WETHERSFIELD, Conn. (AP) — State labor officials say about 43,000 Connecticut residents could lose emergency unemployment benefits at the end of December unless Congress continues the program.

An additional 50,000 people obtain benefits as part of the state benefits program and would not be able to collect beyond the 26 weeks provided by the program.

And those who are recently unemployed will be eligible to only collect 26 weeks of state unemployment insurance benefits if federal funding ends.

During the worst of the recession Connecticut provided up to 99 weeks of unemployment benefits.

A 20-week federal extended benefits program ended and the number of weeks available under the federal program was eliminated during the year.

The state Labor Department said Wednesday that Connecticut's unemployed who are collecting benefits should continue to put in claims.