Thursday, millions of out of work Americans received some good news. Congress approved legislation that will restore unemployment benefits, for six more months, and Pres. Obama has signed it into law.

That legislation extended the deadline for those emergency unemployment benefits to the week of November 27, 2010.

Here in Texas, approximately 150,000 claimants had exhausted all available benefits due to the previous deadline. The Texas Workforce Commission has been advising claimants to continue requesting payment, so they now can receive payment for weeks since the last expiration date.

Those eligible for the federally funded extensions will receive statements from TWC with their new benefit amounts. TWC expects to begin sending payments to claimants in seven to ten days. Claimants should continue to request unemployment benefit payments on their scheduled day.

Those claiming unemployment can find updated information on their claims on the TWC website, or call 1-800-558-8321 and press option 2.

There is no need to call TWC to qualify for the extension unless claimants receive a letter telling them to call.

Emergency unemployment benefits are entirely federally funded, so Texas employers will not be charged for any claims paid on this extension.

TWC and the 28 local workforce development boards remain committed to providing work search assistance, training and other services to unemployed Texans. Thousands of job postings are available on WorkInTexas.com, TWC's online, job-matching Web site.