Jobless pay threatened

Notices went out last week to almost 25,000 Nevadans that their unemployment compensation will be cut off unless Congress acts this week to keep the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program funded.

“On Jan. 2, 2013, the EUC program will expire, unless Congress votes to extend the federal benefits as it has done in the past,” according to a prepared statement issued by the Nevada Employment Security Division. “As a result, about 25,000 Nevadans currently receiving EUC will be abruptly cut off and each week another 1,000 claimants who are receiving regular unemployment, (which allows for a maximum of 26 weeks), will exhaust their benefits and not be able to move to the EUC program. However, claimants should continue to file their weekly claims so that benefits can be paid as quickly as possible if Congress does vote in favor of extending the EUC program.”

Nevada unemployment is at 10.8 percent, which reflects only those out of work who are receiving jobless pay.