Those out of work to get extended benefits

More than 47,000 Nevadans will get their eligibility for unemployment benefits extended under an agreement signed with the U.S. Labor Department.

Gov. Jim Gibbons said the agreement will allow Nevada to participate in the federally funded extension of unemployment benefits approved by Congress last week.

He said the state Employment Security Division and Department of Employment, Training and Rehabilitation is notifying those people they may again be eligible for assistance.

"Aside from helping people who are struggling to make ends meet during this difficult economic downturn, this can provide a substantial stimulus to Nevada's economy," said Gibbons in a prepared statement.

The additional benefits will be available for people who have exhausted their unemployment eligibility. Those who qualify will get the same amount they did through their regular benefits for 13 more weeks. That is half the original 26 weeks of benefits they received.

Additional information is available from the DETR telephone claim center at 684-0350 or through the Internet at nvdetr.org