Long-term unemployed in Nevada dodge ‘fiscal cliff’

(AP) — Thousands of long-term unemployed in Nevada dodged a plunge off the fiscal cliff when Congress reached an end-of-the year deal on taxes.Part of the agreement includes extending federal emergency unemployment compensation for another year.Nearly 25,000 Nevadans faced being abruptly cut off from jobless benefits unless Congress voted to extend federal assistance.Nevada offers 26 weeks of unemployment compensation. But with heavy job losses during the recession, the federal government extended the period in states with high unemployment like Nevada, which has had the nation’s highest jobless rate since May 2010.Jobless benefits are currently available for up to 73 weeks.State officials say eligible recipients were notified to keep submitting weekly claims despite the uncertainly in Congress and shouldn’t see a break in their benefits.