State Launches Effort to Notify Long-term Unemployed About Final Payments, Safety Net Resources

Boston, MA –The Executive Office of Labor and Workforce (EOLWD) has launched an effort to notify long-term unemployed residents who have exhausted their unemployment benefits about state resources and safety net services that can assist them during these challenging economic times.

In July, Governor Patrick and the Legislature successfully moved to prevent approximately 85,000 claimants from losing their unemployment benefits. Many of these individuals will continue to receive additional payments. In some cases, individuals who are cycling off their benefits made claims for a maximum of 79 weeks.

”We have been working to identify state and non-profit resources for people exhausting benefits and included helpful information in letters to the public,” said Suzanne Bump, Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development. “Staff at our One Stop Career Centers have always provided invaluable guidance and assistance to people who run out of benefits, and we encourage the public to continue to use the Centers as a resource while they seek work.“

Officials estimate that 21,000 Massachusetts residents will exhaust their benefits by Thanksgiving. About 2,500 will have cycled off unemployment by the end of this week. Nationwide, about 400,000 will receive their final checks in the next couple of months. These numbers are approximate as employment in any given week will impact a claimant’s eligibility.

The Patrick-Murray Administration has worked proactively across state agencies to help individuals exhausting claims. Those losing benefits are receiving letters with listings of contact information for housing services, food and nutritional assistance, health care, child care services, and more. The letter has been translated into nine languages and it directs individuals to websites that are especially helpful, such as www.mass.gov and www.projectbread.org, as well as the United Way “Mass 2-1-1- Call Center,” a 24-7 information and referral service.

EOLWD’s Division of Unemployment Assistance (DUA) has worked closely with departments within the Executive Office of Health and Human Services (EOHHS). DUA also briefed the 37 One Stop Career Centers around the state, preparing them to answer inquiries and offer information about services that could be useful to individuals and families losing benefits.

Claimants can log on at www.mass.gov/dua/webcert, and click on ‘check the status of your claim’, to check balances and the date of their most recent payment. If someone who has exhausted benefits has any questions about unemployment insurance, they can call 1-877-626-6800.

If additional benefits become available, individuals who have exhausted benefits will receive notification and instructions from the EOWLD’s Division of Unemployment Assistance.