The only way to get an unemployment benefits extension in Maine is if federal government reinstates an unemployment benefits extension program. This means that, unless the nation is experiencing high rates of unemployment and the federal government approves unemployment benefits extension, you must rely on your own funds when your unemployment ends. The state offers numerous job search resources, and your local Career Center may be able to provide you with a referral for work. In Maine, you can receive unemployment benefits for a maximum of 26 weeks during a 52-week period.
If want to learn how to get an unemployment extension when one becomes available, then read through the following unemployment extension sections:
A federal unemployment extension may be available to certain Maine unemployment beneficiaries if the federal government decides to implement a nationwide unemployment extension program. There are two different types of federal unemployment extension programs. One such unemployment extension program is called the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program. The EUC program allows unemployment beneficiaries who qualify for state unemployment to file claims until the program expires.
The government divides federal unemployment extension payments into four tiers:
During times of high unemployment, you may be able to receive an unemployment compensation extension in Maine with the help of the federal government and its Extended Benefits (EB) program. Currently, this program is not available because the unemployment rate in Maine is too low, but it can provide up to 20 additional weeks of unemployment benefits to workers. This program is not the same as EUC, and whether or not the government will enact this unemployment extension program depends on the nation’s current unemployment rate. At the moment, no states qualify for this unemployment extension program.
Any Maine unemployment compensation extension income that you collect from the federal government must be recorded on IRS tax form 1099G. You can request that the government automatically deduct 10 percent of your income to cover tax costs. If you do not sign up for automatic deductions, you will have to make quarterly estimated tax payments throughout the year.
The Maine unemployment extension program was created in response to the Great Recession of 2008. The program ended in late 2013. The U.S. government allocated nearly $6 billion towards the program under the American Taxpayer Relief Act. The majority of unemployed workers received an average of 17 additional weeks of unemployment at the beginning of the program, but the figure later dropped to five weeks in 2013. This Act also stated that unemployed workers did not have to apply for a ME federal unemployment extension, instead they were automatically entitled to receive extended benefits if they are already receiving state benefits.
Many times, an unemployment extension program will not be at your disposal. Unemployment beneficiaries who are asking themselves “What can I do to extend unemployment benefits in Maine?” may find this information unsettling, but there are ways to make ends meet until you can find a new job.
If you are unable to get a Maine unemployment compensation extension, please consider taking the following steps.
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