MARIETTA - Cobb's unemployment rate remained at 9.7 percent from June through July, according to preliminary data released Thursday from the Georgia Department of Labor.

After continually rising month to month, the leveling off is positive; however, the rate is hovering around 30-year high and for some, insurance benefits may be running out. Fortunately, there are three extended benefits programs available for people who have exhausted regular unemployment insurance.

The highest unemployment rate recorded in Cobb was 10.8 percent in January of 1976.

In July, there were 374,489 people in Cobb's labor force, of which, 36,235 were unemployed. The state Labor Department defines "unemployed" as someone who is not working but is actively seeking employment.

However, Cobb's unemployment rate continues to be lower than that of metro Atlanta and the state.

In metro Atlanta, unemployment marginally rose from 10.6 percent in June to 10.7 percent in July. Unemployment increased in all metro counties except in Gwinnett, Douglas and Paulding. In those counties the unemployment rate was unchanged.

Georgia's unemployment rate increased to 10.6 percent in July, up from 10.4 percent in June.

Meanwhile, the national unemployment rate remained at 9.7 percent in July, according to the data. There were 15.2 million Americans looking for work in July, according to the data.

In Cobb, 3,769 people filed first-time claims in July for state unemployment insurance benefits. That's a slight decrease from the 3,781 people who filed in June.

Most of the initial claims were filed by people who worked in manufacturing, construction, administrative and support services, and wholesale and retail trade, according to the labor department. The average length of time that jobless residents drew insurance benefits increased from 11-and-a-half weeks in July 2008 to just over 13 weeks in July 2009.

For those who have exhausted regular unemployment insurance, there are three extended benefits programs.

n First-tier emergency unemployment compensation provides up to 20 weeks of additional benefits to those who established a benefits claim that began on or after May 7, 2006, have exhausted their regular benefits, or the claim year has ended, and are not eligible to establish a new claim in any state. The last week to apply is the week of Dec. 20.

n Second-tier emergency compensation provides up to 13 weeks of additional benefits to individuals who have exhausted first-tier compensation. Individuals must qualify for and exhaust first-tier benefits prior to the claim week of Dec. 20 in order to qualify.

n Lastly, state extended benefits provide up to 20 weeks of additional benefits to individuals who have exhausted all regular unemployment insurance, as well as first- and second-tier compensation on or after Feb. 15, 2009. Individuals who exhaust second-tier benefits must apply by completing an online application at www.dol.state.ga.us.

To receive any of the extended benefit programs, individuals must be unemployed and not be eligible to establish a new regular unemployment claim in Georgia, any other state, U.S. territory or Canada, according to the labor department.

There are about 140,000 insurance benefits claimants receiving federally funded extended benefits, bringing the total number of benefits claimants in Georgia to 303,839, the labor department reported.

The Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Greater Atlanta teaches financial management classes to the unemployed from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. every Thursday at the Cobb-Cherokee Career Center, a state unemployment office, at 465 Big Shanty Road off Busbee Parkway in Kennesaw.

Money management tips offered at the classes include making at least minimum monthly payments on credit card accounts. If you can't make your mortgage payment, CCCS suggests contacting a mortgage counselor, and if you have student loans, it suggests contacting the financial company servicing to find out if you can defer or reduce your payments.

Southwest Cobb Commissioner Woody Thompson said his District 4 is "pretty much a reflection of (Cobb's) 9.7 percent unemployment rate."

Many residents were already at or beneath the poverty line before the recession, he said.

Thompson said there are plenty of areas in his district for businesses to expand, such as the corridor south of Interstate 20, which is designated for industrial use and contains large warehouse structures. He also said the county commission has been working to keep existing businesses in Cobb by passing redevelopment incentives, like temporarily reducing taxes for companies who renovate.