Unemployment Insurance Extensions

Congress Passes Unemployment Extensions

12-23-11: Legislation has been passed that extends the time period to file for additional federal unemployment benefits (EUC08), including state Extended Benefits (EB).

This legislation does not add any additional benefits but rather extends the time period for claimants to file and receive benefits under the federal programs. A chart with new deadlines and phase-out dates is posted below.

Regular State UI Benefits
Missourians who lose their jobs due to no fault of their own and file an initial UI claim after April 16, 2011, will be eligible to receive up to 20 weeks of benefits. If claimants exhaust benefits under the regular UI program, they will need to establish an Emergency Unemployment Compensation 2008 (EUC08) claim by calling the Regional Claims Center. Claimants should review the chart below for benefit duration under the EUC08 and state EB programs. Please keep the Division of Employment Security informed of your current address by visiting the “File a Claim” page.

Benefit Type	Weeks Available*	Deadline to Establish Benefits	Last Payable Week
EUC08 Tier 1	UP TO 20 weeks OR 80% of UI claim	Week beginning 02-26-12	Week ending 08-18-12
EUC08 Tier 2	UP TO 14 weeks OR 54% of UI claim	Week beginning 03-04-12	Week ending 08-18-12
EUC08 Tier 3	UP TO 13 weeks OR 50% of UI claim	Week beginning 03-04-12	Week ending 08-18-12
EUC08 Tier 4	UP TO 6 weeks OR 24% of UI claim	Week beginning 02-19-12	Week ending 08-18-12
State EB	UP TO 20 weeks OR 80% of UI claim	Week beginning 03-04-12	Week ending 03-10-12

Additional details:

*The number of weeks payable under the EUC08 and state EB programs is the lower of the maximum number of weeks or the percentage of the UI claim as shown on the chart.

The previous tier of benefits must be paid out before the deadline listed above to be eligible for the next tier of benefits.

No state EB can be paid out after the last payable week shown, even if there is a balance on the state EB claim.

Overview

EUC08

• EUC08 First-Tier provides up to 20 weeks of additional benefits to claimants exhausting regular unemployment insurance (UI) benefits, or whose regular UI claim expired after May 1, 2007. The last week to establish EUC08 First-Tier benefits is the week of February 26 - March 3, 2012.
• EUC08 Second-Tier provides up to 14 weeks of additional benefits to claimants who exhaust EUC08 First-Tier benefits with the payment of the week February 26 - March 3, 2012, or before.
• EUC08 Third-Tier provides up to 13 weeks of additional benefits to claimants who exhaust EUC08 Second-Tier benefits with the payment of the week February 26 - March 3, 2012, or before.
• EUC08 Fourth-Tier provides up to six weeks of additional benefits to claimants who exhaust EUC08 Third-Tier benefits with the payment of the week February 12 - 18, 2012, or before.

The last week EUC08 benefits can be paid out is the week ending August 18, 2012.

State Extended Benefits (EB)

• State EB provides up to 20 weeks of additional benefits to claimants who exhaust all four Tiers of EUC08 benefits. The deadline to establish a state EB claim is the week beginning March 4, 2012.
• The last week state EB can be paid is the week ending March 10, 2012, even if there is a balance on the state EB claim.

NOTE:

• Claimants cannot file new EUC08 claims or move to additional tiers after March 4, 2012. However, claimants can continue to draw EUC08 benefits from the tier they are on through the week ending August 18, 2012.
• In most circumstances, regular Missouri unemployment insurance (UI) benefits must be exhausted before EUC08 benefits can be received. Federal legislation signed into law on July 22, 2010 includes a provision to allow a claimant to continue receiving EUC08 benefits instead of regular UI benefits if the following criteria are met:
  • The regular Missouri benefit year claim ended July 24, 2010 or later.
  • The claimant has established an EUC08 claim based on the regular claim that ended July 24, 2010 or later.
  • The claimant is eligible for a regular Missouri claim effective July 25, 2010 or later.
  • The weekly benefit amount (WBA) on the regular claim is at least 25 percent less than the WBA on the EUC08 claim.

If the above criteria are met, benefits will continue to be paid out under the EUC08 claim.  The regular claim will remain established for use upon exhaustion of EUC08, providing the regular claim benefit year is still in effect.

Federal Additional Compensation (FAC) - Details

Frequently Asked Questions

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EUC08 First-Tier Details

History:
The Emergency Unemployment Compensation 2008 (EUC08) Program is a federally-funded program provided by the U.S. Congress. The first payable week for EUC08 was the week of July 6-12, 2008. The EUC08 First-Tier pays 80 percent of the maximum benefit amount of a claimant’s regular unemployment insurance claim, or 20 weeks of benefits, whichever is less.

