List of States Extending Unemployment Benefits – 2020
You may qualify for extended benefits after your regular unemployment benefits expire. The federal government has rolled out programs to help those who have lost their jobs or are temporarily out of work due to COVID-19. In this post, we will provide you a full list of all the states extending unemployment benefits and for how long.
In addition, we will answer questions about the extra $600 unemployment benefits.
Finally, we will explain in detail the new $300 in payments authorized by the President under the Lost Wages Assistance program.
This post will cover:
What is Extended Unemployment Benefits?
Am I Eligible for Extended Unemployment Benefits?
What extended Unemployment Benefits are Available?
How do I file for Extended Unemployment Benefits?
List of States Extending Unemployment Benefits
Other COVID-19 Federal Unemployment Benefit Programs
What is Extended Unemployment Insurance Benefits?
Most states pay unemployment benefits for 26 weeks (a few pay for only 20 weeks and a few pay for up to 30 weeks).
As part of legislation passed by Congress to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic (CARES Act), all states are currently able to provide extended benefits.
This means that you can continue receiving unemployment insurance payments beyond your state’s regular payment period.
However, extension duration varies by state.
Am I Eligible for Extended Unemployment Benefits?
You may be eligible for extended unemployment benefits after you exhaust other unemployment insurance benefits
This does not include Disaster Unemployment Assistance or Trade Readjustment Allowances).
However, not everyone who qualified for regular benefits qualifies for Extended Benefits.
Your state’s Unemployment agency will advise you of your eligibility for Extended Benefits.
What extended Unemployment Benefits are Available?
Here’s what Congress authorized under the CARES act for unemployment benefit extensions:
- Those receiving unemployment benefits that have exhausted their regular state benefits can get extended benefits for an additional 13 weeks under the federal Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC).
- For people in states with high unemployment, PEUC can offer up to an additional 13 or 20 weeks of benefits.
In most states, you will automatically receive the above-extended benefits if you are eligible.
However, if you have exhausted all of the PEUC extended benefits available in your state, you may be eligible for more weeks of benefits under the federal Pandemic Unemployment Assistance.
In most states, you will automatically receive extended PUA benefits if you are eligible, but you should visit your state’s unemployment insurance website to learn more.
How do I file for Extended Unemployment Benefits?
Generally, when a State begins an Extended Unemployment Benefits, it notifies those who have received all of their regular benefits that they may be eligible for Extended Benefits.
However, if you have not been notified by your state of extended benefits and you think you may qualify, contact your state’s unemployment agency.
Click here to contact the unemployment agency in your state.
List of States Extending Unemployment Benefits
Below is the list of states that are extending unemployment benefits beyond their regular period.
With each state, we provide how many weeks the regular unemployment payment is. We then give you how many weeks of extended payments are available (if applicable)
Alabama
Regular Unemployment Insurance: 14 weeks
Extended Benefits Available: 7 weeks
Alaska
Regular Unemployment Insurance: 26 weeks
Extended Benefits Available: 20 weeks
Arizona
Regular Unemployment Insurance: 26 weeks
Extended Benefits Available: 13 weeks
Arkansas
Regular Unemployment Insurance: 20 weeks
Extended Benefits Available: 10 weeks
California
Regular Unemployment Insurance: 26 weeks
Extended Benefits Available: 20 weeks
Colorado
Regular Unemployment Insurance: 26 weeks
Extended Benefits Available: 13 weeks
Connecticut
Regular Unemployment Insurance: 26 weeks
Extended Benefits Available: 13 weeks
Delaware
Regular Unemployment Insurance: 26 weeks
Extended Benefits Available: 13 weeks
District of Columbia
Regular Unemployment Insurance: 26 weeks
Extended Benefits Available: 13 weeks
Florida
Regular Unemployment Insurance: 12 weeks
Extended Benefits Available: 6 weeks
Georgia
Regular Unemployment Insurance: 26 weeks
Extended Benefits Available: 20 weeks
Hawaii
Regular Unemployment Insurance: 26 weeks
Extended Benefits Available: 13 weeks
Idaho
Regular Unemployment Insurance: 26 weeks
Extended Benefits Available: 13 weeks
Illinois
Regular Unemployment Insurance: 26 weeks
Extended Benefits Available: 20 weeks
Indiana
Regular Unemployment Insurance: 26 weeks
Extended Benefits Available: 13 weeks
Iowa
Regular Unemployment Insurance: 26 weeks
Extended Benefits Available: 13 weeks
Kansas
Regular Unemployment Insurance: 26 weeks
Extended Benefits Available: 20 weeks
Kentucky
Regular Unemployment Insurance: 26 weeks
Extended Benefits Available: 20 weeks
Louisiana
Regular Unemployment Insurance: 26 weeks
Extended Benefits Available: 13 weeks
Maine
Regular Unemployment Insurance: 26 weeks
Extended Benefits Available: 13 weeks
Maryland
Regular Unemployment Insurance: 26 weeks
Extended Benefits Available: 13 weeks
Massachusetts
Regular Unemployment Insurance: 26 weeks
Extended Benefits Available: 13 weeks
Michigan
Regular Unemployment Insurance: 26 weeks
Extended Benefits Available: 13 weeks
Minnesota
Regular Unemployment Insurance: 26 weeks
Extended Benefits Available: 13 weeks
