The House of Representatives passed a bill yesterday that, if enacted, will extend unemployment benefits for an additional 13 weeks.

The extension will only apply to states that have unemployment rates higher than 8.5 percent – about 27 states, plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.  More than 300,000 unemployed workers whose benefits will run out at the end of the month and more than a million others who will lose benefits by the end of the year will be eligible for the extension.

Congress last approved a 33-week extension in February as part of the economic recovery package.