How to Extend Your Unemployment Benefits

When you lose your job and apply for unemployment benefits, you are granted a monetary amount on your unemployment award letter. That amount is given to you in a set weekly amount, which varies. Once you expend that award, you may start to panic if you still haven't found a job. Fortunately, federal extended unemployment benefits can help you continue to receive unemployment compensation. You don't even have to fill out a separate application for the extended benefits.

Instructions

1

Use all your initial unemployment benefits. Usually you can see your total remaining benefits on your check stub.

2

Contact at least three employers each week you are unemployed to seek work. This is a requirement in all states to remain eligible for benefits. Besides your newspaper's job ads section, you can search online job websites such as Indeed.com or Beyond.com.

3

Await a letter via mail from your state unemployment office, once you have used all your initial benefits. The letter should arrive within 10 business days. The letter will confirm you have expended your award and state that you may be eligible for extended benefits. The letter's purpose is to inform you that the state unemployment office is reviewing your claim to see if you qualify for the extension. As long as you are still unemployed and looking for work, you will typically qualify.

4

Expect your extension awards letter, usually within a week of the first letter, to learn your benefit amount. Weekly claim forms will again arrive, which you must complete like the previous claim forms.