DENVER--- -- President Barack Obama signed the $787 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act into law Tuesday in Denver.

The economic rescue plan will increase payments and extend benefits for the unemployed.

Under the plan, unemployment paychecks will go up $25 a week, paid with federal funds.

The stimulus pushes back the deadline to apply for extended benefits.

The unemployed typically receive 26 weeks of unemployment insurance. The federal government recently added 20 additional weeks but it was set to expire in March. Now, the jobless can qualify for up to 46 weeks through Dec. 31.

In Colorado, the jobless rate currently hovers around 6 percent.

If the number holds, Coloradoans could qualify for even more benefits. The state said they wouldn't know that until March when the next numbers come out.

People at the City of Denver's workforce center said they were relieved to hear the government would be helping them but said the real issue is jobs.

Many said they are optimistic but Barbara Bradford said she has been unemployed since August and things aren't looking up. She continues to collect her $319 a week unemployment check and is barely holding on to her home. Bradford used to bring in $2,600 a month.

"The extra $25 is great but its still not enough to make ends meet. I live at the bare minimum," said Bradford.