Unemployment
The Federal Government has approved a grant to the State of Alaska to expand weekly unemployment benefits by $300 a week. ($19.9 million)
· Payments are expected to start in about six weeks.
· Payments will be retroactive to July 25th.
· The additional Federal unemployment benefit will be paid for about six weeks.
Currently, the maximum unemployment payment in Alaska is $370 per week.
Those receiving help through the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program will not receive the additional Federal unemployment payments.
The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program is for the self-employed and those in the gig economy.
Alaskans can now file unemployment benefit claims on a weekly basis rather than the normal every two weeks.
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File online through the my.alaska.gov portal.
- For questions contact the nearest unemployment claim center.
- Anchorage: (907) 269-4700.
- Fairbanks: (907) 451-2871.
- Juneau: (907) 465-5552.
- Toll-free: 1-888-252-2557.
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Online at jobs.alaska.gov to view job openings, post resumes and access additional services.
- Job seekers and employers can also contact their nearest Alaska Job Center by dialing (877) 724-2539.
Unemployment Benefits to Cover Dependents
The State of Alaska is starting to disperse additional unemployment payments to parents with dependents.
The additional money was authorized by the Alaska Legislature with the passage of the COVID-19 response bill, House Bill 308.
- Prior to passage unemployed parents received and extra $25 per dependent.
- HB 308 increased the payment up to $75. (Capped at 3 dependents)
- The additional money will be paid retroactively to the start of a persons unemployment. ( It's taxable)
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The additional payments are authorized through November 15.
- The Department of Labor notes that around $15 million will be paid out due to the new program being implemented.
- It’s estimated that around 15,000 Alaskans will be eligible for the extra benefits.
