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Unemployment Benefits

January 7, 2009 - Some claimants who received unemployment benefits by direct deposit earlier this week may have incorrectly received two duplicate payments. Unemployment is aware of the issue and will notify each individual impacted by the problem. If you notice an extra direct deposit in your bank account, you do not need to take any action now, but you should not spend the over payment.

December 21, 2009 - President Obama has signed legislation to extend the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) and Extended Benefits (EB) programs to February 28, 2010. If you are currently receiving Emergency Unemployment Compensation, you do not need to call or apply for this extension. Click here for more information.

Unemployment Benefit Programs Currently in Effect in Maine
Regular Unemployment	Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC)			Extended Benefits (EB)	High Unemployment Extended Benefits (HEB)
	Tier I	Tier II	Tier III
Up to 26 weeks	Up to 20 weeks	Up to 14 weeks	Up to 13 weeks	Up to 13 weeks	Up to 7 weeks
Last Updated: February 8, 2010
The number of weeks identified above is a maximum.  Eligibility is determined based on each individual’s prior earnings. Federal legislation does provide for additional weeks of benefits in states with an unemployment rate of at least 8.5% average over the previous three months.  These weeks are paid through EUC Tier IV.  At this time, the State of Maine does not meet the 8.5% threshhold, and cannot pay benefits through this program. EUC and EB programs are effective through February 28, 2010.  To be eligible for EUC Tier I, Regular Unemployment benefits must be exhausted with the week ending February 20 or earlier.  To be eligible for Tier II, Tier III or EB, the previous Tier must be exhausted with the week ending February 27 or earlier.

What's New

• Information About November Unemployment Extension
  
• President Announces New Training Opportunity for Laid-off Workers - Unemployed workers receiving unemployment benefits may qualify for extra assistance in paying for education and training.
• Call volumes at Unemployment Claims Center are very high - File for Benefits or Look-up Claim Information Online
• Information on Extra Weeks of Unemployment Benefits (Emergency Unemployment Compensation and Extended Benefits)
• Unemployment Payments Increase by $25 a Week
• Temporary Tax Exemption for Unemployment Benefits (2009 Tax Year Only)
• Income Tax information (1099G) for workers who received unemployment in 2008

Information and Resources

• Overview of the Unemployment Insurance Program
• Laws and Rules Governing Unemployment Benefits
• Other Special Programs for Laid-off Workers

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Featured Links

• How to Claim Benefits
• File a New or Weekly Unemployment Claim Online
• Look Up Information AboutUnemployment Claim
• Unemployment Appeals

INFORMATION & RESOURCES

• Frequently Asked Questions
• Publications and Forms
• Contact Information
• Direct Deposit of Unemployment Benefits
• Unemployment Extensions
• Report Unemployment Fraud

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Other Resources for Laid-off Workers

• Find a New Job
• Search for Jobs on the CareerCenter Job Bank
• CareerCenter Services for Jobseekers
• Transitions Guide for Laid-off Workers
• Maine Benefits Checklist
• Information on Health Care Options
• Free or Low Cost Legal Services

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