By KRWG News
New Mexico – New Mexico is getting $26 million in federal unemployment insurance modernization incentive funds.
The U.S. Department of Labor says the state qualified for the money by letting certain part-time workers claim unemployment benefits and by providing dependents' allowances for unemployment insurance beneficiaries.
The state's labor department can use the money to pay unemployment benefits and to administer the unemployment insurance program.
U.S. Labor Secretary Hilda Solis says the program recognizes the needs of 21st century workers by extending benefits to part-time workers who once were ineligible to apply.
She says workers with families will benefit by extra money based on the number of dependents they have.
Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.