IT'S STILL A LONG WAY FROM FINAL APPROVAL, BUT THE SENATE HAS TAKEN THE FIRST STEP IN RESTORING LONG TERM JOBLESS BENEFITS THAT EXPIRED IN LATE DECEMBER. THE AVERAGE BENEFIT PAID IN NEW MEXICO IS A LITTLE OVER 300-DOLLARS A WEEK…AND FOREHAND TELLS US THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT IS A LITTLE OVER 400-DOLLARS.
THAT'S JOY FOREHAND WITH THE NEW MEXICO DEPARTMENT OF WORKFORCE SOLUTIONS WHO SAYS ABOUT 54-HUNDRED NEW MEXICANS WERE AFFECTED WHEN THE EXTENDED UNEMPLOYMENT INSURANCE ENDED. THE ALBUQUERQUE JOURNAL REPORTS THAT IF THE BENEFITS WERE TO CONTINUE THROUGH 2014, MORE THAN 25-THOUSAND NEW MEXICANS COULD GET THEM AT SOME POINT THIS YEAR.
