We have to contact all our state and federal legislators NOW. The most recent extension to 79 weeks in California and elsewhere will be running out in a few weeks. One plan is to ask legislators to extend benefits until the end of the fiscal year in 2010 instead of just have week extensions. I hate unemployment benefits but until jobs start showing up we have to get the feds to help us out. Call and Write NOW so there isn't a gap.
The Unemployment Insurance system is outdated. It is designed for layoffs during normal times. Well these are not normal times. We are experiencing one of the worst times since the 1929 depression. Just giving the unemployed a 26 week regular benefit and 7 or 13 weeks of extended benefits does not hack it. Soon they run out of these few weeks of benefits and are right back were they started and facing losing their homes and starving to death. Then they must hope and pray Congress gets in gear soon enough to pass another benefit extension before the unemployed wind up under a bridge somewhere. Most Americans would rather be working then collecting unemployment. But when there are no jobs to speak of they have no other choice. There is not much chance of being hired when hundreds of people apply for one opening. Or when businesses like GM or Chrysler Corporation fold up and close dealerships across the nation. Or when jobs are outsourced to foreign countries. The Unemployment Insurance system needs an overhaul. They need to bring the system into the 21 Century. Contact your Congressmen, Assemblymen and President Obama and voice your opinion on this issue.
I have been under unemployment since february 2008, I feel horrible about asking for a 4th extension but there are no jobs out there, I hope a 4th extension comes to us. We really need it.
Unemployment May Rise to Record Levels Well Into 2010 According to the National Employment Law Project there is a severe crisis of job loss and accompanying surge in long term unemployment. “The evidence is strong that long-term unemployment will continue to rise to record levels throughout 2009 and into 2010, affecting a diverse swath of Americans struggling to get back to work and on their feet. Thus, this issue needs to remain a high priority for policy makers.”
Folks you are right, it is beginning to look like we need a fourth unemployment benefit extension. But we won't get it by sitting back and wishing for it. It will take action on our part. Contact your representatives in your state about this situation before you run out of your benefits. Contact your Congressmen, Assemblymen, Governors and Labor Unions. Send emails, faxes and phone calls. Also write letters to the Editors of local newspapers about the situation. Call in on talk radio shows and make people more aware of the situation.
I have been unemployed for almost 1 year. Prior to being unemployed, I was an insurance professional with an income excess of $91k (not including the annual bonus) per year. It has been difficult to say the least in trying to find a job. I have sent out dozens of resumes, networked, attended job fairs, and still nothing. I did not realize it would be this difficult. Unemployment has been a life line. It clearly does not pay all the bills, but, without it, I probably would have lost my home. I want desperately to find a job. Congress need to recognize that there are folks hurting, and obviously need help. But then again, they have jobs. For them, its politics as usual. Unemployment extensions have helped a lot of Americans. The big banks were helped when they needed it. My comment is why not help the average hard working American that has somehow fell on hard times due to this recession. I hope and pray that Congress with further extend unemployment benefits.
I agree!! They need to wake up! They think that things are better- well maybe they are getting that way but if you take away unemployment, everything that has been done, will be undone. What are we (society) your science project, a trial and error act? People are finally being able to pay their bills on time now. Therefore, companies are getting their money, and now have the money to pay new employees, in which will provide jobs to those who are drawling unemployment. But if you take away their unemployment then they get behind on their bills again- and the companies are not getting their money, so they can’t afford to pay their employees and then you have layoffs. Congratulation! Way to screw up us even more. However, on my behalf- this is the first time I have ever got unemployment and I hate they way I feel having too, but I have a house to run and mouths to feed. I could probably find a job making minimum wage (1256.60 gross, 1068.16 net) but it would not be beneficial, I would come up more in debt. I would have to work 2 weeks (500.00) just to pay child care and the other 568.00 is not going to cover rent and electric; much less diapers. Do they think about these things???? Yeah, there is subsidize child care, with a 2 year waiting list.
