New rules passed under last year’s Unemployment Reduction Act came into effect this month.
New rules passed under last year’s Unemployment Reduction Act came into effect this month, lowering the maximum allowed benefits from 26 weeks to between 14 and 20 weeks, depending on the state’s unemployment rate.
Under the new rules, if the state’s annually-adjusted unemployment rate is 6.5 percent or below, the maximum number of weeks for unemployment benefits will be 14. For every 0.5 percent increase over 6.5 percent, an additional week of benefits is added with an overall maximum of 20 weeks possible.
Additionally, the maximum benefit amount increased from $265 to $275 per week.
Job-seekers can extend benefits for up to five more weeks if they enroll in an Alabama Department of Labor-approved training program. Approved training includes GED classes, Alabama Career Center System training, college or graduate education, and vocational trade certification programs.
