Massachusetts Unemployment Benefits Extended

July 06, 2008 by
Pam Gaulin  
Pam Gaulin
Pam Gaulin
  • Published Content: 2,130
  • Total Views: 7,195,576
  • Fans: 540
View Profile | Follow | Add to Favorites
Single page
Font Size
Read comments (25)
More topics
Aflcio  |  Extended  |  Unemployment Benefits  |  Unemployment Insurance
Boston, MA. - Massachusetts unemployment benefits have been extended by up to 13 weeks, according to the Massachusetts Division of Unemployment Assistance (DUA). Mass.
Massachusetts Unemployment Benefits Extended
Date: July 7, 2008
Boston, MA
United States of America
unemployment now covers up to a maximum of 39 weeks of unemployment benefits instead of up to 26 weeks. Congress passed a law on June 30, 2008, which enabled states to extend unemployment insurance benefits.

The Mass. unemployment benefits extension comes on the heels of the news that Mass. unemployment has risen again, from April's 4.1 percent to May's 4.9 percent, according to the Boston Herald. The Mass. unemployment increase is catching up the national unemployment rate.

Mass. Unemployment and the National Rate

The June unemployment rate in the United States is 5.5% according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The Labor Department reports a loss of 62,000 jobs as employers, including Citigroup and Starbucks, have been increasingly cutting jobs. This is the sixth month in a row that jobs have declined, according to the Labor Department as reported by the AFLCIO.

The extended benefits are being funded 100 percent by federal money. Local businesses and Massachusetts employers do not have to worry about paying for the extensions, according to the Massachusetts DUA.

Benefits and Insurance

Governor Deval Patrick has made the Mass. unemployment extension available immediately, starting July 7, 2008. The extension will end on March 28, 2009, according to the Massachusetts DUA.

Approximately 95,000 letters of eligibility are being mailed to residents who "may be eligible" for the Mass. unemployment benefits, according to the Massachusetts DUA.

How to File

As of July 7, 2008, Massachusetts residents may call 1-888-998-8418 for more information on filing their extended benefits claims. The toll-free number hours are Mondays through Thursdays from 8:00 a.m. through 6:00 p.m., Fridays from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Sunday hours will start on July 13, 2008 and will be from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. (Massachusetts DUA).

Benefits

Page: 1 2 Next »
 Print   Save Read comments (25)   Next piece
Related Video
   
RelatedRecommendedFeaturedMore By This Source
Ten Costly Myths About Unemployment Insurance
You might not ever need unemployment insurance, but if and when you do, don't fall prey to false assumptions. Knowing ahead of time is knowing in plenty of time.
By Carol Anne Carroll  |  Published 9/20/2005  |  Read more »
Throw an Unemployment Party
An umemployment party that includes comfort foods and others who share the same status may be the first step towards a better day. Share your stories and your ideas of how to make unemployment a thing of the past.
By Teresa Opdycke  |  Published 4/18/2006  |  Read more »
Employment Staffing Agencies in Boston, Massachusetts
Employment staffing agencies in Boston, Massachusetts offer their clients a chance to broaden their job search field to include a larger number of employment opportunities.
By R. Ann Sipper  |  Published 4/17/2006  |  Read more »
Unemployment Rate Relationships
The role of unemployment measurements as a tool to measure economic solvency.
By Zane Ewton  |  Published 8/18/2006  |  Read more »
How to Collect Unemployment Benefits
Nearly all employers in the United States carry unemployment insurance, which allows them to compensate employees who are no longer able to work for their company through no fault of their own.
By Steve Thompson  |  Published 10/25/2006  |  Read more »
Six Tips for Freelancing While on Unemployment
Most people who find themselves on unemployment have one goal: To get another job, and fast. But if you are used to working a full-time job while moonlighting as a freelance writer, you will have a far more difficult time navigating the unemployment line than most.
By Steve Thompson  |  Published 2/21/2007  |  Read more »
Related information
ResourcesTakeaways
Last Minute Travel Deals
Deals in Boston
Boston Omni Parker House Hotel$161
Boston Park Plaza Hotel$139
Clarion Nantasket Beach Resort Hotel & Spa$143
Club Quarters in Boston$149
Comfort Inn & Suites Boston/Airport$122
Doubletree Guest Suites Boston$103
Harborside Inn Of Boston$159
Hyatt Regency Boston$213
Hyatt Regency Cambridge$151
Sheraton Boston Hotel$161
 
Comments 1 - 10 of 25 Next >>
Comments
Type in Your Comments Below

what happens after the current extension runs out? i seek work everyday but no luck:( how are we suppose to live are we gonna get a bailout like the companies, times are tough i've worked all my life but this recession is killing the industrys and jobs are rare to find are we going to get more help? I hope so, we shouldnt have to worry how we are gnna eat or pay bills
Add a Comment

