Washington’s extended unemployment benefits program for laid-off workers who have exhausted other unemployment benefits is likely to end next month, the Washington State Employment Security Department said Tuesday.

The U.S. Department of Labor makes the official determination whether extended benefits will continue, based upon unemployment rate figures to be announced Dec. 19.

“Preliminary forecasts indicate that the unemployment rate will not be high enough for Washington to continue to qualify for extended benefits,” Employment Security Commission Sylvia P. Mundy said.

The change could affect more than 26,000 state residents.