The average time an individual can receive unemployment benefits is 26 weeks. However, this may not be enough time to establish new employment in some cases, and unemployed individuals may find themselves wondering how to extend unemployment benefits.
- Learn About Requesting an Unemployment Benefits Extension in Iowa
- How to Get an Unemployment Extension
Unemployment benefits extensions are not available all the time like regular claims. The government may not offer extensions unless there is a high rate of unemployment in the state or country. You may need to file for an unemployment compensation extension if you have yet to find a suitable form of employment and suffered from an injury or disease or family crisis that has prevented you from taking on full-time employment.
Iowa Unemployment Resources
Learn About Requesting an Unemployment Benefits Extension in Iowa
The Extended Benefits program typically become available during times when the nation is experiencing high levels of unemployment. It adds an extra benefits period following your original benefit period. In the state of Iowa, federal unemployment extensions are required to last a minimum of 16 weeks once unemployment levels have hit the required quota.
In order to be eligible to receive Extended Benefits (EB), you must have already exhausted your regular benefits and have a proven need for an unemployment benefits extension. If you are eligible for an unemployment compensation extension, you could potentially receive an extra 50 percent added to your regular benefit entitlement.
If there is currently no unemployment compensation extension available, one may become available in the near future depending on the current economic climate.
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, but it expired in 2013. And in 2020, the federal government initiated the Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) program, which ended in 2021.
How to Get an Unemployment Extension
The application process for your unemployment extension is not too different from the process you went through when applying for your original benefits.
Here is a list of eligibility requirements that must be met in order to receive an unemployment extension:
- Have an active UI claim that ended on or after the first payable week of Extended Benefits
- Not penalized from separating from their last employment due to quitting a job, being discharged for misconduct in connection with work or refusing an offer of suitable work
- Be willing to seek and accept any suitable work
- Seek work and report a required number of work searches for each week claimed unless deferred
- Be registered and create an online resume within seven days of filing their initial claim
Remember, just like your original benefits claim, you must maintain eligibility in order to receive your federal unemployment extension. This is why it is important to continue submitting your bi-weekly claims and job applications throughout the process of filing for an extension.
Continue to keep any proof of job searches such as the name, email, and address of the business you have applied to along with the manner in which you submitted your application.
In the event that you have taken on a part-time or full-time job, you must immediately contact your unemployment benefits department to inform them of the change. Not providing this information can not only terminate your benefits but you can also be charged with fraud.
Last Updated: February 28, 2023