Benefits Restored for Long-term Unemployed

North Carolina’s Employment Security Commission is in the process of re-evaluating extended benefits for thousands of residents.  Some jobless residents are getting back payments thanks to an executive order signed by the governor. 

About 47-thousand jobless residents are getting a second look by the E-S-C. That’s after Governor Bev.  Perdue’s executive order, restoring an extended jobless benefits program for the long-term unemployed. Larry Parker is a spokesman for the E-S-C.   He says as soon as they confirm the status of claimants – money is being disbursed right away.

Larry Parker:  "You know we began processing claims on Friday, we knew that money would start to be deposited in the first part of this week.  So, it’s really good if folks are already seeing that money in their accounts. "

Democrats and Republicans sparred over restoring the extended jobless benefits.  Republicans tried to tie the extension to budget cuts before Perdue signed the executive order.