New Federal Unemployment Insurance Extensions (Updated December 22, 2009)en Español New action taken by the U.S. Congress and signed by President Obama on Saturday, December 19, 2009 will now enable more long-term unemployed workers to qualify for federal extension benefits. As part of the national Defense Appropriations bill, Congress has pushed back the filing deadline for unemployment extension claims from December 27 to February 21, 2010. This affects several aspects of the federal extension program and the impacts on claimants all depends on when someone started their regular UI claim and when they are set to exhaust their current benefits. For those who run out of all of their regular UI benefits, up to 26 weeks, on or before February 20, 2010, and remain unemployed and otherwise eligible, this new federal action will make you potentially eligible for the first extension or tier of unemployment benefits that provides up to 20 weeks of additional benefits. Eligibility for any further extension benefits beyond that will all depend on whether or not Congress decides to further push back the new extension deadlines. For those who run out of their first extension or tier of unemployment benefits, up to 20 additional weeks, on or before February 27, 2010, the new federal action will make you potentially eligible for the second tier of extension benefits. That second tier now provides up to an additional 14 weeks of benefits once someone fully exhausts the first tier extension. If someone remains unemployed and otherwise eligible, they will receive a notice and claim form from EDD upon the end of their first tier of extension and will be seamlessly moved into the second tier once EDD receives the claim form verifying eligibility. For those who run out of their second extension or tier of unemployment benefits, up to 14 additional weeks, on or before February 27, 2010, the new federal action will make you potentially eligible for the third tier of extension benefits approved in early November. That third tier provides up to an additional 13 weeks of benefits once someone fully exhausts their second tier extension. The first two-week claim form under this new third tier of extension benefits were sent out by EDD on Monday, December 14, 2009. The first two-week checks for third tier benefits were sent in the mail on Tuesday, December 15, 2009. If you believe you are already eligible for this third tier of extension and have not received your first two-week check by December 23, 2010, please use the online AskEDD method to send an e-mail inquiry to EDD. For those who run out of their new third extension of unemployment benefits, up to 13 additional weeks, on or before February 27, 2010, the new federal action will make a new fourth tier of extension benefits, also approved by the federal government in early November, available to eligible claimants. The fourth tier provides up to an additional six weeks of benefits once someone fully exhausts their third tier extension. In order to meet the newly revised filing deadline for the fourth tier, a claimant’s eligibility for the third tier would have to have started on or before November 15, 2009. Only then, for a vast majority of this group of long-term unemployed clients, would there be enough time to start a third tier extension and use all 13 weeks of additional benefits available before February 27, 2010, which is the deadline for starting a fourth tier of extension benefits. The new legislation enacted by the federal government does create the potential for a total of up to 99 weeks of unemployment benefits available to qualified unemployed workers. Contributing to that total is up to 20 additional weeks of benefits from a separate FED-ED extension program available to eligible claimants who run out of all other available extension benefits. However, only those who have been unemployed for a longer period of time, about a year-and-a-half or more will be eligible for the up to 99 weeks of benefits. Those more recently employed, who started a typical 26-week regular claim after August 16, 2009, will not be eligible for any extension benefits unless Congress takes further action again to extend the new filing deadlines. Please watch this Web site for further developments on the filing deadline and other UI-related issues. You can also sign up for our Twitter messages so you are alerted as soon as any new posting occurs. Extended Unemployment Benefits FAQs
This is what came out today: February 1, 2010 This is apart of the President's new budget... It doesn't look good as it states a decrease in Labor Department funds...
