By KRWG News
New Mexico – ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRWG) The New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions says the state's declining unemployment rate will mean fewer weeks of assistance for jobless New Mexicans.
The department said that six weeks of extended benefits will no longer be available as of June 12.
Unemployed New Mexicans potentially can qualify for up to 93 weeks of assistance.
Since February, New Mexicans had been eligible for a maximum of 99 weeks of jobless benefits because of high unemployment. Additional federal benefits were triggered when the state's three-month average jobless rate reached at least 8.5 percent. The federal government covers the cost of the extra benefits.
Workforce Solutions Secretary Celina Bussey said unemployed New Mexicans who qualify for the extra six weeks of benefits before June 12 will receive the assistance.
Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. KRWG