Unemployment Benefits Extended To 99 Weeks

LOS ANGELES (YBH) - With an estimated 15.7 million Americans out of work and an unemployment rate of 10 percent, Washington is addressing the job needs of the unemployed with a jobless benefit extension. In November, the Senate and House passed a bill to extend federal jobless benefits 14 weeks extra for Americans in all 50 states who face benefit cessation before year-end. If you live in a state where unemployment is 8.5 per cent or higher, you can get 20 weeks extra.

Government Extends Benefits

It all adds up to a potential 99 weeks, almost two years on unemployment. The benefits will be paid for by an extension of a set-to-expire payroll tax on employers. Studies have shown the longer a person is out of work, the lower their chances of finding work, or settling for a lower-paying job. State by state benefits vary widely, as low as $320 a week in Missouri, as high as $628 a week in Massachusetts. In continental Europe and the U.K., benefits top out at 18-24 months, with demonstration of job-seeking a requirement as the clock ticks down. France and Germany offer 57-67 per cent of the unemployed person’s salary, while in the U.K., the benefit amounts to about $110 a week.

An estimated 2.3 million people are on permanent “incapacity” in the U.K., collecting the benefit indefinitely due to medical reasons such as depression.

Laura spent years as a Hollywood story analyst, did a big 180, and is now an entrepreneur focused on web marketing and analytics. She's also a mom of one.

Laura Glendinning article archive.

Post Published: 08 December 2009
Found in section: News and Analysis

Editer42
Yes, but, however, the way Congress passed the measure, literally nobody will get the full 20 week extension. The lawmakers made the new extension effective Nov. 8, with 14 weeks that needed to be exhausted by the end of the year – a span of just eight weeks – before the six additional weeks for hardest hit states could go into effect. And nobody can exhaust 14 weeks in an eight-week period. Good move politically, but worthless as hell.

Prs
Yes, but, what about people like me? My first 26 weeks worth of benefits run out in the middle of June, several weeks after the cut off for any extensions. Is it fair that some people get 99 weeks and we only get 26. I'm just as layed off as they are.
Missy
I live in Missouri. I only got 59 weeks. They say our unemployment is 9.5 per cent. What 99 weeks? You try making ends meet on 125 dollars a week, and find a job at 54 years old. At least some people must still be getting it.

heidi
This is the most absurd information I think I've seen yet on this subject. I live in Kansas, where it has been virtually impossible to reach a live person in their call centers. YOu hold for hours to be be disconnected for no reason, other than "too many people are already holding please visit our website for more infromation". The website advises you that forms to extend your benefits were being mailed the first week of December and must be returned by the December the 26th deadline. Today I was lucky enough to reach a live person that proceeded to tell me that NO FORMS have been mailed and at this time no information is available other than all extentions are set to expire at the first of the year. Do they know how many Kansans will lose there homes, their utilities, including phone and internet–the most accepted way to submit job resumes and applications??? What a slap in the face to those of us that have been patiently waiting for a non exsistent form and that have been holding off landlords, creditors, utilitiy companies etc. with the understanding that help, although delayed is on the way.

jboy
thats because no one cares about kansas
pittyparty
It's rarely mentioned, but you make a great point. When people lose their internet access, they may as well lose their life. It will be impossible for people who lose benefits or those who exhaust 99 weeks, to continue a reasonable job search or acquire information about the job market or extended benefits.
tom
same here, kansas lay off is for the dogs, they ought yo hire the laid of peopl to help them with the phones, good time to try is Friday and cross your fingers.

Mark
What about Cobra benefits? That's what I'm waiting to hear about…

Julie
your health Ins. plan from your last Job, but it will cost you money to.

Guest
Unemplyement for life with depression? I'm there!!!!!!!

Julie
Me to ;{ i'M A 99ER I'm losing everything I work so hard for.

http://intensedebate.com/people/sandyjo53 sandyjo53
When all these extensions for unemployment and all the food stamp money,welfare,heap,cash for caulking,cash for clunkers and all of this comes crashing down and the paper money runs out, and china no longer will back us this country is going to be in one huge mess, more then we are now and we all will be hurting,I guess that's what Obama meant about spreading the wealth.yes we can,change you can believe in…..he should call it spreading the poverty!
But there is the old stand by…Bush did it!

BeatrixKiddo
Well, Bush did do it. Obama's already taking responsibility for it, must he take the blame as well?!

Check Reality
Bush did not do it all government did way back to Clinton. You need to get the facts when lay offs were really happening and China taking over. It sure was not Bush and a democrat was involved, all the Presidents have been bad but Obama is a socialist and only helps himself, he was a terrible child growing up even his mother could not control the controller.

