Unemployment Extension
June 30 Update: President Bush signed legislation today that provides for a 13-week extension of unemployment benefits. State Unemployment Offices should have information on how to collect extended benefits available now or in the near future.
June 27 Update: Congress passed an unemployment extension bill yesterday that provides for 13 additional weeks of unemployment benefits for unemployed workers who have run out of regular benefits. The extension is part of an Iraq war spending bill and has been sent to the White House where it is expected that President Bush will sign it.
June 19 Update: A deal between Congressional leaders and the Bush administration, has reportedly been made to extended unemployment benefits by an additional 13 weeks. If enacted, this legislation will provide continuing unemployment benefits for those who have exhausted regular benefits.
Latest Updates: Unemployment Extension News
Unemployment Resources
Comments
Pres. Bush is silly to think a family can actually live off unemployment compensation and would forego looking for a job just so they can keep getting it. I was unemployed from October 07 until the end of April 08 and I had to make arrangements with my landlord to pay my rent almost a month and 1/2 in arrears and lets not talk about food and electricity. And I was looking for a job everyday of the week. I mailed and emailed tons of resumes. Most jobs that were offered were 30 days or less temp jobs. I applied for any every full time permanent job and was turned down a lot because some employers thought I was overqualified….all I wanted was a job that would pay the bills and wasn’t a temporary position.
I have been unemployed since Sept 07 and have exhausted my unemployment. I have cashed in my 401K and am running out of funds. I live 60 miles from any larger city and have applied for every job that matches my qualifications and even below. I have a MBA and $110,000 in student loans which have had to be deferred. I have lost my home, my retirement, car is on its last leg, I have no insurance and the president thinks I want to live on unemployment? I just need something to get me through. I have applied at temp offices only to be told the company chose not to fill the position. I don’t know what to do I’m in my 40’s and should not have to worry about all this.
My unemployment benefits ran out last week, and my 401K cashed in and is gone. Hopefully I’ll be able to defer my $72,000 student loan, but I’m not counting on that. I’m a 57 year old female who apparently sounds great on paper, but has the gall to look her age at interview time. What does Presidet Bush want me to do to avoid appearing lazy? Move to India to get my outsourced position back?
My Job position was eliminated and my medical insurance was cut off the same day. Whats wrong with 13 more weeks of unemployment. Its typical another Bush “fend for yourselves idea” I voted for him biggest mistake I ever made.
What the #$#@ ? I have been unemployed since Nov. 07. I have been on at least 30 interviews and have sent out resumes to and contacted hundreds of companies. Mostly, I am overqualified. I cannot believe Bush thinks I want to live off unemployment. Why? I can’t afford anything on the compensation. I am eager and willing to work. Mr. Bush, get me a job or get me extended unemployment.
what a fool Bush is - he doesn’t have a clue what people are going through. I have been unemployed for 4 months - thank god my husband has health ins. on me. We don’t even have much debt and it is hard to make ends meet.
I lost my job in October, 2007. I was making $ 26.00 an hour! My benefits ended May 1st, and I have been living off a part time job of 20 hours a week at 12.00 an hour! I am 42 years old, broke, behind in my car payment, car insurance, student loans and I have cashed in my 401-k, borrowed from anyone who could help me and this ASS of a president is going to veto any help that we Americans are entitled to. If I could I would shoot him dead!
I agree with all of these comments. President Bush as we all know is a useless piece of @#$%^&. I have been unemployeed since Dec 07 and have put in for hundreds of jobs and even willing to take min. wage even though I won’t be able to afford the gas to get to the job. I also have to exhaust my 401 to keep my home and will probably lose my car I’ve been paying on for years. If that stupid a$$ thinks anyone could live off unemployment he really is blind to what this country is dealing with. Must be nice to know him and his family will always have a big beautiful home and gas forever.
Apparently the norm for most americans is that we are unemployed since the year 2007 and have exhausted our efforts in trying to find stable employment. Most americans DO WANT TO WORK! The economy cannot fix itself. A invisable hand it not going to make the economy better. The realistic solution to the economy is employing people. Employed people spend money. Cash flow fixes our economy.
