Extended Unemployment Benefits

• Extended unemployment benefits were set expire on February 28, 2010.
• The bill passed on March 2, 2010 renews the unemployment extensions that were enacted during 2009.
• As a reminder, there are currently up to 99 weeks of unemployment insurance available. The maximum benefits apply if the unemployment rate in your state is at least 8.5%.
• Regular unemployment: 26 weeks
• Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC): up to 33 weeks
• Extended Benefits (EB): up to 20 weeks
• Additional EUC: up to 20 weeks
• The new bill extends eligibility for the 3 additional “tiers” of unemployment benefits through the end of March.

Free Financial Assistance

• The U.S. government urges Americans to pay down credit card debt.
• There are currently programs in place to help you do this.
• You can legally cut your credit card debt: reduce your principal balance, stop late fees, and lower your interest rate. Very few people know how to take advantage of these programs.
• Fill out the quick form (it’s free & takes less than a minute) to lower your credit card bills.

COBRA Subsidy

• The 65% subsidy of COBRA health insurance payments has also been extended.
• Workers who lose their jobs through the end of 2010 are eligible for this subsidy.

Additional Unemployment Extensions

• The current bill maintains the $25 weekly increase in benefits put in place last year.
• Congress continues to discuss further unemployment extensions.
• To receive updates about the latest extension developments and to receive the free report, enter your email above.