If you are currently receiving unemployment benefits in the State of Georgia, you may be in need of additional assistance after your current benefits run out. If so, you could be eligible to receive extended benefits under an expanded version of the program. This page will cover how to file for Georgia Extended Unemployment Benefits.

On July 22, 2010, the EUC program was extended again. This new extension allows claimants who have not received the full 99 weeks of available benefits to continue claiming benefits through the end of November 2010. Workers who have already received 99 weeks of benefits will not be able to claim further compensation under this extension.http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2010/07/congress-approves-unemployment-extension/1 Those who lost their benefits at the end of May 2010 will be able to receive payment retroactive to that date. The Georgia Department of Labor will contact those who are eligible for back payments.http://www.dol.state.ga.us/spotlight/sp_ext_benefits_programs_available.htm

The Worker Assistance Act of 2009 passed in November 2009 allows for extended unemployment benefits under the Emergency Unemployment Compensation program, or EUC. These benefits are available in four levels, or tiers, and can provide additional compensation for up to a year or more.http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/fact-sheet-worker-homeownership-and-business-assistance-act-2009

First Tier Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) can provide up to 20 weeks of additional benefits. If you need assistance after this first extension, and you meet qualifications you can apply for Second Tier EUC, which extended benefits up to another 14 weeks. After this assistance runs out, Third Tier EUC may offer an additional 13 weeks of compensation. Fourth Tier EUC is available in Georgia because of the increased unemployment rate to individuals who need a fourth extension and can supply up to 6 weeks of added benefits.http://www.dol.state.ga.us/spotlight/sp_ext_benefits_programs_available.htm

For those who need still more assistance, State Extended Benefits, or SEB, are available. This state unemployment assistance can offer up to 20 weeks of additional compensation, but can only be applied for after the other four programs have been exhausted.http://www.dol.state.ga.us/spotlight/sp_seb_claim_info.htm

The process of filing for unemployment in Georgia has been greatly simplified with the use of online applications and a self-entry application process at Department of Labor Career Centers. After you determine whether you qualify to apply and then gather the needed information, you can easily and quickly file for benefits. If you need to apply for initial unemployment benefits, see the related page How to File for Unemployment in Georgia for the necessary procedure.

The first step to filing for Extended Unemployment Benefits in Georgia is to see if you will qualify. The Georgia Department of Labor discloses the necessary qualifications to apply for Extended Unemployment Benefits on its websitehttp://www.dol.state.ga.us/spotlight/sp_ext_benefits_programs_available.htm. To be eligible for extended benefits, you must meet the following criteria:

1. You must currently be unemployed.
2. You must not be eligible to establish a new claim for unemployment benefits in any U.S. state or Canada.
3. You must qualify for and have exhausted regular unemployment compensation.

If you meet all of these standards, then, depending on your circumstances, you can apply for First Tier, Second Tier, Third Tier or Fourth Tier Emergency Unemployment Compensation, which can provide up to four benefit extensions.

If these programs run out and you are still in need of unemployment assistance, you can receive a fifth unemployment benefit extension by applying for State Extended Benefits (SEB). This program extends an additional 20 weeks of compensation after all four tiers of Emergency Unemployment Compensation have been exhausted.http://www.dol.state.ga.us/spotlight/sp_seb_claim_info.htm To be eligible for the State Extended Benefits program, however, you must demonstrate that you are actively searching for workhttp://www.dol.state.ga.us/spotlight/sp_seb_eligibility_requirements.htm. To serve as proof, you will have to submit a weekly work search record, which can be done online.https://www.dol.state.ga.us/Access/Service/SebWorkSearch?linkAction=entry.

Before filing for extended unemployment benefits, you will need to gather all the necessary information to submit a complete application. This will help to simplify your application process. To apply for Extended Unemployment Compensation (EUC) or State Extended Benefits (SEB) in Georgia, you will need to provide your social security number and mailing address. Depending on your personal circumstances, you may also need the following information:

1. If you are not a United States citizen, you will need your U.S. alien card number and expiration date.
2. If you wish to have your compensation directly deposited instead of issued as a check, you will need to provide your bank's name and routing number, along with your personal account number. If you will be having your benefits deposited into your checking account, you can obtain this information from the bottom of your checks. If you will be using a savings account to receive your compensation, you can contact your bank for the necessary information.
3. If you have worked since receiving your most recent unemployment benefits, you will need to give your employer's name, address and phone number. You will also have to provide your dates of employment, information about your job separation, and the amount of your total earnings with that employer.

If you are eligible to apply for extended benefits, you will need to complete the Application for Extended Unemployment Benefits. You can obtain this form from your local Department of Labor Career Center.http://www.dol.state.ga.us/find_career_centers.htm If you have access to a computer printer, you can download your application from the Georgia Department of Labor (DOL) website and complete it at home.http://www.dol.state.ga.us/pdf/forms/doleeuc1.pdf

On the DOL website, you also have the option to fill out and submit your application electronically.https://www.dol.state.ga.us/WS4-MW5/cics.jsp?TRANSID=ECI1&FRMNAME=ECI1S State Extended Benefits (SEB) can only be applied for via the DOL website.https://www.dol.state.ga.us/WS4-MW5/cics.jsp?TRANSID=ECS1&FRMNAME=ECS1A To apply online for either benefits program, you will need to enter your DOL Career Center Personal Identification Number (PIN). If you have misplaced or forgotten your PIN, you can contact your local Career Center to receive a new one.

If you choose to apply online, be sure to use the Exit and Save button before leaving the site. This will both save your personal information on the Department of Labor's system and remove it from your computer to prevent unauthorized users from viewing it.

If you will be applying in person at your local Career Center, you may do so Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. At the Career Centers, applications are entered through a PC-based self-entry system.http://www.dol.state.ga.us/cc_services.htm Remember: if you are applying for SEB benefits, you can only do so through the DOL website portal.http://www.dol.state.ga.us/spotlight/sp_ext_benefits_programs_available.htm

The content in this page is not a substitute for professional financial advice. Please contact your financial adviser before using the information presented here.