39,000 Unemployed Tennesseans Reaching End of Benefit Line

Nearly half of all Tennesseans receiving unemployment benefits will stop getting checks at the end of the year. The state Department of Labor is putting 39,000 people on notice.

Many of these folks have been receiving $275 a week from the government for as long as two years. And Labor Department spokesman Jeff Hentschel says it’s unlikely there will be another extension.

“It’s a tough announcement because a lot of people have criticized people on unemployment because they’ve been chronically unemployed, so we’re really letting people know this is the end of the line as far as unemployment benefits goes.”

The end of benefits for 39,000 people won’t necessarily ease pressure on the state’s unemployment trust fund. All of the money is coming from federal coffers.

Starting in January, unemployment benefits return to the standard 26 weeks, which is funded by the state.