Lawmaker: 21K Nevadans have lost jobless benefits

Rep. Steven Horsford says 21,000 Nevadans have lost extended jobless benefits since the federal program expired Dec. 28.

Officials estimate 800 Nevadans are being dropped from benefits each week as the long-term unemployed exhaust state benefits that run out after 26 weeks.

The Nevada Democrat says nationally nearly 72,000 people are losing assistance weekly.

Efforts to extend the program that was implemented at the height of the recession have stalled in Congress.

Nevada’s unemployment rate remains the highest in the nation and was at 9 percent in November.

The state Department of Employment, Security and Rehabilitation is scheduled to release December’s jobless report on Monday.