COLUMBIA, S.C. (WACH / AP) -- The state's unemployment agency says about 29,000 South Carolinians will stop receiving jobless benefits at year's end as federally funded extensions expire.

The state Department of Employment and Workforce sent a reminder Tuesday that payments to those in the federal program will stop by Jan. 3. The agency says that means the loss of $6.2 million weekly.

Anyone filing for unemployment insurance after Dec. 29 will be eligible only for the maximum under state law of 20 weeks of benefits paid by employers.

Unemployed South Carolinians had qualified for up to 78 weeks of payments thanks to two different federally paid extensions. One of those expired in April. A law passed by Congress in February phased out the other.

Congress initially approved those 42 weeks of emergency benefits in 2008.

Authorities say the program was created to assist individuals who have exhasted regular state benefits.

A report released by the unemployment agency estimates that more than 2,500 people will be affected in Richland County and more than 1,000 people could be affected in Lexington County.

Affected claimants are encouraged to take advantage of free resources in local SC Works centers and online.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)