Washington and Idaho have notified about 120,000 residents they might be eligible to collect unemployment checks as part of a federal extension for workers who lost their jobs and who exhausted their original insurance benefits.

Both states have established Web sites that allow workers to file for extensions.

Washington officials say roughly 100,000 workers could qualify if they filed a claim for unemployment benefits on or after May 7, 2006, and later exhausted the benefits - Idaho officials say they mailed out notices to some 20,000 workers.

Recently approved federal emergency compensation allows up to 13 additional weeks of benefits for those workers who are still unemployed or meet other qualifications. (Spokesman Review)