LeTutankhamen
China is a socialist country and has our back? Think about it. If the oil spill did not teach us anything about the sole concern being the bottom line, nothing else will.
Double U
The Bush's did do it ,this go back way before The Clinton Admin. This mess started with Senior Bush, and then Jr. Bush Finished it. In fact made the situation worse then what it was. If it isn't broke don't fix it, bcuz when you try to fix things that aren't broken it crumbles. Literally after 9/11 that's what actually happened, this is why this Country is in a collosal financial situation. The Rich gets Richer, The Middle Class gets Poor, and The Poor gets Poorer (Nothing).
Wat the Fuk Eva
DOUBLE U SHUT THE F*#K. EVERYONE CARE ABOUT THERE SELF DUMMY. THE W.O.R.L.D IS S.E.L F.I.S.H MAINLY GOVERNMENT POLITICAL LEADE AND

Julie
BUSH did do it. I bet you voted for him!

skaz
sandyjo do you do ANY thinking for yourself at all? or have you just surrendered all of your brain to Rush Limbaugh

nick
so you don't think it's a problem to just keep spending money without a plan to pay it back, skaz? i think that unemployment extensions are a good idea because there is no alternative. the economy may get worse overall without them. but the way you responded to sandy's legit concern about the spending, skaz, suggests you either dont realize, or can't comprehend the liability and overall danger of greatly increased debt
Craig
sandy thinks fine. Rush not needed to see what is happening. But, do you surrender to 'Bush did it, but now Obama is in charge, all is fine' sentiment? Unless the law is changed, he will only be president up to 2016, then hold on skaz, someone else will be in charge. Does that frighten you? Will you demand the law limiting Presidential terms be overturned so you can keep Obama around making you feel good?

ginny
I am not a big fan of these endless extensions. I do not believe that anyone should be getting unemployment for two years. Really, by the time it gets that far, I doubt they are looking anymore. I would never reach two years unemployment a si would take whatever lousy job I had to take just to be doing something. I have, however, been unemployed since the beginning of July. I have faith that I will find something, but in this economy, 26 weeks is not enought time. My 26 weeks state benefits run out on January 3rd. After that I get nothing. It is absolutely ridiculous that out government coddles some people for two years, but hey, if you gt laid off a week to late, tough luck. I do beleive that in this economy and job market, there does need to be federal extensions. But they should be equitable – not two years for some people and nothing for all the rest. The lazy asses who don't really want to work can sit there collecting for two years, while those of us who are trying are hung out to dry after our state benefits run out. It is hard to believe how bad a job they did with these extensions.

Beth
What a self righteous b@#$$. How dare you label anyone as being lazy ass. Why don't you shove it up yours.
christine
No one who is unemployed wants to be in this situation. I have been without work for over 2 1/2 years and i am by no means "a lazy ass" as you call it. Despite the numerous applications that i have put in and all the interviews ive been too, NO ONE IS HIRING. Please keep your nasty comments to yourself.

business owner
i am an employer in pa. BUDDY,, YOU HAVE NO IDEA WHAT THE HELL YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT !!!! i posted a job in the paer for 1 day and i had 30 apps ! so if you can't say anthing nice, keep it to yourself.

Nearly Homeless
Ginny, what about those that have worked for more than 20 years and bang you are out of an income? In today's economy, even those that have saved at least six months or more, POOF gone. If you don't work you don't get UI. So let's keep the illegals here, continue to push our wages down, eliminate English (already is in process) provide illegals whatever they need at no cost AND let's put our own on the street! YAY! That makes perfect sense! By the way, we are the only western country in the world that does not offer FREE / updating unemployed new job skills to improve or change careers to reduce unemployed and one of the WORSE in the world for POOR health insurance, based on the number of unemployed and outrageous premiums.
Mark
#$%K Y&^ Ginny. You can't speak for the populace sweet cheeks.
hmmmmm
Ginny, Unemployment in Illinois is at its worst since August 1983, 11.3 Percent unemployment in January 2010. Illinois has lost 407,000 jobs since the recession began in December 2007. I have more then 600 resumes/job applications submitted through out the USA over the past 9 month. I own a home and have not been able to pay my mortgage on unemployment. I am still living in the house taking one day at a time. I am a SINGLE income so taking any job would NOT pay the rent. Furthermore, I have applied for jobs outside of my field, offering up to half of what I originally made. At this point, I need all the help I can get from the government and I DO NOT consider this LAZY nor do I feel pampered by the government. I have been a tax payer my WHOLE life. The money I get from unemployment pays the minimal of everything and I am still unable to pay any form of rent. Basically, if my home is taken away I am facing being homeless. I have done everything in my power to find employment, spending at times 15 hours a day focused on just looking for work. This is a lot worse then ANY of us would have anticipated. Take a look at where the spending went.

