Published Thursday, Dec. 12, 2013 | 1:54 p.m.
Updated Thursday, Dec. 12, 2013 | 4:48 p.m.
CARSON CITY — Nevada officials say people receiving federal jobless benefits should keep filing weekly claims in case Congress acts early next year to continue the program.
Some 17,000 Nevadans will be cut off Dec. 28 from extended jobless benefits paid by the federal government under a budget deal that does not extend the program enacted at the height of the recession.
The Nevada Division of Employment Security says 800 people a week after that will lose eligibility as they exhaust the maximum 26 weeks of state benefits.
Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says he will push to extend the program when Congress convenes in January.
"We recognize how unfortunate these circumstances are for our clients who are still suffering the effects of the recession,” Renee Olson, administrator for the division, said in news release. “However, we have no alternative at the state level but to terminate benefits as directed if the federal program does indeed expire.”
State officials say people should continue filing weekly claims through Feb. 1 so they can be paid quickly should the program be restored.
Las Vegas Sun reporter Cy Ryan contributed to this report.
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