Colorado Extends Tier III Unemployment Benefits

Additional Weeks of Unemployment Benefits Now Being Provided to Unemployed Coloradans

A recent federal law granted a third federal extension of unemployment benefits in Colorado, and according to the Department of Labor and Employment, payment of those benefits began last week. The soonest that states were authorized to begin making payments was the week of December 7 and Colorado is among the first five states in the nation to begin issuing payments under this latest tier of extended benefits. Already, 10,000 claimants have had additional unemployment payments loaded onto their debit cards.

The new law provided more money to Colorado residents who have run out of money on their regular unemployment claims and on the other two prior extensions to their unemployment benefits. This latest extension is called Tier III of Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) adds a maximum of one week of benefits for Tier II. It also provides a maximum of 13 weeks of benefits for those who have run out of benefits on other extensions. Payment of Tier III benefits will be retroactive to November 8, 2009.

“These additional weeks address a real, kitchen-table issue for so many Colorado families that are running out of funds,” says Donald J. Mares, Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. “It will provide a measure of financial stability to people who are worried about making the rent and buying groceries when their unemployment runs out.”

For more information, visit www.coworkforce.com.