hmmmmm
Continue……..I have looked at government spending and most of the money went to state and local government initiatives NOT the private sector. That would mean that most of the benefit is passed onto those that already have jobs with state and local government, not the unemployed and not the private sector. Most of the programs which the government poured funds into did not create jobs because the money is to be spent over the course of 10 years. I have tried and tried and tried to get a State or local government job but they are posting jobs where there are NO OPENINGS. I have called the government agencies and it was confirmed that the job which are posted are not for current opening, instead for possible future openings. They are creating a false sense of hope. I have met with local government career counselor and when I asked the question about job openings, she replied that new jobs had not been created. They are all merely paper pushing and going through the motions in the event jobs will be created. I am also looking at the private sector but without tax incentive to employers they are less likely to create jobs too. Many companies are under staffed and will remain this way until they start making money.

hmmmmm
continue……..Please don't be bashing people as if the jobs are there when clearly the jobs are NOT there. We are all in the same boat and it doesn't help to punish most for some who have stopped looking. It takes a lot out of me to keep it positive so I can make the best impression possible if and when I do get a call for a job. I have a degree and can't find work, now imagine what it is like for someone that does not have a higher education. It must truly be discouraging. People are begging for jobs, NOT a government handout! Another thing apparent to me, is how those whom have not been impacted economically through job loss, have NO CLUE what it's like being jobless in this economy. I have had individuals say things to me like why don't you get any job, as if I have NOT already gone down that route. HOW VERY IGNORANT! to imply that one would NOT have already considered working any job or even two jobs. It certainly does not help that hundreds of people are applying to the same single opening.

Reality
Tell that to the 50 year olds whom got caught up in this whole mess. Too young to retire and too old to be hired. I myself have tons of experience with college and it does no good. I went on crap interviews only 7 and 3 second interviews and got nowhere. I even would take $10 and hour but no help. I resorted to taking some experience and education off my resume to see if that would help for the poverty wage. Let us see if you are 50 or over, maybe 40 they too are hurting finding work at that age.

Craig
yep. middle age is tough. I'm feeling it.

john
well the $8 hr job doesnt pay for my house, and kids, car payments, braces, if I can split myself in 3 I can work 3 jobs full time
ms. owens
Hey a–h—-, it wasn't our idea to get laid off 2 years ago either, and good luck on that issue of digging s— to survive. How is that working for you?
Julie
CODDLES??????????? I'm a 99er and let me say…WERE all in the same sinking ship, it's just taken me a little bit longer to lose everything I WORK SO HARD for. WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE CALLING US " LAZY ASSES" !!! undereducated IS WHAT I call YOU Ginny!!
David
Dear Ginny: Try being 57 and out of work for over a year? You have NO idea what they are doing to us. They are elieminating the middle class, period!
I have 3 engineering degrees and I am being offered $16.00 an hour. I have a 21 year old daughter in college. How in Gods name can I survive without extended benifits. I send out 3 to 6 aplications a day and no takers. Then on top of everything I have you call me a LAZY ASS. Lets see where you are at in another 26 weeks!
jay
Shuuuttt theeeeee f*@k Up geeze. Who cares what you not to fond off people STTILL getting it. Now What
Jesse
Ginny, I too believe in hard work and making your own way in life. However, there can come a time when even the most RESPONSIBLE of persons needs a helping hand. In the case of 'unemployment', we live in an unprecedented time something close to the "Great Depression", if not, getting there very quickly!. As a result, drastic times call for sometimes drastic steps; meaning, our government bailing it's own people out, or at least helping them out longer then under a normal or close to a normal economy.
I am one of those '99 week unemployment people". NO!! I have not got to the point where all I want to do is "sit on my butt" and collect underemployment benefits for the rest of my life, especially since my former job allowed me the luxury of spending over $5000 a year on vacations all over our country with first class accommodation, and that's just for starters. I would take my former 85K a year job back in a minute, or at this point, half or a forth of that to say good-bye to unemployment where I am struggling to make my house payment and have now used all of my retirement to survive to this point.
I am not sure where people like yourself are coming from, but unemployment benefits is NOT the key to a 'rich, easy street future'. When you are down to selling off one of your cars ( and both are very old and not worth a lot) and a good part of your coin collection like me, you're hitting rock bottom. Everyday I go through the pains of not being able to find a job and in the interim, cheering for a President that I did not vote for to get me another unemployment extension just to give me hope.
As a terribly sick person from birth and throughout most my life, I never gave up hope that I would be able to leave disability and other 'hand-out' programs. But I did! And at 42 years old I received my degree in Aerospace Engineering and landed a job with one of the premiere Aerospace Company's in the world. I am certainly not giving up for a lifetime of unemployment sir and I think I speak for the majority of those of us who are in my situation in saying so. The people you are referring too, are very much in the minority and a very small minority at that. They were probably making very little as an employed person to begin with. So therefore, being on unemployment for them is not that much different when they were working.
So Ginny, please don't be so short-sighted, insensitive and totally uninformed which has lead you to over simplified brash statements. None of us unemployed are counting our benefit dollars making plans for our next trip to France or wherever. We are truly counting our benefit money struggling still to make home payments, car payments, tuition payments and in many situations, wondering where our next meal is coming from.

