Notice of a Change in Status of an Extended Benefit (EB) Period for Alaska

AGENCY:

Employment and Training Administration, Labor.

ACTION:

Notice.

SUMMARY:

This notice announces a change in benefit period eligibility under the EB Program for Alaska.

The following change has occurred since the publication of the last notice regarding the State's EB status:

• As of January 10, 2009, Alaska has completed a mandatory 13-week “off” trigger period. Based on data reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on December 19, 2008, Alaska's 3-month seasonally adjusted total unemployment rate was 7.1 percent and equals or exceeds 110 percent of the corresponding rate in both prior years. This causes Alaska to be triggered “on” to an EB period beginning January 25, 2009.

Information for Claimants

The duration of benefits payable in the EB Program, and the terms and conditions on which they are payable, are governed by the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970, as amended, and the operating instructions issued to the states by the U.S. Department of Labor. In the case of a state beginning an EB period, the State Workforce Agency will furnish a written notice of potential entitlement to each individual who has exhausted all rights to regular benefits and is potentially eligible for EB (20 CFR 615.13(c)(1)).

Persons who believe they may be entitled to EB, or who wish to inquire about their rights under the program, should contact their State Workforce Agency.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Scott Gibbons, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Office of Workforce Security, 200 Constitution Avenue, NW., Frances Perkins Bldg. Room S-4231, Washington, DC 20210, telephone number (202) 693-3008 (this is not a toll-free number) or by e-mail: gibbons.scott@dol.gov.