New Mexico Governor Richardson Announces an Additional 13 Weeks of Unemployment Benefits for New Mexicans

September 14, 2009 -- SANTA FE – New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson announced today that New Mexico’s unemployment rate will qualify the state to extend unemployment payments under both the federal Extended Unemployment Compensation (EUC) and Extended Benefits (EB) programs.

“The nation is experiencing an increased and continued demand for unemployment insurance benefits and New Mexico is no different,” Governor Richardson said. “With this additional extension, we can offer some relief by helping New Mexico’s unemployed bridge the widening financial gap as they continue to search for work."

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In July 2008, Congress enacted the federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation program which provided two tiers of benefits. New Mexico qualified for the Tier I extension which provided 20 weeks of additional benefits. In June 2009, New Mexico qualified for the Tier II extension that provided 13 weeks of additional benefits. Effective September 5, 2009, New Mexico qualified to issue 13 weeks of additional benefits under the EB program.

According to federal law, the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions, as Unemployment Insurance administrators, had a choice in the order of EUC and EB benefits. The choice determined the total number of weeks of benefits unemployed individuals can receive.

The department chose paying EUC Tier I and Tier II prior to EB which will give eligible unemployment insurance claimants up to 72 weeks of benefits; had the department chosen to pay EB first, claimants would only be eligible to receive 59 weeks.

The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions anticipates individuals will not be eligible for Extended Benefits until after October 5, 2009. Individuals who are potentially eligible will receive a letter from the NM Department of Workforce Solutions with instructions on how to reengage their benefits.

Source: New Mexico Governor