Gov. Linda Lingle yesterday announced the extension of 13 additional weeks of federally funded unemployment benefits for Hawai'i residents.

The extension will be in effect from July 6 through March 31.

The extended benefits are on top of the 26 weeks of unemployment insurance benefits currently available to those who have lost their jobs through no fault of their own.

The extension is authorized under the Emergency Unemployment Compensation legislation in the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2008.

While the extension has been approved by the president and Congress, the governors of each state must authorize the extended benefits for their individual states.

"This extension will provide unemployed individuals and their families with additional financial resources to help pay their bills as they get back into the job market," Lingle said.

"These extended benefits will not have an impact on the state's General Fund or the Unemployment Insurance Trust Fund, as all of the benefits are provided through the federal government."

The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations said it will mail out notices to an estimated 37,000 individuals who are potentially eligible for the extended benefits.

These individuals should report in person with their notice to a local DLIR unemployment insurance claims office to file for the extended benefits.

Individuals who qualify for the benefits should receive their notice no later than July 19.