Don
Ginny? you are in the same boat and yet you spout the same cr4p as the rich people. You just wait, you will indeed still be unemployed, despite all of your effort, after 2 years. In case you didnt notice, while your eyes were held tightly closed, but there are 10 people looking for every job opening and its getting worse. Good luck to you and your self-righteousness, I sure hope you do not starve to death. You could always eat the high horse you are riding around on.

hmmmmm
Well put!

Frank Rizzo
Agreed…

Andrew
I agree I have a BA I am in school for my masters I have skills and experience I have just hit 99 weeks I never thought I would but they should extend it so we can work we love our jobs heck I though the company i used to work for would be ready for me now its not our fault the economy sucks. And since you went there F*%# you for calling us all lazy ass's I have been hitting the streets networking, resume building hitting up recruiting temp temp to hire4 and of course car sales and fast food they are all tough to get right now. Just you wait you may be eating your words.

Don
I see when its others it is coddling but when its you it is a much needed benefit? You are a contradiction wrapped inside of an uniformed shell. I pity you and your narrow view of the world. We gave an "endless" supply of money to rich bankers, whom have not worked their entire lives! Poor or hurting folks are NOT the problem in this situation, we all worked diligently making the fat rich cats fatter and fatter, all while they trimmed our incomes and benefits to further their profits. We live check to check and they make 3 decades worth of income a year! You need to take a sober real look at what happened. And by the way Sandyjo53…… BUSH DID DO IT.

Nate
Don, I was so upset after reading ginny's narrow minded and hypocritical post I felt I had to write a response but you hit the nail on the head!
Craig
ahh, no one president did it. And Congress always helps, they are well intentioned, but with unexpected outcomes. Like this job mess.
Double U
Way to go Don, you said a mouthful. I totally agree.

pete
my oc date is june 22nd…. means i´m azzed out after 26 weeks (missed an extension because of 1 week… june 15th)
do any of you know if hr 4183 may change that cutoff date?
carole
Pete, a simple answer is yes.
The cut off dates are based on ARRA funding, which cuts off at year end.
HR 4183 would extend that date. Basically counting backwards from the week of 12/27/09, is what determines the cutoff. This is not a matter of some people being "more entitled" than others, it's the simple logistic of the deadline date vs. the time you have left to claim another Tier. You can not enter a new Tier after the year ends, you can only continue to collect the Tier you're on, until it exhausts (UNLESS the deadline is extended) Extending that deadline would move the cut off dates accordingly.
Ginny? the "lazy asses" (as you can them) got laid off at the height of the recession. They were living on a couple of hundred dollars a week while YOU were still collecting your salary and benefits. They lost benefits, homes, and self esteem while you were still collecting a paycheck. I wish you luck in your job search, but I also hope you are able to find compassion for those who have it harder than you, especially at this time of year.
Deb
I believe that since unemployment hit 9 to 10.2 % during this past summer, and into fall it is unfair that we are getting cut-off while others were given so much more. I think it would be fair to say we all need extensions at this point in time. I was laid off in June and will not be eligible for anything in Texas because I exhaust on the 26th and the cut-off is the 20th, so it must vary by a week or so from state to state. James McDermott (D-WA state) wrote HR 4183 in hopes of extending not only those into the extended Tiers, but also to expand those at the state level moving forward. It is up to Pelosi and Reid to see that the bill gets voted on before they go on holiday. McDermott's office said they cannot stress enough the importance of contacting your Federal Reps to see that this gets done. So get on the phone and contact your Congress and Senate Reps NOW!!!! 3,000,000 people will be without benefits in January alone if this extension is not passed right away. It is fairly safe to say moving forward each month will probably provide that amount of ineligible recipients. PLEASE CONTACT YOUR REPS TODAY OR MONDAY!!!!
NancyFl
I am ending tier 2 of unemployment.. I am63 years old- not lazy, just cant find a job.__My husband lost his job also and due to no Cobra 65% off we have lost medical Insurance.__I was supposed to claim my last week on tier 2 on Dec29th ( for the week ending Dec26th ) and roll right into __Tier 3– I live in Florida– But__Due to the new bill, Florida added 1 extra week ( the 14th week) to my tier 2- MAKING ME UNABLE TO GET TIER 3. Without tier 3 we may be homeless. We need help..we have no assets- Any ideas to help.__

