WASHINGTON (AP/L.A. Times) -- The Senate has voted to give the jobless up to 20 weeks of additional unemployment benefits and significantly expand a tax credit program aimed at getting buyers back into the dormant housing market.

The strong Senate vote for the legislation is a recognition that the government still needs to do more to keep the economic recovery from faltering. If enacted, workers in some of the harder-hit states would be eligible for nearly two years of benefits, a record.

According to the Los Angeles Times, if the bill becomes law, it will extend the $8,000 homebuyer credit to April 30, add a $6,500 tax credit for existing homeowners who have lived in their current home for five or more years and want to move up.

According to The Times, homes purchased for $800,000 or less are eligible for the tax credits, and qualifying incomes have been upped to $125,000 for individuals and $225,000 for those who file their taxes jointly.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. Information from The Los Angeles Times was used in this report.)