Information about Extended Unemployment Insurance Benefits

Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Suzanne M. Bump has announced that unemployed job seekers in Massachusetts will be able to receive up to 13 weeks of additional unemployment insurance benefits under a new federally-funded "Extended Benefits" program which became effective the week of July 6, 2008.

"While our state is fortunate that the unemployment rate in Massachusetts continues to be lower than the national rate and we have continued to add jobs this year, these extended benefits are critically important to those families who have been struggling to find work for so long in this economy," said Secretary Bump.

Potentially eligible claimants will be notified by the state Division of Unemployment Assistance on how and when to file for benefits. It is expected that more than 95 percent of those receiving unemployment benefits will be eligible for Extended Benefits should they be unable to find a job after 26 weeks.

To find out more about eligiblity rules and how to appy for these extended benefits, visit the Division of Unemployment Assistance website, www.mass.gov/dua or read the press release.

Patrick Administration Announces New Hotline, Website for Public to Report Workplace Fraud Activity

Secretary of Labor and Workforce Development Suzanne M. Bump has announced a new toll-free hotline, 1-877-96-LABOR and website, www.mass.gov/dol/labortaskforce, for the public to anonymously report suspected cases of workplace fraud in the Bay State.

These outreach tools follow the signing by Governor Deval Patrick in March of an Executive Order which established the Joint Task Force on the Underground Economy, chaired by Director of Labor George E. Noel.  Director Noel, who noted the Task Force is not focusing its efforts on employers who commit fraud and not against other segments of the population said, “There are no winners when fraud in the workplace occurs. Workplace fraud translates into millions in revenue lost hat could otherwise be used to fund vital programs and services.”

Examples of the underground economy includes employers who misclassify their employees as independent contractors, establish separate business entities to avoid paying unemployment insurance or workers’ compensation premiums, or employers who pay their employees in cash or engage in other activities to conceal their activities.

To learn more about the Joint Task Force efforts, click here to read the press release or visit www.mass.gov/dol/labortaskforce

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