oosiers may file a claim for unemployment insurance online via Uplink, a service of the Indiana Department of Workforce Devel- opment, and you may gather information online regarding unemployment, as well. IN NOV. '09, CONGRESS ENACTS NEW EXTENSION of Jobless Benefits for Up To 99 Weeks Total Federal lawmakers on Nov. 6, 2009, enacted another extension of un- employment benefits. The new law will provide up to 20 weeks of additional benefits to unemployed residents of Indiana. With this extension, eligible Hoosiers will be able to claim up to 99 weeks of jobless benefits.

The Indiana Department of Workforce Development anticipates that federal rules will allow the provision of these new benefits to eligible Hoosiers beginning the week of Nov. 23, 2009. Individuals who have already exhausted their jobless benefits — but remain unemployed — will be able to apply for this extension beginning on Nov. 23 through Uplink, the state's online unemployment benefits program.

In July 2008, federal officials initially approved a law authorizing 13 additional weeks of Extended Unemployment Compensation (EUC) for eligible individuals who used all of their original state unemployment insurance. In this light, upon receiving 100 percent of their original unemployment insurance payments, Hoosiers may be eligible for an additional 13 weeks of benefits.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
for Extension of Jobless Benefits
In order to qualify for 13 additional weeks under federal EUC, a person must meet the same requirements necessary to qualify for Indiana unemployment benefits. For instance, the prerequisites include:

 CURRENTLY UNEMPLOYED  
1)—He or she must be currently unemployed;

 20 WORK WEEKS before SEPARATION  
2)—The individual must have worked 20 weeks, or its equivalent, prior to being separated from employment; and 

 EXHAUSTION of STATE UI BENEFITS  
3)—He or she must have exhausted all state unemployment insurance (UI) benefits. 

The federal Extended Unemployment program covers individuals unemployed on or after May 1, 2007. In addition, the EUC program will be available to workers who use up their state unemployment benefits anytime before March 31, 2009. Beginning on July 6, Hoosiers can apply online for EUC by visiting DWD's website. Additional information about the program is available on the website. Applications for EUC, moreover, can be made in person at any WorkOne Northern Indiana office beginning on July 7. After a review by DWD, qualified individuals will be eligible to receive payments starting the week of July 14, 2008.

THREE STEPS TO FILE
for Unemployment Benefits
If you have additional questions, you also may contact the DWD call center (phone, 1-800-891-6499 during 8:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., EST, Monday-Tuesday, and 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Wednesday-Friday, or email to workone@dwd.in.gov). Moreover, staff members of your local WorkOne Centers throughout Northern Indiana can provide you with information on unemployment insurance claims. If you choose to visit a local WorkOne Center, you will need to complete the following steps:

 REGISTER FOR WORK  
1)—Register for work either online or at your nearest WorkOne Center. Provide your name and address, Social Security number, personal iden-
tification, most recent employer’s name and address, dates you worked for the employer, and the reason you are unemployed;

 USE WORKONE'S RESOURCES
2)—Take advantage of WorkOne Customer Service Representatives who can direct you to resources, including conducting job searches through WorkOne's powerful IndianaCareer-
Connect.com web portal. File weekly claims in person, via mail, or online. Be sure to complete forms accurately and according to deadlines to prevent delays in processing your claims; and

 ATTEND REQUESTED ACTIVITIES
3)—Return to your WorkOne Center as requested for job interviews, search assistance, and any special services or training for which you qualify.

ADDITIONAL HELPFUL DETAILS AND
Tips about Jobless Benefits for Hoosiers
For more details and tips for filing your Unemployment Insurance (UI) Claim, check out the UI section of our Frequently Asked Questions or click to the Unemployment Insurance information section of the Indiana Workforce Development website.