EUC08 First-Tier Qualifications:

• Your most recent claim must have exhausted regular unemployment insurance (UI) benefits, or be expired. If exhausted, your regular UI claim must exhaust with the payment for the week of February 19-25, 2012, or before. If expired, your claim must have expired May 1, 2007, or later.
• You cannot be eligible for unemployment insurance benefits on a new claim, or on a claim in another state or Canada.
• Claimants with an Emergency Unemployment Compensation 2008 (EUC08) balance as of February 26, 2012, can claim the remainder of their EUC08 balance through the week ending August 18, 2012.
• In most circumstances, regular Missouri unemployment insurance (UI) benefits must be exhausted before EUC08 benefits can be received. Federal legislation signed into law on July 22, 2010 includes a provision to allow a claimant to continue receiving EUC08 benefits instead of regular UI benefits if the following criteria is met:
  • The regular Missouri benefit year claim ended July 24, 2010 or later.
  • The claimant has established an EUC08 claim based on the regular claim that ended July 24, 2010 or later.
  • The claimant is eligible for a regular Missouri claim effective July 25, 2010 or later.
  • The weekly benefit amount (WBA) on the regular claim is at least 25 percent less than the WBA on the EUC08 claim.

If the above criteria are met, benefits will continue to be paid out under the EUC08 claim.  The regular claim will remain established for use upon exhaustion of EUC08, providing the regular claim benefit year is still in effect.

How to Apply for EUC08 First-Tier:
You must call your Regional Claims Center:
Jefferson City 573-751-9040
Kansas City 816-889-3101
Springfield 417-895-6851
St. Louis 314-340-4950
Outside Local Calling Area 800-320-2519

When you call, take the appropriate menu option and be prepared to provide the following information:

• Your current address and phone number,
• Your last employer since you last claimed benefits. This includes part-time or temporary employment. Be prepared to provide employer’s name, address, and last day worked),
• If you worked out of state in the last 18 months (be prepared to provide employer names, addresses, and dates of employment).

Also, you will be asked if you have:

• Filed for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits against another state since you last claimed Missouri benefits,
• Changed bank accounts (if you use the direct deposit method of payment).

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EUC08 Second-Tier Details

History:
The U.S. Congress expanded the Emergency Unemployment Compensation 2008 (EUC08) program to provide additional benefits to claimants exhausting EUC08 First-Tier. The EUC08 Second-Tier provides 13 weeks, or 50 percent of the maximum benefit amount (MBA), whichever is less. The EUC08 Second-Tier benefits are not payable for weeks prior to November 23, 2008.

Congress modified EUC08 Second-Tier, effective November 8, 2009, to now provide 14 weeks, or 54 percent of your regular unemployment insurance claim’s MBA, whichever is less. This additional week of benefits is not payable for weeks prior to November 8, 2009.

EUC08 Second-Tier Qualifications:

• You must qualify for and exhaust Emergency Unemployment Compensation 2008 (EUC08) First-Tier benefits with the week ending March 3, 2012, or before to qualify for EUC08 Second-Tier benefits.
• You cannot be on a claim in another state or Canada.
• In most circumstances, regular Missouri unemployment insurance (UI) benefits must be exhausted before EUC08 benefits can be received. Federal legislation signed into law on July 22, 2010 includes a provision to allow a claimant to continue receiving EUC08 benefits instead of regular UI benefits if the following criteria is met:
  • The regular Missouri benefit year claim ended July 24, 2010 or later.
  • The claimant has established an EUC08 claim based on the regular claim that ended July 24, 2010 or later.
  • The claimant is eligible for a regular Missouri claim effective July 25, 2010 or later.
  • The weekly benefit amount (WBA) on the regular claim is at least 25 percent less than the WBA on the EUC08 claim.

If the above criteria are met, benefits will continue to be paid out under the EUC08 claim.  The regular claim will remain established for use upon exhaustion of EUC08, providing the regular claim benefit year is still in effect.

Claimants with an EUC08 Second-Tier balance as of the week of March 4, 2012, can claim the remainder of their EUC08 balance through the week ending August 18, 2012.

The EUC08 Second-Tier benefits are added to your claim automatically after EUC08 First-Tier exhausts. You do not need to apply for EUC08 Second-Tier benefits. The EUC08 Second-Tier will not be added to any EUC08 claims exhausting with payments for any weeks ending after March 3, 2012.

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EUC08 Third-Tier Details

History:
The U.S. Congress expanded the Emergency Unemployment Compensation 2008 (EUC08) program in November 2009 to provide additional benefits to claimants exhausting EUC08 Second-Tier. The EUC08 Third-Tier provides 13 weeks, or 50 percent of your regular unemployment insurance (UI) claim’s maximum benefit amount, whichever is less. The EUC08 Third-Tier benefits are not payable for weeks prior to November 8, 2009.

