[Federal Register Volume 77, Number 147 (Tuesday, July 31, 2012)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45380-45381]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2012-18535]


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DEPARTMENT OF LABOR

Employment and Training Administration


Announcement Regarding States Triggering ``On'' and ``Off'' in 
the Emergency Unemployment Compensation 2008 (EUC08) Program and the 
Federal-State Extended Benefits (EB) Program

AGENCY: Employment and Training Administration, Labor.

ACTION: Notice.

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SUMMARY: Announcement regarding states triggering ``on'' and ``off'' in 
the Emergency Unemployment Compensation 2008 (EUC08) Program and the 
Federal-State Extended Benefits (EB) Program.
    The U.S. Department of Labor (Department) produces trigger notices 
indicating which states qualify for both EB and EUC08 benefits, and 
provides the beginning and ending dates of payable periods for each 
qualifying state. The trigger notices covering state eligibility for 
these programs can be found at: http://ows.doleta.gov/unemploy/claims_arch.asp.
    The following changes have occurred since the publication of the 
last notice regarding states' EB and EUC08 trigger status:
     Based on data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics 
on June 15, 2012, the three month average, seasonally adjusted total 
unemployment rate for Nevada (11.7%), New Jersey (9.1%), and Rhode 
Island (11.1%) did not meet one of the necessary criteria to remain on 
in the EB program: Having a rate at least ten percent greater than the 
comparable rate in any of the three prior years. This triggered these 
states ``off'' the EB program with the week ending June 16, 2012. The 
end of the payable period in Nevada, New Jersey, and Rhode Island in 
the EB program was July 7, 2012.
     Based on data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics 
on June 15, 2012, the three month average, seasonally adjusted total 
unemployment rate for New Mexico and Texas fell below the 7.0% trigger 
threshold to remain ``on'' in Tier 3 of the EUC 2008 program. As a 
result, the maximum potential entitlement for these states in the EUC 
program decreased from 47 weeks to 34 weeks. The week ending July 7, 
2012, was the last week in which EUC claimants in these states could 
exhaust Tier 2, and establish Tier 3 eligibility. Under the phase-out 
provisions, claimants can receive any remaining entitlement they have 
in Tier 3 after July 7, 2012.
     Based on data released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics 
on June 15, 2012, the three month average, seasonally adjusted total 
unemployment rate for Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi fell below the 
9.0% trigger threshold to remain ``on'' in Tier 4 of the EUC 2008 
program. As a result, the maximum potential entitlement for these 
states in the EUC program decreased from 53 weeks to 47 weeks. The week 
ending July 7, 2012, was the last week in which EUC claimants in these 
states could exhaust Tier 3, and establish Tier 4 eligibility. Under 
the phase-out provisions, claimants can receive any remaining 
entitlement they have in Tier 4 after July 7, 2012.
     The week ending June 30, 2012, concluded a mandatory 13-
week ``off'' period in the Virgin Islands for Tier 3 in the EUC 2008 
program. Because the current estimated trigger rate for the Virgin 
Islands is 7.7%, a payable period in Tier 3 has resumed beginning July 
1, 2012, and the first payable week for eligible claimants there was 
the week ending July 7, 2012.
     With the release of national unemployment data by the 
Bureau of Labor Statistics on July 6, 2012, the estimated three month 
average, seasonally adjusted total unemployment rate for the Virgin 
Islands rose above the 9.0% threshold necessary to trigger ``on'' in 
Tier 4 of the EUC 2008 program. The 13 week mandatory ``off'' period 
for the Virgin Islands in Tier 4 of the EUC 2008 program concluded May 
26, 2012, so the Virgin Islands triggered ``on'' to Tier 4. As a result 
of this, the maximum potential entitlement for the Virgin Islands in 
the EUC 2008 program will increase from 47 weeks to 53 weeks. The week 
beginning July 22, 2012, will be the first week in which EUC claimants 
in the Virgin Islands who have exhausted Tier 3, and are otherwise 
eligible, can establish Tier 4 eligibility.

Information for Claimants

    The duration of benefits payable in the EUC08 program, and the 
terms and conditions under which they are payable, are governed by 
Public Laws 110-252, 110-449, 111-5, 111-92, 111-118, 111-144, 111-157, 
111-205, 111-312, 112-96, and the operating instructions issued to the 
states by the Department. 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 Department.

[[Page 45381]]

    In the case of a state beginning or concluding a payable period in 
EB or EUC08, the State Workforce Agency will furnish a written notice 
of any change in potential entitlement to each individual who could 
establish, or had established, eligibility for benefits (20 CFR 
615.13(c)(1) and (c)(4)). Persons who believe they may be entitled to 
benefits under the EB or EUC08 program, or who wish to inquire about 
their rights under the program, should contact their State Workforce 
Agency.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Scott Gibbons, U.S. Department of 
Labor, Employment and Training Administration, Office of Unemployment 
Insurance, 200 Constitution Avenue NW., Frances Perkins Bldg. Room S-
4524, Washington, DC 20210, telephone number (202) 693-3008 (this is 
not a toll-free number) or by email: [email protected].

    Signed in Washington, DC, this 24th day of July, 2012.
Jane Oates,
Assistant Secretary for Employment and Training.
[FR Doc. 2012-18535 Filed 7-30-12; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4510-FW-P