Gov. M. Jodi Rell announced on Oct. 22 that unemployed Connecticut residents will be eligible to receive an additional seven weeks of benefits.
High Extended Benefits (HEB) is a federal extension plan that states qualify for when their unemployment rate averages 8 percent or higher over three consecutive months.
"These benefits offer the lifeline we need to help our families weather this economic storm," said Rell in a press release from state. "While I am confident our nation will soon emerge from this recession, until we do recover and begin to create new jobs, we must provide assistance to those who felt the brunt of this downturn."
Unemployment rates have risen in the past three months, with 7.8 percent of the workforce unemployed in July, 8.1 percent unemployed in August and 8.4 percent unemployed in September.
According to Nancy Steffens, the spokeswoman for the Connecticut Department of Labor, the state issued nearly 132,000 unemployment checks totaling $44.7 million in last week alone.
"In 2007, we had about 40,000 workers filing for unemployment each week. In 2009, we've seen about 90,000 each week," said Steffens.
State economists anticipate that Connecticut's unemployment rate will continue to trend toward the national average of 9.8 percent. Steffens said that Connecticut may see its unemployment rate rise as high as 8.7 percent. Many economists believe the unemployment rate may begin to drop in 2010.
"Until employers feel comfortable that the economy is turning around, they won't be doing a lot of new hiring," said Steffens.
After HEB goes into effect on Nov. 15, claimants can potentially receive up to 79 weeks of unemployment benefits.
Prior to last year's economic collapse, Connecticut residents seeking unemployment benefits only qualified for 26 weeks of regular state benefits. Thirty-three weeks of Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC), and 13 weeks of Extended Benefits (EB) were made available prior to Connecticut's inception of HEB.
Residents who are currently receiving EB will automatically receive the seven additional weeks provided in HEB.
Unemployment benefit checks average $311 per person each week. The maximum amount someone can collect is $537. The state also offers an additional $15 per week for each dependant, for up to five dependants.
"Unemployment benefits are based on wages, and Connecticut tends to be a high wage state," said Steffens.
Rell said that although Connecticut's unemployment rate is below the national average, state residents still need economic support.
"This newest extension is a welcome relief to the thousands of citizens who want to work, are diligently seeking employment, but have had little success," said Rell.
According to Steffens, Rell has also filed for an extension of the EB plan, which will expire in December if Congress does not approve her extension request.
Additional information about HEB and other unemployment benefits programs can be found at the Connecticut Department of Labor's Web site: ct.gov/dol.
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