Notice of a Change in Status of the Extended Benefit (EB) Program for New Mexico

AGENCY:

Employment and Training Administration, Labor.

ACTION:

Notice.

This notice announces a change in benefit period eligibility under the EB program that has occurred since the publication of the last notice regarding the States' EB status:

• The beginning date for New Mexico's High Unemployment Period (HUP) was July 4, 2021, and statutorily once a state begins a HUP it must remain “on” for 13-weeks. During the mandatory 13-week “on” period, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released data which showed the seasonally-adjusted total unemployment rate for New Mexico falling below the 8.0 percent threshold necessary to remain “on” a HUP in EB. As such, the HUP for New Mexico will end on October 2, 2021 and beginning October 3, 2021, the maximum potential entitlement for claimants in EB in New Mexico will decrease from 20 weeks to 13 weeks.

The trigger notice covering state eligibility for the EB program can be found at: http://ows.doleta.gov/unemploy/claims_arch.as .

Information for Claimants

The duration of benefits payable in the EB program, and the terms and conditions on which they are payable, are governed by the Federal-State Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 1970, as amended, and the operating instructions issued to the states by the U.S. Department of Labor. In the case of a state beginning an EB period, the State Workforce Agency will furnish a written notice of potential entitlement to each individual who has exhausted all rights to regular benefits and is potentially eligible for EB (20 CFR 615.13 (c) (1)).

Persons who believe they may be entitled to EB, or who wish to inquire about their rights under the program, should contact their State Workforce Agency.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Office of Unemployment Insurance Room S-4524, Attn: Thomas Stengle, 200 Constitution Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20210, telephone number (202) 693-2991 (this is not a toll-free number) or by email: Stengle.Thomas@dol.gov.