35,000 In Pa. May Get Extension Of Jobless Checks

HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP) — Thousands of Pennsylvania residents who have exhausted their unemployment compensation benefit may be able to get 20 more weeks of checks.

State officials said Tuesday that more than 35,000 people will receive a mailing about the benefit and instructions on how to file for it.

With the extension approved by Congress, Pennsylvania now offers up to 99 weeks of jobless benefits.

However, state officials say people who recently started receiving unemployment checks may not get the full 99 weeks because some of the federal benefit is expiring soon.

The state's maximum unemployment compensation payout, including $25 from the federal economic stimulus package, is $583 per week.

Since the national recession began in December 2007, Pennsylvania has lost more than 200,000 jobs, or about one in 28.