Have your 26 weeks of unemployment benefits run out?

You may be eligible for another 13 weeks of benefits under recent action from Congress.

Maryland’s Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation will start sending letters tomorrow to 46,000 Marylanders who may qualify for extended benefits. The extension took effect July 6.

To qualify, you must be unemployed and must have exhausted your benefits on or after May 1, 2007, according to the state. You must also be actively seeking a full-time job.

The letter will explain how to file for extended benefits.

If you think you may be eligible but haven’t received a letter by Aug. 5, contact an unemployment insurance claim center, state officials say.

Don’t quit a job to get these extra benefits. The state says your claim will be denied.