http://aol maryann
iam unemployed also. i live in florida. iam not lazy what iam collecting is all my money i put into unemployment since iam 16 yrs old. it my money to begin with. so thats for nothing from our goverment

Jen in CA
YOU actually don't put money into Unemployment. Your EMPLOYER does. My husband and I have unemployed since October. I worked in the Human Resourses industry up until then and it is very common for employees to think they put money into Unemployment but the funds are from employer taxes paid into State Unemployment (SUTA) Federal Unemployment (FUTA) which you will not see deducted from your check.

NancyFl
I have written to Senator Lemieux and Senator Ted Deutch today as soon as I found this out. ( They changed my Balance to add the week last night and unemploymenr confirmed today that I will not get an extention because of that.- Great Christmas present)__I also called Govenor Charlie Christs office and his staff he would do nothing, it was up to unemployment- __Great- they would not even listen!__We must get them to change these dates. Florida is a very hight unemployment rat- over 10% and the most your weekly benefit can be is $275.00– This is barely living money – so to GINNY, no we do not want to be unemployed- Could you pay all your bills on $275.00 a week– no But it helped us kep a roof over our heads.__That 14th week placed on the very end of my Tier 2 really made a mess out of my life. I widh we never got it and aI would have gone to tier 3.
http://intensedebate.com/people/TGATP TGATP
I am in the same boat Nancy. This NY Tier system is blatantly unfair. With the new extension, my 2nd Tier of 20 weeks was wiped out. I thought I had those 20 weeks in addition to the new extension. It is not right that some folks are getting 93 weeks in NY and others 60, 46, and 26 depending on when they were made unemployed. Everyone should just get the same amount of time. My unemployment only pays the rent and is the only thing between me out on the street!

upstateGuy
Absolutely!!!! People who have been on unemployment the longest are those who receive additional weeks??..this is complete garbage and makes no sense. I don't know..maybe if enough of us complain??…Loudly!!!
New York Darling
It seems like some of us in New York and definitely getting the short end of it. I think there should be some equity. It seems like those of us who got laid off later when there was higher unemployment are getting the least….you have to love New York !!!!!!

http://intensedebate.com/people/TGATP TGATP
Well at least with the new extension it seems more of us are eligible. The doomsayers are now claiming that unemployment will be up and wages low for another decade! It is all about creating your own job at this point and not counting on someone else to hire you especially for those 40+.

PepsiLover2
God is in control people! You can not put your faith in Congress nor that so called guy people voted in! It is unfair that some states get more then others and people who have been unemployed longer are eligible for more tiers. You can only call your senator and complain. This country was founded on God so I say if we all would come together and pray, you would see a differance…..Oh yeah and Merry Christmas to you all! It is what you make it. I am also only days away from being homeless but I pray and set my eyes on the Lord….

Bre,fl
Everything will be ok PepsiLover2 it is in God's hand and he will not put more on you then you can bare I'm going to keep you in my prayers god will see you through just keep the faith…stay blessed from bre fl…

mrbufalo
I am so blown away by that last comment that all I can respond with is "OH MY GOD!!!!)
mrbufalo
OK I have recovered enough to post a few words (my first ever blog). 'This country "founded on God" condoned slavery for over 100 years, still is battling racism, slaughtered a nation of Native Americans to take their land and participated in global expansion (slaughtering and stealing the land of other people) along with the european nations. Is this the "god founded nation" we should try to be? The United States (as well as european nations) have come to the aid of many in international and natural emergencies. I am proud of my country but willing to look at its faults as well. Perhaps you would be more informed if you would also "set your eyes on the facts and the truth" as well as "on the Lord". PS He is not "that so called guy people voted in!" He is the President of the United States of America!

MsRR
Bravo mrbufalo bravo!!! 'that so called guy"?????? At least our current President can focus on a domestic issue instead of having tunnel vision on the "war on terror" that we endured for 8 years!!! As flawed as the extensions may be I am hopeful that the dates will be examined and the extensions will be granted to all.

