Additional unemployment benefits may be available

Massachusetts claimants who have exhausted regular and extended unemployment insurance benefits may be eligible for up to 13 additional weeks of benefits, effective Feb. 15, Secretary Suzanne M. Bump of the state's Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development said today.

Bump's office said in a press release: "All potentially eligible Massachusetts claimants will be mailed instructions the week of Feb. 8 regarding how to file for additional extended benefits by the Division of Unemployment Assistance. The weekly benefit amount will be the same as the amount a claimant collected on their first extended benefit claim."

The benefits are available per the US Department of Labor under the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act of 2008, Bump's office said.

More information is available at the www.mass.gov/dua website, Bump's office said.
(By Chris Reidy, Globe staff)