State Secures Interest-Free Federal Loans to Bolster Unemployment Account ATLANTA, GA (WABE) - On the heels of Metro Atlanta's slightly-improved jobless report released Wednesday, state officials say Washington will keep unemployment funds coming to Georgians still looking for work. WABE's Jim Burress reports.

Georgia Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond says the state's unemployment fund is running on empty:

"In 2008, we paid out $950-million in benefits. As of November, we paid out some $1.6-billion dollars. "

Despite the near-empty bank account eligible Georgians will continue receiving unemployment benefits. And businesses won't have to worry about an increase in unemployment taxes--at least for now.

Thurmond says Georgia has secured federal loans to stem the tide. And while those funds will have to be repaid they will not accrue interest.

"We will be able to get the advances as long as they're needed. The interest free component is will now continue through January, 2011. So that's a huge savings for states."

The state Department of Labor says 10.1-percent of metro Atlantans are looking for work. That's a tenth of a percent lower than the state average.

Jim Burress, WABE News.
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