Maximum of 79 Weeks of Benefits Now Available

HARRISBURG, Pa., Aug. 4 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Pennsylvanians who have exhausted their unemployment benefits may now apply for up to seven additional weeks of payments under legislation signed by Governor Edward G. Rendell today.

"I am thrilled to sign this legislation that will immediately provide money to more than 23,000 Pennsylvanians whose unemployment benefits have run out," said Governor Rendell. "This money is badly needed right now by individuals who must pay for food, shelter and other necessities for their families as they try to find jobs in a challenging economy. I have wholeheartedly supported this legislation and I applaud the General Assembly for approving it.

"Through December, nearly 60,000 people could receive the additional seven weeks of benefits with no additional costs to businesses," said Governor Rendell. "This legislation will put money in people's pockets and infuse $145 million directly into our economy this year."

With this extension, Pennsylvanians who are out of work through no fault of their own may qualify for up to 79 weeks of unemployment benefits.

Individuals who are eligible for the additional extended benefits will automatically be notified by mail with instructions on how to file for the additional benefits.

"We understand the financial strain facing unemployed workers and their families," Labor & Industry Secretary Sandi Vito said. "We have strongly advocated for and supported the extension of benefits. We will work to get benefits out to those who need them as soon as possible."

The extended benefits are federally funded through the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act for workers laid off by private-sector and nonprofit employers. Because the benefits are federally funded, this extension will have no effect on the state's Unemployment Compensation Trust Fund. More than 30 other states have adopted similar legislation.

The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his newsletter, visit: www.governor.state.pa.us.

EDITOR'S NOTE: Following is a list of how many people in each county who will receive immediate financial relief under the bill Governor Rendell signed today.

    UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION EXTENDED BENEFITS CLAIMANTS PROJECTED TO EXHAUST BENEFITS FOR WEEKS ENDING 7/18/09, 7/25/09 AND 8/1/09 BY COUNTY

                                 Average                              Average
    County         Number(1)      Payment    County        Number 1    Payment
    ------         -------       -------     ------        -------     -------

    ADAMS            70            $355     LACKAWANNA       470        $318
    ALLEGHENY        1,680         $305     LANCASTER        550        $330
    ARMSTRONG        130           $324     LAWRENCE         190        $300
    BEAVER           270           $305     LEBANON          120        $324
    BEDFORD          100           $314     LEHIGH           640        $313
    BERKS            840           $344     LUZERNE          830        $308
    BLAIR            210           $277     LYCOMING         280        $301
    BRADFORD         80            $278     MCKEAN           80         $336
    BUCKS            1,010         $373     MERCER           190        $279
    BUTLER           240           $336     MIFFLIN          80         $345
    CAMBRIA          430           $297     MONROE           340        $325
    CAMERON          10            $357     MONTGOMERY       1,10       $377
    CARBON           170           $310     MONTOUR          10         $262
    CENTRE           140           $370     NORTHAMPTON      40         $320
    CHESTER          510           $398     NORTHUMBERLAND   60         $272
    CLARION          60            $282     PERRY            60         $354
    CLEARFIELD       190           $267     PHILADELPHIA     5,210      $306
    CLINTON          80            $344     PIKE             70         $255
    COLUMBIA         120           $306     POTTER           40         $323
    CRAWFORD         140           $267     SCHUYLKILL       390        $316
    CUMBERLAND       210           $349     SNYDER           70         $340
    DAUPHIN          340           $305     SOMERSET         220        $306
    DELAWARE         910           $356     SULLIVAN         10         $302
    ELK              90            $301     SUSQUEHANNA      70         $331
    ERIE             690           $320     TIOGA            50         $319
    FAYETTE          370           $308     UNION            6          $314
    FOREST           10            $251     VENANGO          90         $261
    FRANKLIN         160           $308     WARREN           60         $335
    FULTON           20            $314     WASHINGTON       300        $318
    GREENE           50            $218     WAYNE            60         $276
    HUNTINGDON       80            $303     WESTMORELAND     720        $337
    INDIANA          160           $320     WYOMING          50         $330
    JEFFERSON        90            $295     YORK             540        $329
    JUNIATA          40            $326     STATEWIDE        23,400     $321

    (1) The number of claimants per county has been rounded to the nearest
    10. Out-of-state claimants have not been included.

    CONTACT:
    David Smith, L&I
    717-787-7530

    Ken Snyder
    717-783-1116

SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor

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RELATED LINKS
http://www.governor.state.pa.us