Latest Federal Extension of Insurance Benefits-Important Changes to EUC Extended Benefits in 2013  (Updated December 2014)

The last payable week for all federal extensions, referred to as Extended Unemployment Compensation (EUC) benefits or tiers, ended December 28, 2013. Unless Congress passes another law, no federal extended benefits can be paid for any weeks that an individual is unemployed following the week ending date of December 28, 2013, even if there is a balance on their federal extension claim. Any Congressional action or updates about federal extensions will be posted on our website www.dws.state.nm.us.

On January 2, 2013, President Obama signed the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 which extends the EUC program through January 1, 2014. Claimants were potentially eligible for up to 14 weeks of EUC Tier 1 benefits and up to 14 weeks of EUC Tier 2 benefits for EUC claims filed before December 28, 2013. The legislation did not increase the number of weeks of federal extensions, only the time period that an individual may be potentially eligible for Tier 1 or Tier 2 benefits in New Mexico. There was no phase-out period associated with this extension. The last payable week for any EUC benefits regardless of any benefit amounts remaining on the claim was the week ending December 28, 2013.

The federal EUC program offers separate benefit tiers to claimants who have exhausted their regular Unemployment Insurance benefits (26 weeks). There are no additional benefits available to claimants who have exhausted all EUC Tiers.

As of July 2012, the maximum number of weeks for Unemployment Insurance benefits in New Mexico was 54 weeks (26 weeks of regular benefits + 14 weeks Tier 1 + 14 weeks Tier 2).

PLEASE NOTE:

  • Eligibility for unemployment benefits is determined by federal and state law.
  • Log in to the New Mexico Unemployment Insurance Claims and Benefits System to verify your address is up to date so we can notify you of changes.  
  • If you are unsure of how this will affect you, contact the Unemployment Insurance Operations Center at 1-877-664-6984.
  • For information on community and financial resources
  • To apply for jobs and for valuable job search assistance and career exploration tools, visit the New Mexico Workforce Connection online system at www.jobs.state.nm.us.
Programs Table
Program Number of Weeks PED/AD Last Payable Week

Regular State Benefits

Up to 26 weeks

N/A

N/A

Emergency Unemployment Compensation

(EUC) Tier I

Up to 14 weeks

Claimants must exhaust Regular State Benefits on or before 12/21/13.

12/28/2013

Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) Tier II

**Depending on the New Mexico’s unemployment rate (6% average).

Up to 14 weeks

Claimants must exhaust Tier I on or before the week ending 12/21/13.

12/28/2013

*The Number of Weeks, the Program End Date, and the Last Payable Week are subject to change, based on the state’s three-month average total unemployment rate.