Governor Announces $25 Weekly Increase in Unemployment Benefits

Press Release

Governor Announces $25 Weekly Increase in Unemployment Benefits

Governor Mitch Daniels announced today that eligible Hoosiers who are collecting unemployment insurance will receive a $25 increase in their weekly benefits.

The $25 weekly increase is part of the just enacted federal stimulus legislation. The increased benefit could extend through the end of 2009. States that participate in the program with the U.S. Department of Labor will be reimbursed for its cost. For Indiana, that could be as much as $185 million.

"We filed immediately so as not to lose a day getting more money to those who have lost jobs," said Daniels. "Indiana will be one of the first states in the nation to act on this opportunity."

Eligible Hoosiers will start accruing the benefit increase when they file their weekly unemployment voucher beginning Sunday, February 22. Increased benefits will be paid with two $25 deposits for eligible recipients beginning Monday, March 2 and then $25 weekly thereafter.

The increased benefit will apply to all eligible Hoosiers collecting state or federal unemployment benefits. The average weekly benefit for Hoosiers collecting unemployment insurance is $290; the maximum benefit is $390 per week.

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