“What can I do to extend unemployment in Delaware” will undoubtedly be a question on the mind of anyone currently enrolled in the DE unemployment compensation program. Simply put, beneficiaries ask after possible unemployment extensions because sometimes finding a job quickly can prove too difficult.
However, there are guidelines for federal unemployment extensions in Delaware, and benefits cannot simply be requested on any given day. As a general rule, federal unemployment extension programs are only available during periods of high unemployment.
For those wanting to learn more about unemployment benefits extensions in DE and get an answer to the question, “How can I extend unemployment after my standard benefits have been exhausted?” please continue to read the sections below.
- Learn About Requesting an Unemployment Benefits Extension in Delaware
- Unemployment Extension Programs in Delaware
Delaware Unemployment Resources
Learn About Requesting an Unemployment Benefits Extension in Delaware
The United States Congress can vote to activate unemployment extension programs during times when the unemployment rate reaches great heights. Unemployment benefits extension programs may be available through both the state and federal governments during periods of high unemployment, providing a higher level of economic security to those who are out of work by allowing them to receive UI benefits for additional weeks.
Extended benefits can be obtained by workers who have exhausted their regular unemployment insurance benefits. The basic Extended Benefits program allows for 13 additional weeks of benefits if a state is experiencing a period of high unemployment. Some states have also initiated a voluntary program to pay an additional seven weeks of extended benefits, totaling a maximum of 20 weeks.
Unemployment compensation extensions are not available for everyone. Namely, not every beneficiary who qualifies for regular benefits qualifies for extended benefits. The weekly benefit amount of extended benefits is the same as the amount the recipient receives for regular unemployment compensation.
Furthermore, it is critical to note that you cannot just apply for extended benefits on any given day. An unemployment benefits extension can only be obtained when Delaware is experiencing very high rates of unemployment and the government decides to activate an extended benefits period.
It is only during these times that the state/federal government will activate these extended benefit programs, and they will mail out notifications to the eligible candidates who have been pre-approved to receive extended benefits.
In any case, keep your own log of the benefits you received to ensure that you are awarded all the payments for which you are eligible.
Unemployment Extension Programs in Delaware
Another unemployment extension program is the Federal-State Extended Duration (FED-ED), which is also called Extended Benefits (EB). You can only qualify for an EB unemployment benefits extension in DE if you have exhausted all of your regular unemployment benefits.
If you qualify for an EB unemployment compensation extension, you will receive additional benefits in the amount of 20 weeks or 80 percent of the maximum benefit amount of your original unemployment claim, whichever amount is less.
The government will notify you by mail if you are eligible to receive benefits from the EB program. However, you will only be able to qualify for extended benefits in either program during times of high state unemployment.
At times, the federal or state governments establish an unemployment benefits extension program. For instance, the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program temporarily gave qualified workers additional weeks of unemployment payment in 2008. And in 2020, the federal government initiated the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program. However, both of these programs have expired.
Last Updated: February 28, 2023