BY CHARLES BABINGTON
WASHINGTON — The Obama administration is considering steps to ease the burdens of laid-off workers, including possible extensions of unemployment and health benefits, officials said Saturday.
The administration has stopped short of calling for a second economic stimulus package to augment the $787 billion measure approved this year. But with the jobless rate continuing to climb, President Barack Obama said Saturday he is exploring "additional options to promote job creation."
Administration aides said possibilities include:
_extending enhanced unemployment-insurance benefits beyond Dec. 31, when they are set to expire.
_extending a tax credit for laid-off workers who buy health insurance through the COBRA program. That program allows workers to keep their company's health insurance plan for 18 months after they leave their job, if they pay the premiums.
_extending a tax credit for first-time home buyers. This credit also is set to expire soon.
The administration has discussed these possibilities with congressional leaders, officials said, but no decisions have been made.
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