Unemployment Compensation Benefits on the Way

HARRISBURG, July 29, 2009 – State Sen. J. Barry Stout (D-Washington/Greene/ Allegheny/Beaver/Westmoreland) announced today that bipartisan legislation that would use federal money to extend unemployment benefits by seven weeks for jobless workers was approved by the full Senate today.

“I am very pleased that the legislature has finally passed this legislation that is critical to so many Pennsylvanians,” Stout said. “Without these unemployment compensation benefits, these jobless Pennsylvanians would not be able to survive this harsh economic climate.”

The bill now goes to the House for approval of a technical amendment. Gov. Ed Rendell is expected to swiftly enact the legislation.

With the enactment of this legislation, 1,330 workers in Allegheny County, 220 in Beaver County, 40 workers in Greene County, 240 in Washington County, and 580 in Westmoreland County would continue to receive unemployment dollars. Statewide, the legislation would impact more than 17,000 jobless workers.

Stout said there is $145 million in federal aid that would pay for extended benefits for the affected workers. The measure would give most jobless workers a total of 79 weeks of unemployment benefits.

“It is important that we recognize the needs of our citizens, especially our jobless citizens,” stout said. “Enacting this legislation is simply the right thing to do.”

The workers who lost their benefits 10 days ago will be contacted by the state Labor and Industry Department about how to receive the extension.

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