Agency: Labor Spending: $117.5 billion Percentage change from 2010: 43 percent decrease Mandatory Spending: $103.5 billion Highlights: The Labor Department would see a major drop in spending for its unemployment insurance programs. That's because the administration forecasts an economic rebound and expects fewer people to claim unemployment benefits. At the same time, the budget would boost funds to make the agency's job training programs more effective and find better ways to help young workers find jobs. The budget continues to increase spending for the department's worker protection agencies — including enforcement of workplace health, safety and wage laws — to return these programs to staffing levels that were in place in 2001, before the Bush administration began making cuts. The White House projects a savings of about $4 billion over 10 years by cracking down on states that make unauthorized unemployment insurance payments. It also projects saving $300 million over the next decade by targeting employers who evade unemployment taxes. The new crackdown will focus on employers who misclassify workers as independent contractors to avoid paying taxes. The department will identify certain industries where it believes worker misclassification is rampant and plans to increase audits to make sure taxes are being paid. The administration is starting a new program to automatically enroll workers in employer pension plans or other retirement accounts to encourage retirement savings. About 78 million Americans lack employer-based retirement plans outside the Social Security system. Employees could opt out of the program if they didn't want to participate, and small businesses would be exempt. _Sam Hananel
It is a shame that there are so many people that have become unemployed and that the government can't help in the job market. Just because Wall street looks good by climbing higher only shows that more people have become laid off to show higher profitability.
And how about the people who couldn't keep up with there student loans because they are now unemployed. Well so much for any retraining for a career that would help them get them off unemployment. I think that the answer would come by helping to retrain the people who really want to retrain for a career that has jobs in this marketplace today but doesn't have the resources to do so at this time.
I can only hope that we, as a country, can generate more jobs before next year and before this last chance unemployment extension is exhausted otherwise we are going to be in a worse off. All of the unemployed will be working for minimum wage because they will have no choice.
I can't be the only one wondering about that. I work periodically, but nothing to speak of. I keep calling the union hall and get the same news. To be fair, they call when they have something, but there just isn't anything out there really. Without the unemployment I don't know exactly what I will do. I really do have concerns about this. I can see a lot of people losing their homes without the additional aide.
I am trying to find out about the fourth Extension about 10. Days ago I finished my 3rd extension and it said on my last check that I was eligible for the next extension and it would be filed automatically and nothing is needed to be done on my side. Well its been 10 days and I haven't got nothing. My last check was 6/5/2010. Anyone no anything about this
I am getting pretty worried that another extension will not come in 2010. We live in NY. My husband's unemployment will run out in Jan. And I have not heard anything in terms of an extension for those in our situation- apparently there are over 1M people who are all in the same boat come Jan. Get on the ball already!!!!!!
I agree. I finally got the tier 3 extension in December only to be told, that instead of the 5 months that the senate and congress passed, that the state of Florida, was only going to give me two and a half months. Since it was a month behind when I got it; that meant that I would only have a month and a half left going forward. So I am almost out of money again. Do they live in a bubble? Don't these people realize how bad the economy is? I know that they really could care less. We are on our own here.
I was just informed The unemployment will run out for me on April 3rd 2010. I live in Sacramento Ca. We have a 12% unemployment rate and boy is it impossible to get even an interview for a Job I have applied for over 1000 jobs in the last year and have yet to talk to a HR person in person. I'm willing to work right now! Whatever happened to public works programs like building a dam or roads or bridges or power stations? America should invest in it's own infrastructure now. Maybe we could save some money for this by parking an aircraft carrier task force for maybe a month or two. Would the world attack the USA if we did that. I kinda doubt it. I'd rather work than just search for job and collect a check working keeps your body healthier and you mind more active.
I hope that it comes, I am alone and have no other person to support me when my unemployment runs out. I put out over 10 resumes a day and fill out applications for work wherever I go. It was never this bad. I don't want to live in the streets. Please pass the 4th or please give us a job.
My benefits expire on March 16th. I used my reg benefits and got my first extension in December. I have been out of work since June 2009. I was told that after March 16th, I am done with my benefits period. I don't no what I am going to do. I have 3 children to support and I am a single mother. I have sent my resume to almost 100 companies and have yet to receive a response.
