Bush Extends Unemployment Benefits

07.07.2008 by KCPW

(KCPW News) If you're looking for a job in Utah and need some financial assistance, help could be on the way. President Bush has agreed to extend unemployment benefits. Utah Unemployment Insurance Director Bill Starks says it could pay dividends for some residents as the state's unemployment rate is on the rise.

"Our initial claims are running about 50% higher this year than the same period last year. So, there is more unemployed workers and our job growth in the state of Utah has declined significantly too," says Starks.

In fact, Utah's unemployment rate in May was 3.2%, up from 2.6% in May of last year. Those numbers represent an increase of more than 9,000 unemployed Utahns.

The extension gives those collecting a traditional 26 weeks of unemployment benefits an additional 13 weeks. In other words, people could receive an additional 50% in extended benefits. However, Starks says those whose benefits ended prior to May 1, 2007, won't be eligible.

"Anybody that had filed a claim with a benefit year ending after that date, and had exhausted all their rights to regular unemployment benefits, could potentially be eligible," says Starks.

Starks says those people would still have to meet state eligibility requirements.