Posted on 04/18/2009 at 8:04:15 AM

Aug. 16th and still no info on when the "software problems" are going to be corrected and the extended benefits money will be released. Also, every call to the extended benefits phone number is met with a recording requesting a callback on another day due to the call volume. What's up with all this run around? Dua sent the eligibility letter to call and restart the benefits. Is the extension going to commence or not?"
Add a Comment

Posted on 08/18/2008 at 10:08:37 AM

and tell all ya buddys at the border that they should turn around because this place sux so bad! what are you an idiot ?or just some poor me meat head that thinks the u.s. owes you something.i"m shore we got a bunker busta for ya. hu!hu!
Add a Comment

Posted on 08/13/2008 at 6:08:45 PM

I never said love it or leave it. There are better ways to deal with it than to complain about Bush. Everyone seems to think The President of the United States is a supreme being who controls everything in the world. He is one man, with a lot of bad ideas that had to go through congress. Nothing we can do to change what has happened any time soon. If you are going to hold him personally responsible, you also need to blame all of the millions of people who voted for him. You all destroyed the country!! This blog is supposed to be about unemployment by the way :)
Add a Comment

Posted on 08/12/2008 at 7:08:59 PM

Ah, the idiotic "love it or leave it" faction has been heard from. Congratulations on being part of the problem.
Add a Comment

Posted on 08/08/2008 at 5:08:37 PM

For your FYI everyone...the government actually makes money from giving unemployment at our expense. First off you have the huge premium of unemployment insurance. Secondly the recipients of unemployment must pay state and federal tax on it I found out! If that isn't the most bizarre, ironic thing then I don't know what is. So the government is making money when you benefits that the companies all pay for are released! Therefore the more people collecting unemployment - the better for Uncle Sam. So before you change your mind about Bush and believe he has a newly aquired sensitivity to the working American struggling to make ends meet, think about that.
Add a Comment

Posted on 08/07/2008 at 2:08:24 PM

If we got rid of the completely wasteful department of homeland security, eradicated the massive security camera deployment funded by the federal government in each in every city eventually, and stopped causing wars all over the world in an effort for mass domination and control we would not have the financial problems we have today one of the most serious being the devaluation of the dollar. The gvt. just keeps printing more and more of it with less value backing it up. Recipe for disaster. We trust a bunch of undereducated, low paid federal security officers with our most private and intimate information in the name of national security. Talk about naive and close minded! Trust me I have known many people for years and years who are now federal law enforcement and you would not trust any of them to have as much knowledge as your shoe size, let alone know your private interests and habits. Bush is not the problem by the way...he is just a puppet. It is the super-elite r
Add a Comment

Posted on 08/07/2008 at 2:08:34 PM

I don't understand why there are some die-hards who will say anything to protect Bush and consider anyone who speaks against this country as un-American. The problem is that the public in this country has no idea of what the truth is. So I can't blame those who are ignorant. Since most people get their information from Fox news or CNN their information is distorted by the major media forces who are all owned by a common group of people at the source. I bet no one knows that. All happen to be supporters of Israel it's no surprise. At the top this country is ruled by Israel, not but the people here. We were lied to about Iraq and are falling into the same exact trap again with Iran. Fool me once shame on you...fool me twice shame on me. Bush has destroyed our civil liberties and congress Dem and Rep alike have signed off on his big brother tactics. Of course it is for our safety and to "protect the children". Whatever. It will affect one of you or your family directly som
Add a Comment

Posted on 08/07/2008 at 2:08:20 PM

And if you don't like this country- get the f**k out! The whole world is screwed up, so good luck with finding a better place!
Add a Comment

Posted on 08/06/2008 at 9:08:13 AM

Well, I hope this extention kicks in soon so we can stop eating hot dogs. applied for emergency foodstamps 3 weeks ago and I'm too white and was born here, so I guess I'm out of luck! No offense to anyone out there but you all know it's true. I've applied for 25 jobs in the last 3 weeks and only one called me back. To the bozo below with his anti-Bush rant. It's his administration who approved the extended benefits, so what are you going to be saying when you get your check for 2 or 3 grand? Are you still going to be blaming him? He is only one man and everything has to go through congress. Gas prices are going down by the way. This is the 21st century you know. What did you think, gas was going to be 99 cents forever? Just accept it for what it is and deal with it like the rest of us. If you have to cut back on one thing you enjoy to pay for gas, just do it. It all evens out.
Add a Comment

Posted on 08/06/2008 at 9:08:11 AM

Comments 1 - 10 of 25 Next >>

Have more to say?
Become a Source on AC