Will777
It does make sense that the people unemployed the longest received the added weeks, because their checks were running out, while the rest of us had until at least December. Carole is right, it's all about the deadlines. TGATP's issue arises because Congress didn't push the dates out when they added the extensions. HR 4183 is meant to fix that, and once it is passed, we should all qualify for the extensions. I support our President and Congress in doing what they can to keep food on our tables. Let's all work together to help our fellow Americans in their time of need, regardless of our own economic or political backgrounds. Please ask your Representatives to support HR 4183.

Shelby
Do you think it will pass Will? I am very scared. I have been trying so hard to no avail. So I enrolled in a class through EDD while looking to better my chances and get the self righteous off my ass that I am not. I am doing all humanly and legally possible. I don't need to be told I am going to either starve or forced back home to family on hands and knees while I did not put myself in this situation nor ask to stay.

Rob
Millions of people are in the same boat, with UI Claims due to expire 1-7 days after the extension date has passed. Unfortunately, several ignorant "conservative" politicians are doing their best to defeat or delay H.R. 4183 which was proposed by Democrats the first week of December. No doubt I'll lose my home to this.
(http://washingtonindependent.com/69933/study-mill…
Brian
I am ending my first 20 Fed. Ext. I will file for my last week on 12/27/09. My last pay stud will say week end ending 12/20/09. When i file it will say for week of 12/26/09. The unemployment office said i would qualify for the next tier. Mr. obma was so proud when he Announce unemployment would be ext. for 14 plus 6. Did he really even unstand the lack of impact this would have. I have been out of work sense 01/26/09. I was in the machine tool industry. NO ONE HAS THE MONEY FOR CAPITAL EQUIPMENT. NO ONE WANTS TO RISK THE INVESTMENT. Can you blame them. My skills are Electrical controls / Hydraulic i can fabicate assemble weld and troubleshoot. S0 for all you rightous people who think people don't want work. F OFF
Shelby
All of this is making literally ill with fear. I am in CA where the unemployment is over 12% I have been seeking work duitifully and I won't exhaust my initial parent claim until January. What are all of us that lost our jobs around that time supposed to do? It is not fair, I do not expect to be coddled but you cannot have it set up so that some have been collecting for so long while now plenty of us only had a few months and then nothing at all?
Not to mention, a good portion of my time unemployed has been at the most difficult time of year to get a new job. Companies are not hiring at the end of the year.. When are they going to get in their and vote and what other options do we have in mean time. I have been working since I was a teenager and now in my early 30s. All of this is a bit much for me to understand or bear

Neil
Shelby I am right there with you. I have been working since I was 13 and I am coming up on my 42nd birthday. I have been out of work since March 2009 and have submitted my resume so many times that it is sickening!. I was not even able to get a job at a convienence store for god's sake! For those who think people don't want to work and just want to collect a check those people need to take a look at themselves, are they jeaslous that they are not collecting a check and have to work? I think not because this is NOT fun at all.

Neil
Talk about something being depressing. Being unemployed and asking family for money and other help is not fun so those who think we are lazy God help you when you find yourself in our position and maybe they will have a different attitude. I am currently receiving extended benefits which begain in October for me, (33 weeks her in MD) I hope I don't lose them and that I still can collect after the 31st of Dec. I will be writing my congressman to support and push through HB 4183 before year end for all out there that needs it to happen before Jan 1, 2010. I wish us all luck and can only offer words of encouragement everyone please don't give up this will work out for us hopefully well before we starve or find ourselves sleeping on the streets.
Shelby
I hear you oh so well Neil! I am tired of those that patronize and suggest perhaps I am not lowering myself enough! I don't know how it is people have these assumptions any jobs these days regardless of the shit economy are easy to come by. There is this notion you can just get one if you tried. What? You know the jobs that are only paying the same as unemployment if not a bit less DO NOT WANT ME. Even the PART TIME TEMP RETAIL have you do several tiers of interviews, including an online screening survey, taking your photo, tests, etc. etc. Hello wake up, fast food places, retail etc if you don't have experience and are not a teenager are not there to keep those of us who lost our jobs from starving they are there also to make money and in hard times when people shop and buy less they will hire teens or part time people they don't have to pay a few dollars more or time and energy to train or or benefits. I tried. I am with every temp agency you can imagine. I get same routine. wow great resume, education. You scored above average on your tests. We will call you. They don't so I badger them hoping they will get me anything. Nada. Or I get a temp assignment and the funds get yanked after a week. Not fun. You think anyone would elect to have barely enough to get by and have to turn to their family or UI? NO. But I yes do need to keep a roof over my head, food in my belly, cleanliness/tolietries and my car so I can get to any potential Job or interview. To anyone who think there is slacking that is the minority. THere will always be those. But I don't assume all those who are wealthy are heartless and what not…it is not fair to lump all of us together
Deb
Good news! The defense bill passed, which included extending unemployment beneftis out by two months. This will move the date from end of Dec. to end of Feb. as soon as President Obama signs it, which is expected to be right way! They are trying to avoid resetting the computers, mail-outs, etc in each state, which would incur much more cost. Thank God for snow-ins! A lot can get accomplished!! As the ysay, everything happens for a reason!

