Up To 13 Weeks Of Extended Benefits May Be Available To Eligible Workers

May 7, 2020
No. 20-16

JUNEAU, Alaska — Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development (DOLWD) Commissioner Dr. Tamika L. Ledbetter announced today that up to 13 weeks of Extended Benefits (EB) will be available to eligible workers receiving regular Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits beginning the week of May 3, 2020.

Alaska’s insured unemployment rate of 5.93 percent exceeded the threshold to trigger EB for a period of at least 13 weeks. Unemployed workers who exhaust their regular UI benefits may be eligible for an additional eight to 13 weeks of benefits. Division of Employment and Training Services will notify potentially eligible workers by mail.

Individuals with remaining balances of regular UI will continue to draw regular benefits until those benefits are exhausted. Upon exhaustion, workers will be able to submit an application for EB to continue their benefit payment.

Individuals wishing to apply for EB should contact their nearest UI Claim Center by dialing (907) 269-4700 in Anchorage, (907) 451-2871 in Fairbanks, (907) 465-5552 in Juneau or toll free at (888) 252-2557 from all other areas.

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