Hawaii Unemployment Extension
There’s good news for those individuals that are unemployed in Hawaii and that have exhausted their unemployment benefits; a Hawaii unemployment extension is available. In a press release dated June 30, 2008, Joyce G Fogg from the Hawaii Employment Commission announced that President George Bush had signed into law the H.R. 2642, which gives eligible unemployed workers thirteen more weeks of emergency unemployment benefits; the emergency compensation started on July 6, 2008. The Hawaii unemployment extension is offered as a way for the unemployed to continue to meet financial obligations while they seek work.
A second press release issued in February of 2009 also announced that additional funding is being supplied to the state via the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. The stimulus funds supplied to the state are now being used to offer the unemployed that are receiving benefits an additional $25 each week beginning February 28. Additional Hawaii unemployment extension funds were also supplied which allows the Hawaii Employment Commission to supply additional emergency compensation funds to those that are eligible. The UI contacts eligible individuals by mail to let them know of their eligibility for a Hawaii unemployment extension.
If applying for Hawaii unemployment compensation for the first time, or for those individuals that would like to reopen a claim, unemployment claims can be processed electronically at:
http://hawaii.gov/labor/ui/
Claimants can also use the phone service supplied by the Hawaii Unemployment Commission