HONOLULU — The state Department of Labor &Industrial Relations Thursday announced that it would launch federal and state extended benefits to the unemployed next week to Hawai‘i workers who have exhausted their state and federal jobless benefits.
HONOLULU — The state Department of Labor &Industrial Relations Thursday announced that it would launch federal and state extended benefits to the unemployed next week to Hawai‘i workers who have exhausted their state and federal jobless benefits.
The extended-benefits program kicks in after an unemployed individual exhausts 26 weeks of state unemployment and the 13 weeks of federal Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation.
“The extended-benefits program provides a much-needed safety net for Hawai‘i claimants who have exhausted their current benefits and are still dealing with the long-term effects of unemployment due to COVID-19,” said DLIR Director Anne Eustaquio.
“Potentially-eligible individuals will be identified and notified by mail and advised to apply for benefits online.”
Claimants must be unemployed or underemployed and be able to work and available for work. The program’s weekly benefit amount is the same as the individual received for regular state unemployment insurance. With the additional 13 weeks, an eligible claimant may receive up to 52 weeks of benefits. A detailed chart explaining how to apply for extended benefits is at labor.hawaii.gov/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/UI-EB-How-to-File20201010.pdf.
The new Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act provides full federal funding for the program through the end of the year. Forty-four states have opted in on the program as of the beginning of October.
For more information about unemployment insurance and other labor issues visit labor.hawaii.gov/covid-19-labor-faqs/.
