Governor Rell Applauds Extension of

Federal Unemployment Benefits

            Governor M. Jodi Rell today hailed the passage of the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2008, which extends federal unemployment compensation for people whose benefits have expired.

            The Act provides seven more weeks of unemployment insurance benefits in many cases, but in states – including Connecticut – where the unemployment rate is above 6 percent, the Act provides an additional 13 weeks of extended benefits.

            Connecticut’s unemployment rate for October, announced today, was 6.5 percent – the same as the national rate. That is up from 6.1 percent in September. The state has been hit hard by the sharp decline in the insurance and financial services (IFS) industry, which has shed 1,600 jobs since July.

            “This much-needed, temporary boost in benefits will provide help to the breadwinners in Connecticut families who are looking for work in a very difficult economy,” Governor Rell said. “The downturn on Wall Street has been especially difficult for Connecticut, which has such close ties not only to the markets themselves but to related businesses.

            “My Administration has taken a wide range of steps to assist the employers and employees of Connecticut and shore up our vital IFS industry,” the Governor said. “This federal action dovetails neatly with the state efforts to provide a safety net for families caught up in a period of uncertainty and upheaval.”

            Governor Rell said she has directed the state Department of Labor to take any steps necessary to expedite the process of approving and distributing the extended benefits.