EUC08 Third-Tier Qualifications:

• You must qualify for and exhaust Emergency Unemployment Compensation 2008 (EUC08) Second-Tier benefits with the week ending March 3, 2012, or before to qualify for EUC08 Third-Tier benefits.
• You cannot be on a claim in another state or Canada.
• In most circumstances, regular Missouri unemployment insurance (UI) benefits must be exhausted before EUC08 benefits can be received. Federal legislation signed into law on July 22, 2010 includes a provision to allow a claimant to continue receiving EUC08 benefits instead of regular UI benefits if the following criteria is met:
  • The regular Missouri benefit year claim ended July 24, 2010 or later.
  • The claimant has established an EUC08 claim based on the regular claim that ended July 24, 2010 or later.
  • The claimant is eligible for a regular Missouri claim effective July 25, 2010 or later.
  • The weekly benefit amount (WBA) on the regular claim is at least 25 percent less than the WBA on the EUC08 claim.

If the above criteria are met, benefits will continue to be paid out under the EUC08 claim.  The regular claim will remain established for use upon exhaustion of EUC08, providing the regular claim benefit year is still in effect.

Claimants with an EUC08 Third-Tier balance as of the week of March 4, 2012, can claim the remainder of their EUC08 balance through the week ending August 18, 2012.

The EUC08 Third-Tier benefits are added to your claim automatically after EUC08 Second-Tier exhausts. You do not need to apply for EUC08 Third-Tier benefits. The EUC08 Third-Tier will not be added to any EUC08 claims exhausting with payments for any weeks ending after March 3, 2012.

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EUC08 Fourth-Tier Details

History:
The U.S. Congress expanded the Emergency Unemployment Compensation 2008 (EUC08) program in November 2009 to provide additional benefits to claimants exhausting EUC08 Third-Tier. The EUC08 Fourth-Tier provides six weeks, or 24 percent of your regular unemployment insurance (UI) claim’s maximum benefit amount, whichever is less, as long as Missouri's three-month average total unemployment rate is at least 8.5 percent. The EUC08 Fourth-Tier benefits are not payable for weeks prior to November 8, 2009.

Under federal legislation, EUC08 Fourth Tier benefits are no longer available if EUC08 Third Tier benefits are exhausted in any week ending after February 18, 2012, as Missouri's three-month average total unemployment rate is below 8.5 percent.

EUC08 Fourth-Tier Qualifications:

• You must qualify for and exhaust Emergency Unemployment Compensation 2008 (EUC08) Third-Tier benefits with the week ending February 18, 2012, or before to qualify for EUC08 Fourth-Tier benefits.
• You cannot be on a claim in another state or Canada.
• In most circumstances, regular Missouri unemployment insurance (UI) benefits must be exhausted before EUC08 benefits can be received. Federal legislation signed into law on July 22, 2010 includes a provision to allow a claimant to continue receiving EUC08 benefits instead of regular UI benefits if the following criteria is met:
  • The regular Missouri benefit year claim ended July 24, 2010 or later.
  • The claimant has established an EUC08 claim based on the regular claim that ended July 24, 2010 or later.
  • The claimant is eligible for a regular Missouri claim effective July 25, 2010 or later.
  • The weekly benefit amount (WBA) on the regular claim is at least 25 percent less than the WBA on the EUC08 claim.

If the above criteria are met, benefits will continue to be paid out under the EUC08 claim.  The regular claim will remain established for use upon exhaustion of EUC08, providing the regular claim benefit year is still in effect.

Claimants with an EUC08 Fourth-Tier balance as of the week of February 19, 2012, can claim the remainder of their EUC08 balance through the week ending August 18, 2012.

The EUC08 Fourth-Tier benefits are added to your claim automatically after EUC08 Third-Tier exhausts. You do not need to apply for EUC08 Fourth-Tier benefits. The EUC08 Fourth-Tier will not be added to any EUC08 claims exhausting with payments for any weeks ending after February 18, 2012.

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State Extended Benefits (EB) – Details

History:
State legislation was passed allowing Missouri to begin paying state Extended Benefits (EB) effective February 22, 2009. The federal government pays 100 percent for these state EB benefits unless the parent claim is based on wages from a governmental entity or Indian Tribe. If there are wages from a local, city, county, state, or federal employer or an Indian Tribe in the base period of the parent claim, the employer is charged 100 percent of the EB.

