• As millions exhaust their unemployment benefits, the federal government offers financial assistance.waiting lines image by Shannon Workman from Fotolia.com
  
  The Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2008 provides for the extension of weekly benefits to those who have exhausted benefits from their own state unemployment compensation program. The United States Congress extended this federal program in 2009 with a deadline of June 2, 2010 for receiving the extended benefits. However, on July 22, 2010, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 4213 that extends benefits through Nov. 30, 2010 for those who remain unemployed.
  
  

First Tier Benefits

• According to the GovTrack website, the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2008 changes an earlier formula calculating the amount a state credits to an unemployment recipient's emergency compensation account. It increases the formula figures used in calculating the total amount of extended benefits an individual may receive in a benefit year. Additionally, the weekly benefit amount is extended from 13 to 20 weeks after the individual's regular state unemployment has been exhausted.
  
  

Second Tier Benefits

• The unemployment extension law adds a "second-tier" period for which individuals can receive benefits through their EUCA (Emergency Unemployment Compensation Account). One requirement for receiving Tier 2 benefits is that an individual has exhausted the compensation due them under provisions of the first tier. The state in which the individual lives could also be in an extended benefit period. There is a formula for deciding whether a state is in an extended benefit period based on its unemployment rate, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities website. Tier 2 benefits may only be claimed for one 13-week period.
  
  

Additional Benefits

• The American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009 provided additional benefits to people currently receiving regular unemployment benefits from their own state. The stimulus package provision is called the Federal Additional Compensation (FAC) Program, which adds $25 of federal money to each week of unemployment benefits individuals receive from their state. The program for the additional $25 has now lapsed and was not included in the most recent benefit extension.
  
  

EUC Benefits Administered Through States

• Individuals who believe they are eligible for additional benefits through EUC should consult their state's unemployment websites for information on how to claim them because each state administers the program differently.