Hoosiers have filed approximately 220,000 unemployment vouchers totaling $54 million in benefits through the federal unemployment extensions since last Wednesday, the Indiana Department of Workforce Development (DWD) reported on Monday.

DWD anticipated 250,000 vouchers would be made available to Hoosiers. Payments on eligible vouchers filed over the weekend will be completed by today.

Over 150,000 vouchers were filed on Sunday alone. The previous Sunday, DWD processed 75,000 claims.

The vouchers still unfiled may belong to Hoosiers who:

•normally file during the week,

•will not be filed because the individual obtained employment,

•are moving between tiers of benefits, resulting in the rest of their vouchers appearing after their first set of vouchers are processed, or

•entering the Extended Benefits (EB) program which requires Hoosiers to apply in person at their local WorkOne before the vouchers become available.

DWD served over 1,500 Hoosiers during expanded hours at its call center and 27 full-service WorkOne Centers on Saturday. These facilities will remain open 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Monday through Friday this week.

Posted 8/4/2010