oosiers may file a claim for unem- ployment insurance online via Uplink, a service of the Indiana Department of Workforce Development, and you may gather information online regarding unemployment, as well. In 2009, federal lawmakers adopted a law providing 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. Individuals who have already exhausted their jobless benefits — but remain unem- ployed — will be able to apply for this extension through Uplink, the state's online unemployment benefits program. Earlier, federal officials in 2008 enacted an Extended Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program to provide additional benefits to out-of-work Hoosiers. The highlights of the program include: The original 13-week program, passed in 2008, was stretched to 20 weeks; A second EUC component offers 13 additional benefit weeks for unem- ployed Hoosiers. Claimants who have exhausted both the 26-week component of Indiana unemploy- ment benefits as well as the 20-week component of federal extend- ed unemployment benefits now are eligible for up to an additional 13-week component of federal jobless payments; Individuals will be able to file for the federal benefits through Indi- ana's Uplink system. Go to Uplink Logon page. Payments for these claims, however, may not appear in a person's debit card account for up to five business days after the initial filing; and  More information on the second extension is available through the state Department of Workforce Development's Frequently Asked Questions document.

In order to qualify for additional weeks under federal Extended Unemployment Compensation benefits, a person must meet the same requirements necessary to qualify for Indiana jobless 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. STEPS TO FILE FOR SERVICES & BENEFITS AND DWD CONTACT INFORMATION 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). 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 WorkOne, you will need to complete these 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 identification, 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's staffers who can direct you to resources, including conducting job searches through WorkOne's powerful Indiana Career Connect.com web portal.  ICC offers individuals the most comprehensive source of Indiana job openings as well as help in aligning his or her skills to available jobs. Moreover, the site pro- vides employers with access to an extensive database of job seekers and highlights qualified individuals with neces- sary experience and workplace abilities. 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 WorkOne as requested for job interviews, search assistance, and any special services or training for which you qualify.     ADDITIONAL DETAILS 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.