AUGUSTA (AP) — Maine officials say that about 4,000 Mainers could lose unemployment benefits next month.

The Department of Labor says that recipients of Extended Unemployment Compensation will lose their benefits Dec. 28 unless it’s extended by Congress.

Republican Gov. Paul LePage said Maine residents who rely on the benefits need to make financial plans now. He says the state’s Labor Department has resources to help Mainers find jobs.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Mike Michaud said the program provides additional federal benefits to people who have exhausted benefits from state programs.

Michaud is co-sponsoring a bill to extend EUC for another year and urging his colleagues to work an extension into the budget deal.