Wash. to warn thousands about shorter unemployment

OLYMPIA — Emergency federal unemployment benefits could expire next month, and the state is notifying thousands of jobless people who could be affected. Up to 2 million people across the country could lose emergency unemployment benefits during the holiday season unless Congress passes an extension. The payments average about $310 a week nationwide. The state Employment Security Department says about 240,000 people in Washington could be affected. For the past year, unemployed people could qualify for up to 99 weeks of jobless benefits. It’s broken into three chunks: 26 weeks of regular benefits, 53 weeks of emergency benefits, and another 20 weeks of extended benefits. The 53 weeks of emergency payments could be phased out if Congress doesn’t act.