GOVERNOR LINDA LINGLE AUTHORIZES ADDITIONAL 13 WEEKS OF UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE BENEFITS FOR UNEMPLOYED

For Immediate Release: July 3, 2008

HONOLULU – Governor Linda Lingle announced today that she has authorized the extension of 13 additional weeks of federally funded unemployment benefits for the State of Hawai‘i.  The extension will be in effect from July 6, 2008 through March 31, 2009.  Currently, those who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own are authorized to collect 26 weeks of unemployment insurance benefits. 

The extension is authorized under the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) that was signed by President George W. Bush as part of the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2008.  While the extension is approved by the President and Congress, the governors of each state must authorize the use of extended benefits for their individual states.

“This extension will provide unemployed individuals and their families with additional financial resources to help pay their bills as they get back into the job market,” said Governor Lingle.  “These extended benefits will not have an impact on the state's General Fund or the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, as all of the benefits are provided through the federal government.”

To ensure prompt payment of the EUC, the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR) announced today that they will be mailing out notices to an estimated 37,000 individuals who are potentially eligible for EUC benefits.  These individuals should report in person with their notice to a local DLIR unemployment insurance claims office to file for the EUC.  Individuals who qualify for the EUC should receive their notice no later than July 19, 2008. 

Individuals who have not received a notice by July 19, 2008, but believe that they may qualify for the EUC, should call their local claims office at the following locations: Honolulu – 586-8970 or 586-8971; Waipahu – 675-0030; Maui – 984-8400; Moloka‘i – 553-1750; Hilo – 974-4086; Kona – 322-4822; and Kaua‘i – 274-3043.

“While Hawai‘i maintains one of the lowest unemployment rates in the nation and our state’s economy is able to absorb those on unemployment within an average of 14 weeks, we still have an obligation to assist those who are having a more difficult time in finding employment;” said Darwin L.D. Ching, Director of Labor and Industrial Relations.  “These 13 additional weeks will allow individuals the opportunity to receive further job training and placement services from our department.”

In order to collect the EUC, claimants must meet the following qualifications:

Basic Requirements:

a. Must be unemployed

Must have exhausted all regular benefits or the benefit year on a regular claim has expired.  Claimants who have exhausted or have had their benefits expired must have a benefit year ending date after April 30, 2007 on their last regular claim.  Claims with a benefit year beginning May 2, 2006 and a benefit year ending May 1, 2007 and thereafter will meet this requirement.

b. Must not have rights to regular or extended benefits under any State or Federal law.

c. Must not be receiving benefits under the Canadian unemployment law.

d. Must still meet all eligibility requirements of the Hawai‘i Employment Security Law.

e. Must not have a disqualification or ineligibility currently in effect.

Special Requirements:

a. Must have 20 weeks of insured employment in the base period; or

b. Wages for insured work in base period equal to one and one-half times the high quarter wages; or

c. Wages for insured work in base period equal to forty times the claimant’s weekly benefit amount on a regular claim.

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For more information, contact:
Darwin Ching
Director, Dept. of Labor and Industrial Relations
Phone: (808) 586-8842

Lenny Klompus
Senior Advisor – Communications
Phone: (808) 586-7708

Russell Pang
Chief of Media Relations
Phone: (808) 586-0043