State Unemployment Benefits for 2009
Being unemployed has just gotten a little easier.
Unemployment benefits vary, depending on where you live, and range from a modest $133 per week in Puerto Rico to $628 a week in Massachusetts. But the passage of the massive federal stimulus package has resulted in an additional boost of $25 per week, or an extra $100 a month, for the unemployed. Combined with other unemployment benefits the stimulus package provides, the enhanced benefits should make a substantial difference. For example:
- Those who are out of work are now eligible to receive 20 extra weeks of unemployment benefits in all states, and another 13 weeks if you happen to live in a state with a higher unemployment rate.
- Previously, all unemployment income would be taxed as income. In 2009, you get to keep the first $2,400 of your unemployment income all to yourself, tax-free.
- Thanks to COBRA, workers can extend their health insurance coverage while they’re unemployed. Read more »
