Am I eligible for unemployment benefits?

How do I know if I will be eligible for the unemployment extension of benefits?

• I lost my job at the end of September, my first benefits check was mid-October. The normal 26 weeks should take me through March. But, I have filled out applications, I have sent resumes and nothing. I know that December is not going to be good because people are not going to hire during the holidays and it's the end of the year. But I am starting to panic! When I read the info. on the unemployment website it doesn't really give a clear understanding. It just says when things expire from previous extensions but none apply to me because it goes by when you exhaust your regular benefits. I do not intend to stop my job search, but knowing that March is not the end of the world as I know it will take a little stress off me. I do not want to call unemployment because then that red-flags your account that you may be looking to stay on benefits vs. find a job and then that opens up a whole new can of "worms".

• Answer:

  I am not sure what state you are in but the unemployment benefits have been extended twice already. My friend has been laid off for 16 months and still gets it. He had his normal 26 weeks then they extended to another 26 weeks and the state had a extension on top of that. The federal government has now got a 20 week extension going. I really suggest you call them right now they will not say anything way to many people have been out of work for a long time.