TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) -- Unemployed Kansans have started getting an extra $25 in their weekly jobless benefits, and food stamp recipients will see an increase in benefits because of the federal stimulus package, state officials said Monday.Additional federal funds are coming as Kansas and other states suffer during the recession. The number of unemployed Kansans has more than doubled from a year ago and those receiving food stamps increased 10 percent within a year.
Secretary of Labor Jim Garner said Monday the additional $25 is being added to weekly unemployment benefits, which average $328. The additional money will continue as long as a person remains eligible for unemployment benefits.
Currently, an unemployed Kansan receives 26 weeks of regular benefits and 20 weeks of extended benefits. The Department of Labor says more than 59,000 Kansans received jobless benefits in February, compared with about 24,000 for February 2008.
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