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Published: June 25, 2009
Q An April 20 Winston-Salem Journal article ("Rise in unemployment leads to more fraud, officials say") said that unemployed workers can now get benefits up to 79 weeks. Who qualifies for this long extension, and how does one go about applying for it? I have been unemployed for a year and my benefits have been exhausted. I have made calls to the Employment Security Commission. -- M.C..
A. Not everyone qualifies for the extended benefits.
An emergency extension program, approved by Congress last June, adds up to 33 extra weeks of benefits on top of the regular 26 weeks provided by most states.
Whether you qualify or not depends on when you became unemployed. People who filed initial claims after May 7, 2006, are potentially eligible for the extra 33 weeks.
Because North Carolina has had a high unemployment rate, people here are eligible for extended benefits that kick in after the extra 33 weeks.
Also, people who lost their jobs because of foreign trade may be eligible for benefits under the U.S. Trade Adjustment Assistance Act.
The best way to find out if you qualify is to apply.
To file a new claim by phone, call 877-841-9617. As one might expect, the N.C. Employment Security Commission call centers are extremely busy. If you can't get through to the call center, contact your local office.
The Forsyth County office number is 776-6720. Or apply in person between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at 450 West Hanes Mill Road, Suite 101, Winston-Salem. You can also apply or find more information at www.ncesc.com.
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