Unemployement benefits increase $25

Out of work Texans will increase due to stimulus

Updated: Wednesday, 25 Feb 2009, 11:23 AM CST
Published : Wednesday, 25 Feb 2009, 10:55 AM CST

AUSTIN (AP/KXAN) - Out of work Texans who receive unemployment benefits will get a $25 weekly increase because of the recent economic stimulus package passed by Congress and signed by President Barack Obama.

The Texas Workforce Commission announced the increase in a news release Tuesday. It is retroactive to Feb. 22 and covers claims filed through Dec. 26. It will be added automatically.

This comes on the heels of information about the Texas unemployment rate rising. For the first time since 2004, unemployment in Texas hit 6 percent. The numbers released from the Texas Workforce Commission in late January show the December numbers are up from November's unemployment rate of 5.7 percent and 4.2 percent from a year ago.

While the nation's unemployment rate climbed to 7.2 percent, Texas' unemployment rate has consistently remained well below the national rate for the past year. As for many in the Austin area, unemployment is now at 5.2 percent.