(Indianapolis, Ind.) - The state is placing armed guards at its 36 unemployment offices around Indiana. 

The Fort Wayne Journal Gazette reports Indiana Department of Workforce Development spokesman Marc Lotter as saying there were no specific incidents prompting the action. 

The federal jobless benefit extension will start expiring in early December unless Congress acts. 

"Given the upcoming expiration of the federal extensions and the increased stress on some of the unemployed, we thought added security would provide an extra level of protection for our employees and clients," said Lotter.

The state had placed armed guards at some unemployment offices in the past, but handled the situation regionally. 

The guards will be paid $16 an hour.