Since the cessation of the extended unemployment insurance benefit program, known as Federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) on December 28, 2013, the RI Department of Labor and Training had encouraged former EUC recipients to continue to certify weekly in the event Congress reinstates the benefit. Because action by Congress to authorize an extension appears unlikely, the department will no longer accept weekly certifications from former EUC recipients after February 22, 2014. Letters have been mailed out notifying all EUC recipients of the change in policy.
If Congress does authorize any changes to the unemployment insurance system; the department will notify all eligible customers of the required actions needed to take by mail and the information will be posted on its web site www.dlt.ri.gov.
The department urges job seekers to utilize the free job search services of the state's netWORKri one-stop career centers and to post their resume on www.Employri.org. These are located in Providence, Wakefield, West Warwick and Woonsocket, and offer a variety of self-service job search technologies as well as staff-assisted workshops and career advising. For more information, visit www.networkri.org.
Additionally, United Way and/or the RI Department of Human Services may be able to provide assistance. Individuals who were considered ineligible for services while collecting unemployment insurance benefits may be eligible once benefits are exhausted.
> United Way of RI: call 2-1-1 or go to www.211ri.org.
> RI Department of Human Services: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) call 1-866-306-0270 or go to www.eatbettertoday.com