Shelby
what a relief. That will give many people some confidence going into new year rather than fear and terror.
I was laid off in July. Aside from eight days of temp work-an assingment that got cut short mind you I have had to luck despite my search. This will give me up to 20 weeks and I have to feel secure or a bit better.
what comes next after that? Are they voting again on what to do at that point after looking at the numbers? I know this originally bill was to be further out

Jen in CA
So sad for those of us who run out of unemployment in March 2010. Nice for those who run out by Feb 2010. What are the rest of us going to do?? I am glad you will be helped I am in CA and I have been looking for a job since Oct 2009 when I got laid off. I have sent out 100's of resumes and signed up with 2 employment agencies and have not had 1 interview. I have 18 years experience in my field and that still hasn't helped me. Thank God I have a 6 month involuntary unemployment coverage plan on my mortgage and they will make the next 6 payments on my behalf or I probably would be losing the house I just bought a year ago.

vanessa
my unemploment benefits r running out at the end this month?? so how do i kno i i qulify for more benefits?? i have a part time job…

valerie
01-23-09, vanessa i have been fighting with the unemployment office, since my last week of unemployment ended 12-19-09, and the rep stated to me that my continued claim forms were sent out and for me to fill them out and return them back right away, so that i can be paid.

vanessa
ive been on umemp. for a year now?? so wht happens nxt

Mary Henry
unless you got more extensions you starve like the rest who just ran out, i did see one thing in an email this weekthat they voted 60-34 to extend H.R. 4851 until may 5th and will go to another vote the end of this wewek.

mryhenry125
my just ran out for tier 3 and tier 4 startsi guess it starts now, now i live in the state of Ms. and I am under the old system where the max is 210.00 per week plus the 25.00 raise and the rate went up to 230.00 for everyone except people in the old system, why should they get 20.00 [per week more than me.It is 80.00 to 100.00 per month and it cost me just as much to live as it does them. Now 189.00 per week and 220.00 per week is not a lot but better than nothing, but one would think like you were working som,ewhere and min. wage went up to 7.25 per hour now everyone would get this, just not the new people but the people that had been therelonger would be punished because they started to work first, looks like to me that is a form of discrimanation that the max. should be they same for everyone that isf eligble for it someone give me some advise heere and see what you think.

mryhenry125
Should have read 189.00 per week and 22.00 instead of 220.00, please overlook/

April
I know someone who absolutely can find a job but is taking advantage of sitting at home collecting unemplyment. I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice on if there is anyting i could do. My husband lost his job and every waking minute he is making phone calls out driving around or filling out applications trying to find a job and it furiates me that this person could literally be working tomorrow at a job but wants to take advantage of the system probally until it runs out
april
I forgot to mention from the above comment we live in Florida
april
This is April again. Me and my friend worked together at a hair salon. She got fired for a stupid reason and i understood at first why she didnt want to find a job right away. But after about five months she went to another hair salon that was willing to pay her under the table while she collected unemployment so she could see if she liked the salon and how much money she would make. She also was being very picky about what kind of salon she would want to work in. You have to understand that in the hair industry someone is always hiring. I love her to death but i am so angry with her because there are so many people out there that really really want to find a job like my husband and she can but she dosent want to. She ended up not taking the job that was going to pay her under the table because she was to afraid she would get caught. But it is going on a year and three months since she was layed off and she is still collecting when in our field their are job openings. I am just wanting to know if it is wrong of me to feel this way
Taxpayer
I know people on unemployment that are not even looking for a job as long as they are getting unemployment extensions. Perhaps, the goverment should give extension, but with the stipulation that if you get an extension at any point in time you have to delay you Social Security Benefits when you get older for whatever time you received an extension. Meaning if you are eligible to receive SS at 65, but got a 1 year extension, you know can't collect SS until you are 66. What do you think
Taxpayer
I know people on unemployment that are not even looking for a job as long as they are getting unemployment extensions. Perhaps, the goverment should give extension, but with the stipulation that if you get an extension at any point in time you have to delay you Social Security Benefits when you get older for whatever time you received an extension. Meaning if you are eligible to receive SS at 65, but got a 1 year extension, you know can't collect SS until you are 66. What do you think

Reality
Who is hiring someone even 50? 65 or 70 won't even have work to find.

