'Jobless pay extended'

Jobless pay extended

11/03/09 06:23

As further jobs continue to be lost across the state of Utah there is some degree of silver lining. This week Utah's Department of Workforce Services announced that they would extend the period of jobless pay by a further 13 weeks.

This news came as Utah's rate of unemployment remained at 6% for the third month in a row. It was recognized by the Department of Workforce Services that within this period many people had found themselves unemployed, had searched fruitlessly for work, and were now facing the withdrawal of their benefits. In recognition of this situation the period of unemployment benefits has been expanded from the original  26 week period to a 59 week period and will take effect as of November 8th.

With more than 15,000 residents of Utah having used all of their benefits and any additional emergency assitance available, these further 13 weeks of assistance will no doubt be greatly appreciated - especially approaching the difficult holiday season.

This extension of benefits has been funded by a federal program which authorizes the extension of benefits up to December 31st, with plans to phase this out in May of next year.

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