TOPEKA ? Kansas officials were notified Thursday that the state will receive $69 million in federal stimulus funds for unemployment benefits.

“It was less than one month ago that I was joined by aviation and business leaders in Wichita, signing the legislation that qualified Kansas for these funds, and already, we’re seeing how swift action can achieve swift results,” said Gov. Mark Parkinson. “These resources will help out-of-work Kansans put food on the table while they learn new skills for a new job, and that is a critical step in turning our economy around,” he said.

Kansas became eligible for the funds under the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act after the 2009 legislative session when lawmakers approved changes in the state’s unemployment system.

Those changes included an alternate wage base period to determine an individual’s eligibility for unemployment benefits; codifying a long-time practice of allowing benefits to those seeking part-time work; and providing up to 26 additional weeks of benefits for individuals participating in approved training programs.