State EB Qualifications:
You have exhausted both regular unemployment insurance (UI) and Emergency Unemployment Compensation 2008 (EUC08) claims and cannot be eligible in any other state, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Canada, the District of Columbia, or the federal government of the United States.

The state EB program provides additional benefits up to a maximum of 20 weeks or 80 percent of the maximum benefit amount on the regular parent claim, whichever is less.

If you live out of state, the state in which you reside may affect the number of weeks you can receive EB.

If you are receiving state EB, special work search requirements apply. Please review the "Missouri Extended Benefits Program" (MODES-4616) instructional sheet for details.

The last week a state EB claim can be established is the week beginning March 4, 2012. The last week EB can be paid is the week ending March 10, 2012.

How to Apply for state EB:
You must call your Regional Claims Center:
Jefferson City 573-751-9040
Kansas City 816-889-3101
Springfield 417-895-6851
St. Louis 314-340-4950
Outside Local Calling Area 800-320-2519

When you call, take the appropriate menu option and be prepared to provide the following information:

• Your current address and phone number,
• Your most recent employer since you last claimed benefits. This includes part-time or temporary work (be prepared to provide employer’s name, address, and last day worked),
• If you worked out of state in the last 18 months (be prepared to provide employer names, addresses, and dates of employment).

Also, you will be asked if you have:

• Filed for unemployment insurance (UI) benefits against another state since you last claimed Missouri benefits,
• Changed bank accounts (if you use the direct deposit method of payment).

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Federal Additional Compensation (FAC) - Details

As a part of the federal stimulus legislation, individuals receiving unemployment benefits also received an additional $25 weekly benefit amount. This payment began February 28, 2009 and ended with the week ending December 11, 2010.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What happens when I run out of regular unemployment insurance (UI) benefits?

If you are eligible for an extension, the Division of Employment Security (DES) will send you a letter advising you how to file for the extension. If your claim expires while you are receiving regular UI benefits, you may qualify for a new regular claim. If not, then you may qualify for the Emergency Unemployment Compensation 2008 (EUC08) extension. In most circumstances, regular Missouri unemployment insurance (UI) benefits must be exhausted before EUC08 benefits can be received. Federal legislation signed into law on July 22, 2010 includes a provision to allow a claimant to continue receiving EUC08 benefits instead of regular UI benefits if the following criteria is met:

• The regular Missouri benefit year claim ended July 24, 2010 or later.
• The claimant has established an EUC08 claim based on the regular claim that ended July 24, 2010 or later.
• The claimant is eligible for a regular Missouri claim effective July 25, 2010 or later.
• The weekly benefit amount (WBA) on the regular claim is at least 25 percent less than the WBA on the EUC08 claim.

If the above criteria are met, benefits will continue to be paid out under the EUC08 claim.  The regular claim will remain established for use upon exhaustion of EUC08, providing the regular claim benefit year is still in effect.

If you exhaust benefits for the EUC08 extension, and Missouri is in an extended benefit (EB) period, you may qualify for state EB.

How will I know if I qualify for further benefits?

When you exhaust your benefits or another extension occurs for which you may qualify, the DES will notify you by mail. Please keep the agency informed of your current address.

I was on an extension and was told I qualify for a new claim. The weekly benefit amount (WBA) is lower than my extension. Can I stay on the extension?

No. In most circumstances, regular Missouri unemployment insurance (UI) benefits must be exhausted before EUC08 benefits can be received. Federal legislation signed into law on July 22, 2010 includes a provision to allow a claimant to continue receiving EUC08 benefits instead of regular UI benefits if the following criteria is met:

• The regular Missouri benefit year claim ended July 24, 2010 or later.
• The claimant has established an EUC08 claim based on the regular claim that ended July 24, 2010 or later.
• The claimant is eligible for a regular Missouri claim effective July 25, 2010 or later.
• The weekly benefit amount (WBA) on the regular claim is at least 25 percent less than the WBA on the EUC08 claim.

If the above criteria are met, benefits will continue to be paid out under the EUC08 claim.  The regular claim will remain established for use upon exhaustion of EUC08, providing the regular claim benefit year is still in effect.

Can I apply for an extension before my benefits exhaust?

No. As in question 3, if you have regular UI benefits remaining, you must use those first, or have an expired claim, before an extension can be filed.

Can I call now to find out if I may be eligible for an extension in the future?

No. The extensions available start and end at various times. This is determined either through the legislation that created the extension, or by a reduction in the unemployment rate. The DES cannot determine your future eligibility until you either exhaust your current eligibility or your claim expires.

Is there a possibility of more extensions?

The U.S. Congress or the Missouri legislature can enact legislation to create further extensions. If another extension occurs after you exhaust your benefits, the DES will notify you by mail if you qualify. Please keep the agency informed of your current address.

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