Governor Jay Nixon has signed legislation extending unemployment benefits for Missourians. The additional unemployment money is part of the federal economic stimulus package. House Bill 1075 will provide $65 million for out-of-work Missourians who have gone through their benefits but who have still not found employment.

Under normal circumstances, unemployment benefits would last a total of 59 weeks, provided the claimant has not found a job. But this legislation will extend benefits during times of high unemployment. Missourians will be eligible for up to 13 additional weeks of benefits when the jobless rate exceeds 6.5 percent during the most recent three-month period. In addition, the legislation provides up to seven additional weeks of benefits when the average total unemployment rate exceeds 8 percent during the most recent three-month period.