Wednesday, April 23, 2003

Benefits extended to airline layoffs

State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond announced last week plans to implement federal legislation extending unemployment insurance benefits to laid-off airline industry workers who have exhausted their benefits. The President signed the legislation into law.

The legislation provides for up to 39 weeks of additional benefits. To qualify for these additional benefits, workers must have been laid off by an air carrier or by retail, transportation, maintenance, or service firms located on airport grounds. Workers laid off from jobs in related industries, including those providing products and services directly to an air carrier, may also be eligible.

Idled airline industry workers who have exhausted their unemployment benefits and who may be eligible for the extension will be mailed instructions within 10 days on how to file.

Exhaustees will be able to file their claims via the Internet at www.dol.state.ga.us.

However, for those who prefer to complete a paper application, one will be mailed along with the instructions, which can be returned by mail, fax, or hand-delivered to any department career center. Either way, applicants do not have to report in person to a department office in order to file. Individuals who do not receive instructions and believe they may be eligible are encouraged to apply.

"Our staff is sensitive to the financial plight of people who have been out of work and exhausted their benefits," Thurmond said. "In anticipation of the bill, we have been preparing to process applications quickly, so we can get the checks into the hands of those who need them."

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