CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Thousands of people in North Carolina will lose unemployment benefits on Saturday.
The state's unemployment rate has improved to the point where residents no longer qualify for a federal 20-week extension.
State officials estimate 17,000 unemployed workers will be affected.
Andre McKoy filed for unemployment for the first time on Friday.
The ending of the federal program worried him.
"I'm used to working," McKoy said. "I'm not used to sitting around and wondering if I'll get some benefits. I'm used to taking care of my family and myself."
State officials say the federal benefits cost about $5 million each week.