MADISON, Wis. -- Wisconsin officials are racing to send out unemployment checks following an extension in benefits approved by Congress earlier this week.

Department of Workforce Development Secretary Roberta Gassman said Friday that 8,000 checks were processed Thursday and another 20,000 will be done over the weekend. The department hopes to have checks mailed for all 69,000 people eligible by the end of the month.

"I want to thank people who are on unemployment for the patience that they've had. We know it has been very, very challenging. Unemployment insurance is a lifeline for our workers," Gassman said.

The benefits are available retroactively to June 2.

Those who have been filing claims regularly will be processed first, while those who think they may qualify are urged to fill out an application.

Unemployed people can receive up to 99 weeks of benefits.

Those interested in more information on unemployment claims can visit this website or call 800-494-4944.