The number of weeks of federally funded unemployment benefits available under the Extended Benefits program will fall to six beginning Oct. 10, according to an update from the state Division of Employment Security.

The program currently provides 9.6 weeks. The number is dropping because of a decline in the state’s unemployment rate, DES said.

The state’s unemployment rate fell from from 8.5% in July to 6.5% in August.

The federal extended benefits are available to people who have exhausted their regular benefits during periods of high unemployment. People who have used 12 weeks of state unemployment benefits — the maximum North Carolina allows — and 13 weeks of Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation may be eligible.

The number of weeks of Extended Benefits available is also tied to the number of weeks of state benefits available. North Carolina and Florida offer the shortest maximum regular benefit duration in