Temporary Extension of Unemployment Benefits: Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC08)

Summary

The Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC08) program was created by P.L. 110-252
and has been amended by P.L. 110-449. This new temporary unemployment insurance program
provides up to 20 additional weeks of unemployment benefits to certain workers who have
exhausted their rights to regular unemployment compensation (UC) benefits. A second tier of
benefits exists in states with a total unemployment rate of at least 6% and provides up to an
additional 13 weeks of EUC08 benefits (for a total of 33 weeks of EUC08 benefits.) The program
effectively began July 6, 2008, and will terminate on March 28, 2009. No EUC08 benefit will be
paid beyond the week ending August 29, 2009. As proposed by the House of Representatives, the
American Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Plan has proposal has an almost identical
provision. It is expected that the Senate stimulus proposal will also have a similar provision.

As proposed by the House of Representatives, the American Economic Recovery and
Reinvestment Plan contains a provision to extend the EUC08 program through the end of
CY2009.

This report will be updated to reflect current congressional action or programmatic changes.
Individuals should contact their state's unemployment agency to obtain information on how to
apply for and receive EUC08 benefits. The U.S. Department of Labor maintains a website with
links to each state's agency at http://www.workforcesecurity.doleta.gov/map.asp.