There are major changes in place for people looking for work through the state employment system in Mississippi.

As of this week Mississippians can apply for unemployment at home by using the Internet.

With unemployment figures in our area about three times higher than they were this time last year, Shirley Gaines, acting manager for Meridian's WIN Job Center, says this will save clients time.

"But we also have another system called Intranet Filing, where they can come in to the local WIN Job Center. We have a resource center full of computers and they can come in and use our computers," Gaines said.

Officials say the process is easy and usually takes about 15 minutes. After accessing the Web site, follow the prompts and answer a few questions. A link to the Web site of the Mississippi Department of Employment Security is provided below.

Within seven days of applying for unemployment, you must physically go into the WIN Job Center and file for a job in order to even be considered to receive unemployment benefits.

"It usually takes about two or three weeks before a person can get a debit card and begin to use a debit card," Gaines said.

The maximum amount of unemployment that can be received in Mississippi is $230 a week.

President Bush and Gov. Haley Barbour approved some extensions for unemployment recently. Under the new measures, people who qualify may now received benefits for up to one year or longer.