Unemployed Kansans eligible for additional benefits

? State labor officials say some jobless Kansans are now eligible for up to 86 weeks of unemployment benefits.

Federal legislation signed last week by President Barack Obama adds 14 weeks of benefits for some Kansans.

State Labor Secretary Jim Garner says thousands of Kansas residents are nearing the end of their unemployment benefits. Labor officials are working through the details of the extension and plan to begin issuing the additional benefits soon.

Kansas currently has a jobless rate of 6.9 percent.