President Obama Signs Extended Unemployment Benefits into Law
Relief is on the way for many Americans who saw their unemployment benefits expire in the beginning of June as the bill became deadlocked within the US Senate. With this bill, state officials estimate that up to 70,000 Massachusetts residents will see their benefits return according to the Boston Globe on July 23, 2010 (http://www.boston.com/business/articles/2010/07/23/new_unemployment_law_fixes_snag/). 

This bill renews the extended federal benefits for those who have been unemployed for over six months, with payments available for an extra 73 weeks after the usual 26 weeks funded by the state. For those who had their benefits expire before they were able to receive their full possible payments, they will be able to retroactively receive these sums. These benefits may take a little time to be sent out as the Massachusetts Department of Labor and Workforce Development analyzes what amounts are owed to 70,000 people.

If people have questions regarding their benefits, they can contact the Department at 1-888-998-8418. More information is also available at www.mass.gov/dua/ui. Those claiming their benefits should continue to do so as hours are extended at claim call centers, Monday through Friday, 7:00 AM -6:30 PM and Saturday, 8:00 AM -1:30 PM.