Legal flaw could cut jobless benefits
A glitch in the language of new legislation that extends unemployment benefits could leave thousands of Mainers without assistance.
Congress passed a law earlier this month to extend jobless benefits for up to 20 more weeks, but the measure failed to cover those whose benefits ran out during the gap between several previous extensions, Capitol News Service reported. The latest extension is the fourth Congress has passed. More than 11,000 Mainers received extended federal benefits in November, with an average benefit of about $266 a week. More than 12,000 received state benefits with an average weekly payment of about $275.
Congress would need to act soon to amend the legislation by Dec. 31, which could prove challenging with health care reform and other issues already on the agenda. If lawmakers act in time, the state will notify residents who appear to qualify for the extended benefits, according to the news service.
Go to the article from Capitol News Service >>
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