The state has begun notifying more than 100,000 people that their unemployment benefits will run out at the end of April unless Congress intervenes.

Department of Workforce Development spokesman John Dipko says the state started sending notification letters this week to those "who are nearing the point of exhausting" their benefits. Dipko says Wisconsinites can receive a maximum of 93 weeks of unemployment benefits.

The Wisconsin State Journal says several Democratic legislators are asking Wisconsin's congressional delegation to extend unemployment insurance benefits through the end of the year.

The state's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate stands at 8.7 percent compared with 5.9 percent a year ago.