FRANKFORT, Ky. (Dec. 23, 2009) – Unemployment benefits set to expire Dec. 31 will continue into next year, keeping more than 32,000 Kentuckians from losing benefits, Gov. Beshear announced today.

President Barack Obama signed legislation Dec. 19 extending the filing deadline for the federally funded jobless benefits from Dec. 31, 2009 to Feb. 28, 2010. The measure also continues the extra $25 a week benefits approved in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA).

Last week Gov. Beshear sent letters to members of Kentucky ’s Congressional delegation urging them to back any measure designed to further provide a temporary extension of certain unemployment benefits.

“This extension comes in the nick of time as many Kentuckians are exhausting their benefits and struggling to put food on the table and pay their bills,” said Gov. Beshear. “I applaud Congress and President Obama for recognizing this critical need and will continue to advocate for Kentucky ’s unemployed workers during these challenging times.”

Under the new law, people receiving unemployment benefits will continue to be enrolled in the next available benefit program through the end of February. Claimants do not have to apply for the extension. Those who are eligible will automatically continue to receive benefits as long as they keep filing weekly unemployment claims.

Kentucky ’s Office of Employment and Training, an agency of the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet, and the Commonwealth’s 10 local workforce investment boards remain committed to providing work search assistance, training and other employment services to unemployed Kentuckians. For more information, go to www.oet.ky.gov.