State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond today commended President Obama and the U.S. Congress for their efforts to expand the extended benefits claim filing period for jobless Americans through Nov. 30. Today, Congress passed the American Jobs and Closing Tax Loopholes Act of 2010, titled as H.R. 4213, and President Obama is expected to sign it. The bill does not, however, provide additional benefits beyond 99 weeks.

“Record-high levels of unemployment have created difficult economic situations for jobless Georgians and their families,” Commissioner Thurmond said. “These additional resources will help jobseekers who qualify provide food, clothing, and shelter while they seek employment.”

In June, Georgia’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stood at 10.0 percent.

The Georgia Department of Labor is identifying individuals who potentially meet the eligibility requirements, as outlined in the legislation. Once the bill becomes law, the department will immediately begin mailing notices to affected individuals. Benefits payments are expected to be made by Friday, July 30.

Individuals who may be eligible will be those who had remaining weeks of eligibility when the previous benefit extension law expired on June 2. Claimants who have exhausted all weeks of eligibility will not benefit from the new legislation.

Thurmond urges those who may be eligible to monitor the department’s web site www.dol.state.ga.us for up-to-date information.