Has Mississippi accepted stimulus funding to enhance our state’s unemployment benefits system?
• A: Yes. Governor Barbour signed the necessary paperwork and several changes to our state’s unemployment program were begun in March 2009. Now, Mississippians who receive unemployment compensation will temporarily see an increase of $25 per week in their weekly benefit checks. In addition, the Governor approved extending the qualification period for some beneficiaries, so Mississippians can potentially receive up to 33 additional weeks of unemployment payments.
