FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 21, 2020

Contact: Julie Menghini

Communications and Legislative Director

(785) 581-7307

julie.menghini@ks.gov

Unemployment insurance benefits expansion to 26 weeks

TOPEKA – Kansas Secretary of Labor Delía García confirmed today that the expansion to up to 26 weeks of unemployment benefits passed by the Kansas legislature and signed into law by Governor Laura Kelly in March is operative.

In mid-March, the legislature passed a temporary extension to increase the number of weeks an individual would be eligible for unemployment benefits from up to16 weeks to up to 26 weeks for all claims filed after January 1, 2020. The extension will apply automatically; no application or process is required other than to file weekly claims. Those impacted will receive new monetary determinations that include the additional 10 weeks’ worth of benefits.

“If you are eligible, you will automatically receive the benefits extension,” García said. “You do not need an additional application. This applies to applications made on or after January 1, 2020, as directed by the Kansas legislature.”

“This is good news for Kansans,” Governor Laura Kelly said. “With the implementation of the Kansas legislature’s expansion of benefits to up to 26 weeks, Kansans have the safety net needed to get through this crisis until the state can begin to reopen for business.”

For more information, or to apply for unemployment benefits, go to www.GetKansasBenefits.gov.