Eligibility For High Unemployment Period Extended Unemployment Insurance Benefits Ending

Dec. 1, 2020
No. 20-42

JUNEAU, Alaska — Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development Commissioner Dr. Tamika L. Ledbetter announced today that the additional benefits for the High Unemployment Period (HUP) are no longer payable after the week ending Dec. 12, 2020.

Alaska’s unemployment rate controls when additional HUP benefits are available, and the U.S. Department of Labor has determined Alaska’s current unemployment rate does not meet the eligibility requirements for these additional weeks of benefits. The Division of Employment and Training Services, which administers Alaska’s Unemployment Insurance program, will notify impacted unemployed workers by mail.

Individuals with remaining balances of HUP may continue to file until their benefits are exhausted or until the end date of Dec. 12, 2020, whichever comes first. Unemployed workers who have exhausted their regular benefits and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) benefits may still file for Extended Benefits (EB) or file for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) if found to be ineligible for all other UI benefit programs.

Individuals wishing to apply for EB or those who have questions regarding their eligibility should contact their nearest Unemployment Insurance Claim Center listed below:

For UI/PEUC/EB:
Anchorage: (907) 269-4700
Fairbanks: (907) 451-2871
Juneau: (907) 465-5552
All other areas: (888) 252-2557

For PUA:
All areas: (907) 465-4691

If you are out of work or interested in exploring new career opportunities and/or training, please contact the Alaska Job Center Network at (877) 724-2539. The Department of Labor and Workforce Development collaborates with multiple partner agencies to provide universal access to a full range of employment and training services.

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