(AP) — Senate Democrats said Thursday they have reached a deal to extend unemployment insurance benefits to the nearly 2 million jobless workers across the country who are in danger of running out of assistance by the end of the year.

The agreement would give an additional 14 weeks of benefits to jobless workers in all 50 states. Workers in states with an unemployment rate at 8.5 percent or above would receive six weeks on top of that.

States offer 26 weeks of benefits, with the average payment about $300 a week. With federal help, including several measures in the economic stimulus package passed last February, the unemployed in states hardest hit by the recession can receive up to 79 weeks of assistance.

The proposal also contains a provision allowing families receiving food stamps to remain eligible while receiving an additional $25 per week.