Federal unemployment extension programs ending

The Real World News - Independent Breaking News Headlines Press Media |The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce on Wednesday reminded those receiving benefits that the various federal unemployment extension programs provided for by Congress through the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2010, will end on Tuesday, November 30. Since the extension act was passed, unemployed South Carolinians (and those across the nation) were able to possibly qualify for up to 99 weeks of jobless benefits. Without that extension, most people were only eligible to receive 26 weeks of state benefits.

The state's Department of Workforce advised that unless Congress enacts another extension, unemployment insurance claimants will be unable to move to their next tier of Emergency Unemployment Compensation benefits after the end of the month.

The phase-out does not immediately affect individuals who are currently receiving benefits on a particular tier of EUC. Those claimants will continue to receive the remaining balance of that tier. However, once claimants have exhausted that specific tier of benefits, they cannot advance to the next tier.

Below are some FAQ provided to us by the SCDEW.

Frequently Asked Questions Concerning Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC)

1) What is the ending date for EUC?

Beginning Nov. 30, 2010, the EUC program will gradually phase-out. The phase-out does not immediately affect individuals who are currently receiving benefits on a particular tier of EUC. Claimants may continue to receive the remaining balance of that tier. However, once they have exhausted that specific tier of benefits, they will not be allowed to advance to the next tier.

For new initial EUC Tier 1 claims, a claimant must exhaust their regular UI benefits on or before Nov. 23, 2010 to be eligible for EUC program. Anyone exhausting their UI claim after that date will not be eligible for EUC. For those claimants on EUC Tiers 1-4, they must exhaust their claims on or before Nov. 30, 2010 to advance to the next tier. If a claimant should exhaust their current tier after that date, they will not be eligible for the next tier.

2) How do I find out if I have a balance left?

If a claimant is filing by Telclaim or online using Standard Weekly Filing, then Telclaim or online app will advise the claimant of the remaining balance. If a person is filing by Pay Order Card (POC) either online or by mail, the claimant must contact their local workforce center.

3) Will Extended Benefits (EB) be available when either my regular UI or EUC runs out?

The last payable week for EB for any claimant in South Carolina that has funds available on his EB claim is the claim week of December 6, 2010.

4) Why did my $25.00 stimulus payment stop?

According to the law, the last week for payment of the Federal Additional Compensation (FAC), which provided an extra $25 per week in unemployment benefits, would be the claim week of December 13, 2010. A claimant could continue to receive benefits at his regular weekly benefit amount as long as he has a remaining balance, but will not receive the extra $25 after that claim week.

5) Will Congress extend EUC?

It is uncertain what action, if any, Congress may take at this time. Please continue to monitor the SCDEW web site for further details.

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