“What can I do to extend unemployment in Hawaii?” is likely a question on the minds of the numerous unemployed individuals of the state who are currently receiving benefits. Fortunately, there is a process to get an unemployment extension within the state and established guidelines regarding who is eligible to receive an unemployment extension.
- Learn About Requesting an Unemployment Benefits Extension in Hawaii
- Federal-State Extended Duration in Hawaii
- Past Emergency Unemployment Compensation in Hawaii
First off, unemployment benefits extensions are only available to those beneficiaries who meet the eligibility requirements. The state is experiencing a period of high unemployment is the first factor that determines whether or not you can receive a federal unemployment extension in Hawaii. If it is not, HI unemployment compensation extensions cannot be offered.
Hawaii Unemployment Resources
Learn About Requesting an Unemployment Benefits Extension in Hawaii
Unemployment benefits extension programs are 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. Unemployment extensions in Hawaii can be obtained by workers who have exhausted their regular unemployment insurance benefits.
The unemployment compensation extension program known as Extended Benefits, for example, allows for 13 additional weeks of benefits. Additionally, various states across the country have initiated a voluntary program that provides an additional seven weeks of extended benefits, totaling a maximum of 20 weeks.
In any case, HI unemployment extensions cannot be applied for on any given day. Only when unemployment benefits extension programs are active in Hawaii can you apply for extended benefits, and this will only occur during times of high statewide unemployment. However, during these times, the government will mail out notifications to those eligible candidates who will receive extended benefits.
To ensure that you are awarded all of the payments that you are eligible for, keep a log of the benefits you have received.
Note: Not everyone who qualifies for regular benefits qualifies for extended benefits. The weekly benefit amount that you will receive from the extended insurance program will be the same as the amount you received for your regular unemployment compensation.
Federal-State Extended Duration in Hawaii
Another unemployment benefits extension program is the Federal-State Extended Duration (FED-ED) program, also called Extended Benefits (EB). You can only qualify for EB unemployment compensation extensions if you have exhausted all of your regular unemployment benefits.
If you qualify for an EB unemployment extension, you will receive additional benefits in the amount of 20 weeks or 80 percent of your maximum benefit amount, whichever is less.
Remember that you cannot arbitrarily apply for an unemployment benefits extension in Hawaii, as these programs are only available during periods of high unemployment. If you are eligible for an unemployment extension, the government will notify you by mail.
Past Emergency Unemployment Compensation in Hawaii
There was a federal unemployment extension program that was formerly active called the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC08). This program expired in 2013. And in 2020, the federal government initiated the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program, but this is also expired.
Claimants normally do not apply for unemployment extensions in HI after their regular benefits are exhausted because the system automatically enrolls those who are eligible.
Last Updated: February 28, 2023