For Immediate Release: December 5, 2012
Contact: Kerry Koonce
Telephone: (515) 281-9646
Printer Friendly PDF VersionFederal Emergency Unemployment Compensation Program Ceases
DES MOINES – The Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program, which has provided Iowans with up to 47 additional weeks of benefits, will expire at the end of December as the program has not been extended by Congress. The week ending December 29th will be the last payable week of the program.
“Iowans have benefited from federal unemployment program since the summer of 2008,” stated Iowa Workforce Development director Teresa Wahlert. “The number of individuals unemployed in Iowa continues to decrease and the state consistently maintains the fourth lowest unemployment rate in the country.”
Individuals, currently receiving EUC benefits will be notified by the department over the next week regarding their individual benefit situation. With the cessation of the federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation program, unemployment claimants in Iowa, who qualify for benefits, will still be eligible to receive up to 26 weeks of regular benefits through the state system in a 52 week period.
“I strongly encourage anyone in need of employment assistance to visit one of our 15 regional IowaWORKS centers, three satellite offices or one of the more than 800 virtual access technology locations across the state,” said Wahlert.
IowaWORKS centers and Access Points provide a wealth of services including skill assessments; job placement assistance; résumé, interviewing, job search and re-employment classes; basic computer training and more. For more information on employment services, contact your local IowaWORKS office or visit www.iowaworkforce.org.
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