The Department of Workforce Solutions says fewer weeks of unemployment benefits will be available to jobless New Mexicans because of a change in federal law. A maximum of 60 weeks of unemployment compensation will be offered effective July 7. That's down from 73 weeks.
The department says some federally funded unemployment benefits are expiring because the state's three-month average unemployment rate is below 7 percent. A 6 percent rate previously triggered an additional 13 weeks of benefits for jobless workers.
A federal law enacted earlier this year established new provisions that determine the maximum benefits available in a state.
The department says New Mexicans who qualified for 73 weeks of benefits before July 7 can continue to receive the payments during a phase-out period. Workers must weekly certify their eligibility.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.