File new unemployment claim or wait for extension? (2009, estimates)

[ediag]

Hi,
I'm getting my last UE check Friday and according to them I'm not eligible for any extensions.

I filed one claim in 2007, a new one in 2008, and only got one extension (on the 2007 claim).

Would it be worth it to try to open a new claim (which I don't know if I'm eligible for) ? Would that affect any extensions that Congress passes, if I'm in the middle of a new (lower paying) claim? Is there any way I can apply for an extension on the 2008 claim? Or a Tier 2 on the 2007 claim?

I have been reading through the other threads, and I just want to thank you all for being so helpful to lurkers, which you may not realize. Just looking for opinions. Thank you!

[gsowa]

The measure would apply to those whose benefits will run out by Dec. 31, which is nearly two million people, according to Senate estimates. Those whose checks have already stopped would be able to reapply for another round.However, under the legislation as written, it is unclear how many people in those high unemployment states could ever collect that additional 6 weeks of benefits. To get them, a person in one of the affected states would have to exhaust the newly authorized benefits of up to 14 weeks first, and do so by the end of the year. But there are only eight weeks left in 2009. Some people, who would get eight weeks or less of new benefits under the law, would be the ones who would likely qualify for the extra six weeks under the legislation as written. But expect Congress to attempt before the end of the year to further extend the eligibility window -- albeit in another piece of legislation -- to give people in hard-hit states like Michigan more of a chance to collect those six weeks.