Human Services News

From PR Newswire:

"This new money provides an immediate financial lifeline for tens of thousands of Pennsylvanians and their families who are in great need as the holiday season begins," Governor Rendell said.

Through federal legislation enacted Nov. 21, unemployed Pennsylvanians who have exhausted their state unemployment benefits can now apply for up to 20 weeks of emergency unemployment compensation.

Pennsylvania's relative economic good health -- a seasonally adjusted unemployment rate below 6 percent -- disqualified the commonwealth from receiving an additional 13 weeks of emergency unemployment compensation funding through the new legislation signed Friday by the President.

In his role as chairman of the National Governors Association, Governor Rendell last month called on Congress to pass an economic recovery package that provides additional funding to the states for Medicaid and investments in our nation's infrastructure, along with other measures including extending unemployment benefits.

Over the next two weeks, potentially eligible claimants will be contacted by the Department of Labor & Industry via mail with information and instructions on filing for the emergency unemployment compensation.

The department asks that claimants allow at least two weeks for the delivery of the eligibility notices.

If claimants have not received a notice by Dec. 8, and believe they are eligible, they can call the unemployment compensation service center.

The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses.

To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit:www.governor.state.pa.us.

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