Thousands Of Tennessee Residents Cannot Certify For Weekly Unemployment Insurance Benefits - Other States, Same Issue

This is a brief statement from the Tennessee Department of Labor/WFD:

Last week, the United States Senate adjourned without passing legislation to extend the expiration date for the EUC, FAC and EB provisions beyond June 2, 2010.  Congress is scheduled to return the week of June 7, 2010 and it is expected that the Senate will take up the House-passed version of HR 4213 at that time.  At issue is whether any future extension will be retroactive to address the “coverage gap” that will be created beginning June 2, 2010, if no legislation is in place.

Any regular Tennessee Unemployment Compensation claim that exhausted benefits with week ending 5/22/10 should have transitioned to Tier 1 for the phase-out period.  As of now, Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) new claims or transitions to the program will expire with the date of 06/02/10.  If a claimant exhausts a Tier-1, Tier-2 or Tier-3 balance on weekending 05/29/10, the claimant will be entitled to set up the next Tier on 06/01/10.  No other entitlement is allowed.  If a claimant has set up on EUC by application or transition entitlement that week, the claimant will be allowed to draw out any balance in that part (Tier) of the program.  No other funding/entitlement will be set up after that date unless the National Congress approves another extension period.  That is unknown at this time.

The Extended Benefit (EB) program will stop according to state law on June 5, 2010.  No balances will be paid out, and no new entitlement will be set up after that date.  According to Federal law if an individual was receiving EB and has not drawn a Tier 2XTRA week or had any Tier-3 entitlement set up, the claimant may do so for weekending June 12, 2010.  This is the only entitlement that will be allowed the claimant.  After that amount has been received no further benefits will be paid unless Congress authorizes an extension of the dates for Federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation or Extended Benefits.

Source:  http://www.tn.gov/labor-wfd/unemployment_ExtendedBenefits_Nov2009.html

In effect, if you are on a current unemployment tier of benefits - you will not be able to certify until Congress resolves this issue when they return from break this week.  Is there anyone out there still receiving benefits who happens to have links to resources or are from other states having this same issue? 

If you are in the State of Tennessee you may email:  john.partlow@tn.gov and he can assist with your claim and give you information.  More on this issue will be posted when it is known.

UPDATE:  Us Unemployed Blogsite has learned that the issues with certifying in the State of Tennessee have now been resolved.  If you are still experiencing problems, call the claims center or try to certify again tomorrow.