How Do I Get an Unemployment Insurance Extension?

The steps you will have to take to get an unemployment insurance extension will typically depend on the jurisdiction in which you live. In many places, however, the duration of your benefits will be decided when you are approved to receive benefits. When unemployment rates are particularly high, however, the government may extend the length of time an unemployed person can receive benefits. Often, an unemployment agency will automatically file a claim on behalf of a person who has run out of benefits but is still eligible to receive them because of an extension. In the event that this does not occur, however, you will need to contact the unemployment agency in your area and file a claim — you may also have to call, sign a form, or visit a website to claim your additional checks each week.

If you are eligible for an unemployment insurance extension but your claim is not filed automatically, there may be a couple of ways to file a claim for an extension on your own. Often, you can accomplish this by visiting a website maintained by the unemployment agency in your jurisdiction. If such a website is not available to you or you do not feel comfortable applying online, these agencies usually provide a phone number you can call to file claims. This way, you can avoid standing in line to file a claim for an unemployment insurance extension.

Since unemployment insurance extension claims are often processed automatically, you may not have to do much to ensure that you will continue to receive checks. In most cases, you will receive notice of the extension and your eligibility in the mail. If you do not receive one and you're not sure you're eligible, you can call the unemployment agency to inquire about your eligibility. Often, eligibility depends on how long you worked during a specified period before you applied for benefits. For example, you may be eligible for an extension if you worked full time for 20 weeks during a specific period of time before you applied for benefits.

You may also have to claim the additional benefits for which you are determined eligible. For example, you might have to sign and mail in a form, log on and click a button, or call your jurisdiction's unemployment agency to claim your weekly benefits when you receive an extension. Usually, this process is the same as the one you are required to follow to receive benefits in a regular claim period.