Rick
I can not believe how the people collecting unemploymwent are hated.Whats up there.The rich got tons of money from the tax payer to keep there bonus programs going but help the unemployed its a crime.Thats bull,I say gave to the hard working people that made this country and the bankers rich.A out sider of this country gets lots of help and never payed a dime of tax and they get lots of help even a home to live.
Rick from Pa were uemployment is 9.8 percent

My Country
I agree, all the money the illegals clamp on, Puerto Ricans never working here and collecting SSI. Yet all these come here and live in HUD housing collecting and using this Government but they don't belong here and never worked a day in their life unless in their country. Not right to get hand outs, guess that Illegal poem I am publishing says it "American the Dummy"

barb
Hey no unemployment then am going on welfair,unemployment or welfair one is as good as the other I say.Thr rich get richer and the poor get crap.Banks got there money from use to keep the pay bonuses going.
Barb Penna
kevin
what happen if you didn't exhaust 99 weeks of unemployment and still can't find work. do we still get the rest of those 99 weeks?
TIREDOFSUPPORTINGYOU
GET A JOB!
nokidding
MCDONALDS IS HIRING!
Gregg
**NOTE…..everybody thinks? that the max Unemployment benefits is 99 weeks!! thats correct…on top of Nys 26 weeks??!! total actually 125 weeks…can any one confirm this?? 99 weeks is the fed emergency limit??
Carl
I exhausted my 99 weeks and obtained a temp job. After my job ends can I ever claim unemployment again ?
Powerlineman
I have worked since I was 15, I am 31 one now I have never been laid off until Mar. 2009, I have been a powerlineman for 10 years. You probably flip burgers or make pizza, I have exhausted all means of work search. You find me a job making over 20 doollars an hour and i will take it. I have made over 20 dollars an hour since I was 22 and I sure as hell am not going to settle for minimum wage. When i see a job posted I take it. I worked three weeks last month and 15 more were laid off with me so I will tell you what we need is Teddy Rosevelt in the White House to create Jobs And not Obama handing out money.
s shewrri
In Missouri we only get State Extended Benefits until Feb 26, regardless of how many weeks we have left…what a rip off..
selta
I have been trying to get work for 18 months, I have gotten about a dozen interviews, and still no,luck, …I haven't even been hired by a lousy job because I am over qualified.. whatever, I have a great work history and was on my last job over 10 years, but I am 48 years old and they want younger people. I even took classes to update my skills, I resent people thinking I am abusing the system, when I am trying very hard but no one is hiring. My family needs that money
http://www.facebook.com/pctalk Mark Roberts
Unemployment will be the new name for people who have done all they could to get a job ..any job where 100's if not thousands apply.. it will be the new temporary..job..where people will drown themselves with booze and and drugs..and watch the world crashing down around them..meet the new work..force..unemployment classification..Next american..on the doll…and long soup and welfare lines..a reality..already in the mix..God Bless..America…??
venita
i dont have eny more unemplyoment benefits and have no food i have a disablity dauther and we havenot eatten in 2 weeks whatshould i do killmyself and here so i can put myself out of missery?
Bruno
I was a police officer in Central California, got fired after being ordered to report a corrupt officer, and the same officer I was a witness to his sustained sexual harassment investigation that the city conducted, he got promoted, pay raise and I was terminated for "not remembering" correctly. Numerous officers involved were caught in a "lie" and no action was taken, other perverted administrators were allowed to retire w/o any investigation into why inappropriate photos were sent to female employee, who was the "alleged" victim to sexual harassment/stalking, found out to be lying, no action, city settled $$$. Now I have a to find a job cuz the department is dirty. The truth will come out and people will be held accountable.
http://pulse.yahoo.com/_NMNUSGX3HVQC2WBYEQSUYSHQXA rod
Bruno as a former corrections officer, I was asked to lie for various indiscressions of fellow workers. I stated to them that I was not their concience and refused to cover for them, and I would not perpertrate evil. I ask you to not perpertrate evil, and if that means that you need to move to a smaller quieter community to a small town police force in order to find justice. then we may both have to go back to mayberry. WE know that proper respect to ourselves and others start with us.

Unemployment Benefits Extended To 99 Weeks

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