Many individuals ask themselves “What can I do to extend unemployment in Rhode Island?” Unfortunately, there is currently no unemployment benefits extension program available to jobseekers in the state, so you will have to rely on your own funds if your weekly compensation runs out. The last federal unemployment extension program ended in 2013 near the end of the great recession.
If you are interested in learning more about the federal unemployment extension program, keep reading to understand the following topics:
The Rhode Island unemployment extension program was created by Congress under the American Taxpayer Relief Act. This act required Congress to allocate almost $6 billion dollars in funds towards the EUC program. The EUC program was intended to provide unemployed workers with additional unemployment insurance funds during the Great Recession, but as the unemployment rate fell, government officials deemed the program unnecessary and expensive. Recipients of EUC funds received their last benefits in late 2013.
During a recession, it is to the advantage of the federal and state governments to enact an unemployment benefits extension program. If unemployment insurance coverage recipients do not have money to contribute to the economy, more jobs will be lost, and the unemployment rate will rise significantly. Out-of-work individuals may also be forced to seek additional financial assistance from the government to make ends meet as well. If these issues occur on a large enough scale, the conditions could create an economic depression.
The RI unemployment compensation extension program will only go into effect if certain standards set by the federal government are met. Unlike regular unemployment insurance benefits, which are issued by the state, the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program is enacted during times of high unemployment.
When Congress elects to enact the program, each state is placed into a tier based on its unemployment level.
If you are already receiving Rhode Island unemployment benefits, you will automatically receive an unemployment extension from the federal government, and you are allowed to file claims until the program expires. However, you must continue to meet the qualifications for unemployment set by your home state.
Another Rhode Island unemployment compensation extension undertaking was called the Extended Benefits (EB) program. This program provided unemployment claimants with up to 20 additional weeks of benefits, and like the EUC program, states could only qualify if they reached a certain unemployment rate. Presently, the unemployment rate in Rhode Island is too low for anyone to receive these extended benefits. Unlike EUC benefits, Extended Benefits cannot be received indefinitely.
If you are asking yourself “How can I extend unemployment in Rhode Island?” the information above may seem discouraging. Since there is no way to procure an unemployment compensation extension, many unemployed workers panic when their benefit year comes to an end. This is an understandable reaction, but the tips below may be able to help you weather the economic storm that comes at the end of the benefit year:
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