Congress passed and President Obama signed a bill that adds a third "tier" to the current Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program.

The third "tier" of EUC will provide up to 13 more weeks of benefits to applicants who have exhausted both EUC Tier One and Tier Two benefits. Tier One provides up to 20 weeks of benefits and Tier Two has provided up to 13 weeks of benefits (the Bill also adds one week to EUC Tier Two bringing it up to a maximum of 14 weeks).

The first week for which benefits are available under this Bill is the week beginning 11-8-09. Eligible applicants will first request payment for the "14th week" of Tier Two and then, if they’re still eligible, be automatically moved to EUC Tier Three.

Applicants who have already exhausted EUC Tier Two and are currently receiving Federal-State Extended Benefits (EB) will be removed from the EB program and required to request the "14th week" of EUC Tier Two and then moved to EUC Tier Three. If the applicant later exhausts EUC Tier Three benefits, he or she will then move back to the EB program.

Minnesota Unemployment Insurance Program staff will make the necessary adjustments to applicants’ benefit accounts so that all applicants can request benefits from the correct program as soon as benefits are available. Applicants who are affected by this change will be notified by mail.