Massachusetts Unemployment Extension

If your Massachusetts unemployment benefits have run out you may be eligible to receive extended unemployment benefits through one of the state or federal unemployment extension programs.

This federal unemployment extension programs is called Emergency Unemployment Compensation, 2008 (Also known as EUC08).

Emergency Unemployment Compensation, 2008 (EUC08) includes 4 stages, or tiers. Each tier has a different maximum time period for which your unemployment extension will last:

Tier 1 EUC08: 20 week maximum unemployment extension.
Tier 2 EUC08: 14 week maximum unemployment extension.
Tier 3 EUC08: 13 week maximum unemployment extension.
Tier 4 EUC08: 6 week maximum unemployment extension.

If you use up all of your regular unemployment benefits, normally you don't have to apply for an unemployment extension because the system automatically applies for you, if you are eligible. It is very important that you keep track of your benefits to make sure you receive your unemployment extension if you are eligible.

If you get close to your unemployment benefits running out, give your unemployment counselor a call to check to see what you have to do in order to get they unemployment extension.

There is another type of unemployment extension called Federal-State Extended Duration (FED-ED), more commonly referred to as Extended Benefits (EB). You will only qualify for the EB unemployment extension if you have used up all of your regular unemployment benefits and also used up all of your EUC08 unemployment extension.

If you qualify for the EB unemployment extension you will receive additional benefits equal to 20 weeks or 80% of the maximum benefit amount on the original unemployment claim, whichever amount is less.