Thousands of unemployed Hawai'i residents will be able to file for federal unemployment benefits during the next two months after Congress and President Obama extended the program until the end of February.

People whose current benefits were to expire after Dec. 31 had worried about being unable to apply for benefit extensions because the program was ending. But legislation extending federal benefits was signed by Obama over the weekend.

"Under the old deadline, we recognized a lot of claimants wouldn't qualify for extensions," said Ryan Mark-ham, spokesman for the state Department of Labor.

"We are pleased the program was extended into February. It's definitely good news this time of year with the holidays."

Hawai'i residents receive 26 weeks of benefits paid through the state program and up to 47 more weeks through extensions available from the federal program.

Under the new law, people receiving unemployment benefits will continue to be enrolled in the next available benefit program through the end of February. Claimants do not have to apply for the extension. Those who are eligible will automatically continue to receive benefits as long as they keep filing weekly unemployment claims.

There were an estimated 44,950 unemployed in Hawai'i last month, down from 46,800 in October but up from 31,900 in November 2008. The state's unemployment rate stood at 7 percent last month, down from 7.3 percent in October but up from 4.9 percent in November 2008.