SALEM, Ore. (AP) — State officials say $30 million in extended benefits for the long-term unemployed will run out sooner than expected.
Officials from the Oregon Employment Department announced Tuesday that the program is on track to run out of money as soon as the week of May 14, two weeks sooner than expected. State lawmakers approved the program in March to give an additional six weeks of unemployment checks to people who have exhausted all other unemployment benefits.
Officials estimated that 17,000 people would qualify for the additional benefits after exhausting 99 weeks of unemployment benefits. By Friday, 22,000 people had already qualified.
Proponents of the program say the high demand shows how many people are still looking for work after two years of unemployment.