There needs to be more extensions, people are in in desperate needs. There are record breaking robberies and people that can't eat and afford medications like myself. I am a diabetic and can't afford food and insulin. I am living in my car that is in repo stage. It's been very hard for me in this day. I have worked for the same Company for 14 years straight out of college and now I am thinking crime and any sort of other things to keep going. I'm am in tears again and it just so much sucks.
Congress is supposed to address the 2010 tier 4 extension when they come back from break on 2/22/2010, with senators quiting, that sends a very strong message that something is not right on capital hill. Also this bill is set to give employers a break for hiring unemployed workers??? Forgive my stupidity, but isn't one looking for a job usually unemployed. Anyway, who's to say say employers will hire people because of a tax break, for instance, restaurants depend on the working class to spend money in their establishment, hence the need to hire more staff. If no one is working, then no one is eating out, therefore no one is hiring! Its a vicious cycle, I know, but all we can do at this point is wait till 2/22/2010
It's called a savings account people, I don't feel sorry for you, you should have had one. People need to take responsibility for their situations, you are without a job, you don't have savings, well find something to do!! If you can't get a job volunteer, get out of the house and make the world a better place instead of living off other people. I'm sick of lazy people. If I lost my job I would take ANY temp job, babysitting job, anything that I could find.
We definitely need a fourth extension. I am a union electrician in Chicago, and I have been laid off for almost 2 1/2 years. I need another extension or I will lose everything. If they can afford to give the banks bailouts, then they need to do the same for the millions of unemployed.
I am wondering this myself in 5 weeks I have nothing no money coming in. I have been laid off due to lack of work two times since 2007. Have never been unemployed this long. The Unemployment office here in Georgia is not even asking for job sheets(where you indicate how many jobs you have searched for). I have never experienced this in my life time....
Hello,I have been on unemployment for a while I live in florida and it's the same ole song and dance. We are not hiring or your over qualified or any excuse not to hire you.What an employer is telling me is that I don't want you to work for me you are not the right look for us or go die anywhere but here. For that is what they're telling someone who can fill the position and is qualified whether over or slightly under, all companies have a probationary training period so when they make up excuses not to hire you for personal reasons. I just don't get this mentality, But anyway to all my fellow unemployed people out there trying to get back into the job market it will get better just don't give up.
They need to hurry n pass this extension my husband and I are struggling to have a roof over our heads n food for our three children with no food stamp benefits and now no income once again.... Just because their eating steak dinner every night and have a lot of money..... And say somebody owes the government money, the government will it get from you in a heartbeat but well they think people can just starve n become homeless taking there time to something a lot of families really need..
I agree also, I have been unemployed since Aug 2007, and have been on every job fair and posted 100's of resumes, there's nothing out there, we definitely need a 4th extension, with all these bad numbers coming out about the bad lay-offs, they should have just provided the 52 weeks for the remainder of the year, they know that it's impossible to find work now. I live in Ga and it's been so hard to get this (SEB) up and running, which mine will end the beginning of October, so if I'm not able to find anything I'm back in the same boat, if their going to provide a 4th extension, they need to get the ball rolling now.
It's wrong but I sympathize with people that get driven to desperation. My sisters car was stolen because the guy that stole it lost his job, couldn't find another job,couldn't pay rent and got his car repossed. He stole her car to try to drive out of state find a job in some other states. The only reason she got her car back was because she had low jack.
Agreed they do need to get the ball rolling on this now. Florida had a 4 month gap between the extension and most people who exhausted their claim. That should not happen again at least until there are jobs.
It is coming.It has passed. They are setting the system up to automatic set up payments for those going for the 4th extension. I think it will begin feb 1st
Actually babysitters make very good money...I have read all the comments and cannot believe all of you with no jobs and little money have internet access?? Guess life does have its priorities ...especially if someone else is paying!!
Is it possible that sen. Bunning has a medical disorder. Not a joke. His own party is keeping its distance. His statements over the last 18 mos. Seem to be out of character for this senior statesman.
