Updated at: 10/22/2009 10:45 AM | KSAX.com
By: Megan Matthews
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U.S. Senators Push to Extend Unemployment Benefits; Fast

Alexandria, Minn. - The Workforce Center has seen an increase in the number of people visiting each month, but they say that they haven't talked to too many people who've run out of unemployment benefits, at least not yet.  With another extension in the works, it may not happen for a little while longer.

"There's still a lot of back and forth in terms of is there going to be another extension, who's going to receive it," Jeff Schulte said.

Schulte is the resource room consultant at the Workforce Center where more and more people are coming in looking for jobs; however, the first wave of unemployment benefits ending has not hit Alexandria, at least not yet.

"About a month before that comes, but we're just kind of sitting and waiting and hopefully some of the right decisions will be made," Schulte said.

If the extension passes unemployment benefits will be available for another 14 weeks in all 50 states no matter how high or low their unemployment rate.

In September 2008, the center helped 859 people, which compares with the 1,331 people they helped in September 2009.  That number is expected to grow in the month of November, but the center is ready.

"We've staffed up, we've all seen bigger numbers," Sherri Wallace, resource room job instructor, said, "but we've all been spreading the load and making it easier on everyone here."

They've added computers, and they continue to offer other resources, programs and workshops to help the unemployed find jobs.  As benefits run out the center urges people to stay calm and just keep looking.

"The most important thing is to stay calm for people.  I know people are going to rush and kind of panic a little bit," Schulte said, "and if they do get that 14 week extension that it's just not taken for granted...they really put in the extra effort."

Written for the web by Megan Matthews

megan@ksax.com