Mississippi
Regular Unemployment Insurance: 26 weeks
Extended Benefits Available: 13 weeks
Missouri
Regular Unemployment Insurance: 20 weeks
Extended Benefits Available: 10 weeks
Montana
Regular Unemployment Insurance: 28 weeks
Extended Benefits Available: 13 weeks
Nebraska
Regular Unemployment Insurance: 26 weeks
Extended Benefits Available: 13 weeks
Nevada
Regular Unemployment Insurance: 26 weeks
Extended Benefits Available: 13 weeks
New Hampshire
Regular Unemployment Insurance: 26 weeks
Extended Benefits Available: 20 weeks
New Jersey
Regular Unemployment Insurance: 26 weeks
Extended Benefits Available: 20 weeks
New Mexico
Regular Unemployment Insurance: 26 weeks
Extended Benefits Available: 13 weeks
New York
Regular Unemployment Insurance: 26 weeks
Extended Benefits Available: 20 weeks
North Carolina
Regular Unemployment Insurance: 12 weeks
Extended Benefits Available: 9.6 weeks
North Dakota
Regular Unemployment Insurance: 26 weeks
Extended Benefits Available: 13 weeks
Ohio
Regular Unemployment Insurance: 26 weeks
Extended Benefits Available: 20 weeks
Oklahoma
Regular Unemployment Insurance: 26 weeks
Extended Benefits Available: 13 weeks
Oregon
Regular Unemployment Insurance: 26 weeks
Extended Benefits Available: 20 weeks
Pennsylvania
Regular Unemployment Insurance: 26 weeks
Extended Benefits Available: 13 weeks
Puerto Rico
Regular Unemployment Insurance: 26 weeks
Extended Benefits Available: 13 weeks
Rhode Island
Regular Unemployment Insurance: 26 weeks
Extended Benefits Available: 20 weeks
South Carolina
Regular Unemployment Insurance: 20 weeks
Extended Benefits Available: 16 weeks
South Dakota
Regular Unemployment Insurance: 26 weeks
Extended Benefits Available: 0 weeks
Tennessee
Regular Unemployment Insurance: 26 weeks
Extended Benefits Available: 13 weeks
Texas
Regular Unemployment Insurance: 26 weeks
Extended Benefits Available: 20 weeks
Utah
Regular Unemployment Insurance: 26 weeks
Extended Benefits Available: 13 weeks
Vermont
Regular Unemployment Insurance: 26 weeks
Extended Benefits Available: 20 weeks
Virginia
Regular Unemployment Insurance: 26 weeks
Extended Benefits Available: 13 weeks
Washington
Regular Unemployment Insurance: 26 weeks
Extended Benefits Available: 20 weeks
West Virginia
Regular Unemployment Insurance: 26 weeks
Extended Benefits Available: 13 weeks
Wisconsin
Regular Unemployment Insurance: 26 weeks
Extended Benefits Available: 13 weeks
Wyoming
Regular Unemployment Insurance: 26 weeks
Extended Benefits Available: 13 weeks
Other COVID-19 Federal Unemployment Benefit Programs
In addition to extended unemployment benefits, the federal government has implemented other programs to help ease the economic burdens on workers who have lost their jobs due to the pandemic.
We have detailed the programs below:
Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC)
The Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program was the first federal CARES Act program to be implemented during COVID-19.
FPUC provides an additional $600 per week to eligible claimants, in addition to their weekly unemployment benefits amount.
The FPUC program ended on July 31, 2020, and Congress is yet to decide if it will be renewed.
Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA)
PUA is unemployment assistance for the self-employed, contractor, gig worker, those who file a 1099.
Essentially, the program is for individuals who are ineligible for any other state or federal unemployment benefits and who are unemployed, unable to work, or unavailable to work as a direct result of COVID-19.
PUA Payments
PUA payments vary by state. Contact your state’s unemployment agency for details.
Click here to contact the unemployment agency in your state.
Duration of PUA program
First Payable Week: Retroactive to claim week ending February 8, 2020
Last Payable Week: Claim Week Ending December 26, 2020
Lost Wages Assistance (LWA)
Once implemented, the Lost Wages Assistance Program will provide $300 per week, in addition to a claimant’s weekly benefit amount.
The presidential memorandum outlines that an “eligible claimant” is:
- someone who is eligible to receive $100 in either state or federal weekly benefit amount,
- or someone who completes the weekly certification process
- and someone who is unemployed as a continued result of COVID-19.
States approved for Lost Wages Assistance initially receive funding to cover three weeks of benefits.
However, unlike the CARES Act programs, the LWA program has a funding cap, which means once the allocated funding is exhausted, current or retroactive payments will no longer be available.
In addition, the program is approved through December 26, 2020.
However, the program can end if:
- the federal Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) drops to $25 billion dollars
- or if additional legislation is passed by Congress to provide similar compensation for unemployed individuals.
LWA Payments
Payment Amount: $300.
States approved for Lost Wages Assistance initially receive funding to cover three weeks of benefits.
First Payable Week: Retroactive to the weeks of unemployment ending August 1, August 8, and August 15.
Current and retroactive payments can only be paid while federal funding is available in the DRF.
Is Unemployment Taxable Summary
We hope this post on List of States Extending Unemployment Benefits was helpful.
If you have further questions about Unemployment Benefits, please let us know in the comments section below.
Be sure to check out our other articles on Unemployment Benefits, including Monthly Unemployment Rates for all 50 States and Whether Unemployment Benefits are Taxable.