FEDERAL UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE  
EXTENDED BENEFITS

 
  1. Who is entitled to extended benefits?

You may be entitled to extended benefits if you:

    • Are unemployed.
    • Have established eligibility for state or federal unemployment compensation and have exhausted those benefits.
    • Do not have available regular benefits under the unemployment compensation laws of any state, the Virgin Islands, Canada or the United States.
    • Meet the eligibility requirements of the law and are not disqualified.
    • Had a valid claim with an effective date of May 7, 2006 or after .

Not everyone is entitled to extended benefits. For example, an individual whose benefit year ended before May 05, 2007 will not be eligible for extended benefits.

In addition, an individual who was disqualified on his regular unemployment claim and has not met the requirements to remove that disqualification will not be eligible for extended benefits.
 
  1. How can someone find out if he or she is eligible for extended benefits?

Letters will be mailed to potential eligible candidates, however if you do not receive a letter and feel you may be eligible for the extended benefits, go to http://oet.ky.gov or call (859) 547-3362 to file a claim.
 
  1. Under what circumstances will I be disqualified for extended benefits?

You are subject to the same disqualifications under the extended benefits program as under Kentucky’s regular unemployment insurance benefits program.
 
  1. How do I apply for extended benefits?

You may file your claim for extended benefits over the internet at http://oet.ky.gov/ on Sunday between 2:00 pm and 9:00 pm EST or Monday through Saturday from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm EST or over the telephone at (859) 547-3362 Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., Eastern Standard Time. This is not a toll-free number.  You must have a touch tone  phone to file over the telephone system.
 
  1. How do I request a check for extended benefits?

You must claim extended benefits on a bi-weekly basis. However, extended benefits can only be claimed over the telephone at 866-291-2926 on Sunday between the hours of 2 to 9 p.m. and Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST.
 
  1. How much money can I receive?

Your weekly extended benefit rate is the same as the rate you collected previously through the regular unemployment insurance claim.
 
  1. When will extended benefits start?

The first payable week will be July 6, 2008 through July 12, 2008.
 
  1. What will happen to my extended benefits if new regular state or federal benefits rights become available to me?

Any time you become eligible for regular state or federal benefits you must file a new claim for regular benefits and your eligibility for extended benefits will end.
 
  1. How will I be paid for extended benefits?

All payments of extended benefits will be made via check mailed to the address you supply when you file.
 
  1. Will I have a right of appeal under the extended benefits program?

Yes. You have the same appeal rights under the extended benefits program as under the regular benefits program.
 
  1. Does the law provide any penalties?

Yes, if you intentionally make a false statement or misrepresentation or conceal material information to obtain benefits, you will be required to make restitution and may be subject to a fine and/or imprisonment, and/or community service. If, by mistake, you gave incorrect information when you filed your claim, you may avoid penalties by notifying us as soon as you realize the mistake.
 
  1. Can a person who has returned to work file for extended benefits retroactively?

No. The extended benefits program does not pay retroactively.
 
  1. If someone is collecting unemployment insurance now, will they automatically receive extended benefits when they have exhausted their regular unemployment insurance benefits?

No. Once you exhaust your regular Unemployment Insurance benefits, you must file separately for extended benefits.
 
  1. What are the job search requirements for extended benefits recipients?

You must be able and available to work each week. If instructed to do so, you must also actively search for work.

You must apply and keep a verifiable work search record that includes the following:

  • The name, address and phone number of the company
  • The date of application
  • The manner of application (in person, by mail, through internet, etc.)
  • The specific position and shift
 
  1. How many weeks will I be paid under the extended benefits program?

Potential candidates may receive up to 13 weeks

 
   16.  I heard extended benefits were going to be extended even longer do I need to
          re-open my claim?
  • If you are currently claiming extended benefits, there is no need for you to reopen your claim. The additional 7 weeks will be added to your claim.
  • If you have exhausted your original extended benefits claim you will need to refile your claim to receive your additional 7 weeks of benefits.