Unemployment aid
extended

SPRINGFIELD, Mass (WWLP) - This struggling economy has a lot of people facing a gloomy holiday season.
But Washington is offering a bit a relief to those unemployed to help them stay afloat during these tough times.

Raymond Chinn of Springfield said he's been waiting six weeks to receive his unemployment benefits after he was laid off from his job as a line cook.  He said, “It's hard out there to find job.  I just finished school for culinary.  I haven’t been able to find a job in cooking.  You know I'm good at it.” 

Rising unemployment rates prompted President Bush to sign a new law extending unemployment benefits through the holiday season.

Jobless Americans will receive 13 extra weeks of benefits, which for many people is a much needed relief.

As for Raymond Chinn, he told us he's not letting unemployment get the best of him and he looks forward to landing his dream job in the culinary arts field.

The extended unemployment benefits will hopefully keep money flowing through the economy during the holidays.