LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraskans who are on unemployment are expected to lose some extended benefits starting this week.

Local media reports the federal government is phasing out the benefits, which allowed some unemployed workers to collect as much as 53 extra weeks of compensation.

The Nebraska Department of Labor estimates the change will affect between 200 and 250 people per week.

The emergency federal benefits went into effect in late summer 2008, in response to the recession and high unemployment. They have been extended several times, but are set to expire at the end of 2012.