoming, you can call 1-866-729-7799.

In order to continue receiving Wyoming unemployment benefits, you must meet the eligibility requirements. This means you must be capable of working, available to work, and actively seeking work.

As you can see, the government is working to relieve your concerns about unemployment benefits. As a person claiming benefits, remember that you have the right to receive them. With that right comes responsibilities that you need to meet in order to continue to be eligible. Working together with the state of Wyoming, you can receive a temporary income while you focus on getting a stable job.