The new law allows jobless workers to receive unemployment benefits under the extended benefit (EB) program for an additional seven weeks. This will lengthen the maximum period of qualification for unemployment benefits from 72 weeks to 79 weeks.
"It's a sad sign of the times that this is necessary," Granholm said. "People are hurting. People are losing jobs every day. This is a small step that we can take to help working families in Michigan."
About 3,000 jobless Michigan workers are currently receiving aid under the EB program. But as emergency unemployment compensation (EUC) funds are exhausted, many more workers are expected to file for EB support, which will skyrocket the number receiving those benefits to 70,000 by the end of April. That number is expected to reach 200,000 by the end of the year.
The extension of the EB program will be funded by the federal Recovery Act.
Granholm also mentioned that she will apply for a federal waver to grant benefits to people not actively seeking employment because of enrollment in trade schools.
"I'm working twenty-four-seven to bring jobs to Michigan in homeland security, alternative energy, and advanced manufacturing," Granholm said. "There is great potential in this state, but recovery will take time."
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