Gov. Linda Lingle authorizes the increase in unemployment benefits Wednesday, Feb. 18. (Photo courtesy of the Governor's Office)

 

 

MEDIA RELEASE

Gov. Linda Lingle has authorized an additional $25 a week in unemployment benefits per claimant as part of the federal package.

On Wednesday, Feb. 18, Lingle signed an agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor that makes the increase effective starting Sunday, Feb. 22.  This increase in benefits is expected to add more than $600,000 to Hawaii’s economy each week.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 creates a new federally funded program that provides the $25 weekly benefit increase through the end of the year.  

While the increase was approved by President Obama and Congress under the federal stimulus package, the governors of each state must authorize the use of the funds for their individual states.

“This weekly increase in benefits will provide unemployed individuals in Hawaii and their families with additional financial resources to help pay their bills as they get back into the job market,” Lingle said. “The increased benefits will not impact the state’s General Fund or the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, as all of the benefits are provided through the federal government as part of the economic stimulus package.”