Some Nevadans to lose extended jobless benefits

Nevada's falling jobless rate isn't good news for everybody.

Officials have announced that the unemployment rate is low enough that Nevada is no longer eligible to pay State Extended Benefits, which assist 5,500 Nevadans who have exhausted other jobless benefits.

Mae Worthey, a spokeswoman with the state Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation, said 77 percent of the state's extended-benefits recipients live in Clark County. That's 4,235 people.

"This exceptionally severe recession left many people unemployed for long periods of time," Renee Olson, who directs Nevada's employment security division, said Monday. "The SEB program assisted them while they continued to search for their next job, and we understand that this is unfortunate news for those who depend on these benefits."

While Nevada's unemployment rate remains the highest in the nation at 11.6 percent, federal officials have determined it's low enough that the state isn't eligible for the extended program.

To be eligible, a state's three-month average unemployment rate must be at least 10 percent higher than the corresponding months in any of three prior years. Under that formula, Nevada's three-month average unemployment would need to be 12 percent to participate in the program. It is 11.8 percent.

The benefits provide up to 20 additional weeks of unemployment checks for people who have maxed out basic benefits. Nevada first became eligible for them in February 2009.

State officials are notifying all extended benefits recipients about the changes, and how they can get more job assistance.