Unemployment Extension signed by Schwarzenegger

March 27, 2009

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed legislation which will extend unemployment insurance benefits for another five months.

This extension will help around 469,000 jobless Californians and their families to pay rent and buy food for one year when California’s unemployment rate increases by 10%.

Roughly about $3 billion if federal funds will finance the extension for unemployed residents who already exhausted their current benefits. The state’s unemployment insurance benefit program gives weekly benefits ranging from $65 to $475.

Eligibility for this program is determined through the income earned within a 12-month period.

The extension also enhances a state program of 26 weeks in addition to federal extensions, which totals 33 weeks. Some unemployed residents will now be eligible to receive up to 79 weeks of support.