Unemployment benefits in Tennessee typically last a maximum of 26 weeks. In some cases, an applicant may need more time and want to file for an unemployment benefits extension.
Usually, these extensions are only available when the state of Tennessee reaches a peak level of unemployment.
To receive an unemployment extension, applicants must go through a claim process similar to the one they experienced with their original unemployment benefits package. Once approved, the unemployment compensation extension will be granted for a determined period of time.
If you are wondering how to extend unemployment in TN, we’ve provided helpful information below.
- Learn About Requesting an Unemployment Benefits Extension in Tennessee
- How to Get an Unemployment Extension in Tennessee
- Past Federal Unemployment Benefits Extensions
Tennessee Unemployment Resources
Learn About Requesting an Unemployment Benefits Extension in Tennessee
Unemployment benefit extensions in Tennessee are not currently available. In cases of particularly high unemployment rates across the country, the government can vote to make extensions available.
Once unemployment has reached the peak required percentage, an unemployment compensation extension will typically be made available for those who need it. One of the most traditionally granted federal unemployment extensions is known as Extended Benefits, or EB.
When Extended Benefits are available, they are only given to unemployment recipients who have already exhausted their original unemployment benefits and are in need of an unemployment benefits extension. If an applicant is eligible to receive an unemployment compensation extension, he or she can potentially receive an extra 50 percent of the regular benefit entitlement.
How to Get an Unemployment Extension in Tennessee
As stated above, federal unemployment extensions are not currently available and will not be available unless the state reaches peak unemployment rates and the government approves of it.
However, when the extensions are made available, it’s important that the applicant meets the required qualifications. The qualifications for an extension are similar to those found during the original claim process.
In order to qualify for a federal unemployment extension, an applicant must:
- Have an active UI claim that ended on or after the first payable week of Extended Benefits.
- Not be penalized for separating from his or her last place of 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. In the state of TN, suitable work is defined as any work in which an applicant has experience or training and can both physically and mentally perform.
- Seek work and report a required number of work searches for each week claimed unless deferred.
- Be registered and create an online resume in the system within seven days of filing his or her initial claim.
It’s important to keep in mind that while applying for a federal unemployment extension, an applicant must maintain his or her eligibility in the same manner required of the original claim.
It is required that the recipient continues to submit his or her bi-weekly claims, either over the phone or online.
All applicants must also continue an active job search and must continue to keep a record of sent applications for every job applied to, such as the contact’s name, email, phone number and address.
If a job has been offered, it is required by state law that the claimant accepts the job. In the event that part-time work is offered, the applicant still has the potential to claim part-time unemployment benefits.
It is also incredibly important that all applicants practice transparency throughout the process of applying for an unemployment benefits extension. If part-time or full-time work is accepted and the unemployment council is not informed of this change, it will be viewed as fraud and an attempt to knowingly continue to collect insurance benefits.
Past Federal Unemployment Benefits Extensions
Oftentimes, when unemployment benefit extensions have been granted in Tennessee, a secondary extension option will be made available by the Senate.
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.
Last Updated: October 17, 2022