TRENTON — The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development has begun notifying unemployed workers about an expansion of extended unemployment benefits that are now available to support workers who run out of unemployment insurance (UI) benefits without finding a new job.

“This new extension of unemployment benefits will help to support our workers and their families during these difficult economic times,” said Governor Jon S. Corzine in a Nov. 24 release. “These additional benefits should also help to provide a ripple effect on local economies as unemployed workers use these much needed funds to purchase food, pay the heating bill or make that monthly rent payment.”

The State began mailing letters to approximately 65,000 workers who have exhausted both their regular state UI benefits and their first round of federally-funded extended unemployment benefits without finding employment. The letters will notify these workers that they may qualify for additional weeks of benefits.

The new extended benefits will be available for weeks of unemployment beginning Nov. 23, and will not be retroactive. Up to a maximum of seven additional weeks of benefits are being funded by the federal government under the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2008, which was enacted on Nov. 21.

The Extended Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program, passed by Congress in July 2008, originally provided a maximum of 13 weeks of federally-funded benefits. New Jersey claimants have collected more than $380 million in Extended Unemployment Compensation benefits.

State Labor Commissioner David J. Socolow said, “Last week’s employment figures underscored the tough times that job-seekers face right now. While New Jersey’s unemployment rate remains below the 6.5 percent national rate, at 6.0 percent, New Jersey’s unemployment rate is at its highest level in the last five years. Clearly, dislocated workers need more time to find jobs during this national economic downturn. Extended UI benefits provide vital income security to New Jersey families.”

For individuals who are collecting regular state UI benefits, the Department of Labor and Workforce Development will automatically file a claim for EUC benefits on their behalf, so that these individuals can seamlessly transition to the EUC program without having to complete a separate application. Individuals presently claiming EUC benefits will automatically qualify for the additional weeks of EUC benefits, and do not need to contact the Department. Individuals who have already exhausted their existing EUC benefits and who are potentially eligible for additional EUC benefits will be sent instructions on how to file online or by telephone.

More information about the EUC program is available by following the link on the Department’s Website at www.nj.gov/labor.