However Mr. Billionare President Bush who has never had a hard day in his life does not comprehend how the middle class lives. We do not want to live on unemployment benefits, but if we cannot find stable employment then we need the unemloyment benefit extentions.
My gosh Mr. Billionare President Bush is very selfish minded. So is his family!!!
FYI
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Republicans blocked legislation Tuesday that would have given an extra three months of jobless benefits for all unemployed Americans, but congressional Democrats plan to bring the bill back by attaching it to an Iraq war funding measure.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., tried to bring the House-passed unemployment extension bill up for quick consideration in the Senate, but was stymied by an objection from Sen. Jon Kyl of Arizona, the Senate’s No. 2 Republican. It takes unanimous agreement to fast track a bill in the Senate.
In Michigan, the unemployment rate reached 8.5% during May…it’s sickening. Bush is so ignorant. Does he really think the jobless would actually desire to sit on unemployment’s measly pay? I know firsthand how difficult and scary it is to be on unemployment, and sitting on unemployment is the last thing I’d want to have to do again.
My company usually employees approx. 150-200 people this time of year. We are under a seizure from the FDA and are down to 22 persons. By the end of summer we too will be done. Most of our employees have run out of unemployment. We are living in Western Michigan and there are very few jobs and you have to go up against hundreds of people to land a job. I too was laid off for 3 weeks due to the seizure and now my bills are behind. Unemployment benefits do not pay all of your housing, utilities and grocery bills. People think we are living to high on the hog. I dare them to try it for a few months and not have to tap into a 401 account.
Signed, Scared!
Mr President how in the hell do you expect us to live with jobs here in michigan very hard to find? We can’t even get any help from the welfare office to pay bills or our house payment, but you come into our state as an illegal man oh man do you get the breaks in taxes plus you get money for a home,bills,food,clothes. I think before you leave this office you need to fix what you messed up!
Mr Bush,when you see me in Crawford with a WILL WORK FOR FOOD sign will you please give me some spare change? my family eating dinner that night will depend on it.Thanks
I live in Manhattan NY, am a single mom and am recieving unemployment too. The unfortunate thing is I was working color correcting digital photos. Now there are a lot of companies using software programs to do my job. So not only is the job market as a whole doing poorly but it’s doing even worse for my proffession. So I applied to a few mediocre jobs like duane reades, cvs etc and I don’t get any call backs because I am over qualified. I just don’t understand………. I’m happy they made the extension because I can’t seems to get any hits with my resume. It will give me some more time and protects me from invading my IRA. Oh yeah and Bush sucks. But those who voted for him are getting what they wanted; a run down economy, high unemployment rates, increase in cost of living……. oh yeah that’s right I forgot it doesn’t matter since it only affects the working class. Funny thing is with all these problems there are new luxary buildings being built on almost every two blocks here!
All this bellyaching.
I’m also 50+, unemployed and have had my benefits run out about a month ago. We’re struggling to simply pay bills as well.
Even so, I don’t blame George Bush for every single individual problem in this country like those of the looney left do as soon as they wake up in the morning.
Need I remind you that there were poor and unemployed and homeless when Clinton was president and there still would be blight and poverty and gangs running our cities if Obama was president. Don’t kid yourself. He’s a politician as sinister and self serving as any. Do us a favor and lay off the Kool-Aid.
Waa! Waa! Waa! How about getting tough when times are tough? I have a PMP yet I bundle newspapers to make a few bucks to stay alive until something breaks.
I’m confident in MY OWN skills aren’t you? Does blaming your pitiful life on George Bush make you feel better?
My husband has worked all of his life. He lost his job last November because his company decided that Europeans could run it better than Americans. They have no clue. He has cashed in retirement, downsized everything and his blood pressure is killing him. The extension will help. Hopefully one of the hundreds of resumes he has submitted will get a response.
President Bush signed the bill today! We should be hearing from out state unemployment office soon on how to collect the extended benefits.
Will people in all states be able to collect on the 13 week unemployment extension, or just the states that have at least 5.5% or 6.0% unemployment? I live in Boston, MA. and no one seems to know if people in our state will be able to collect on the extension, or what our unemployment rate is currently.
I have been employed by the Post Office for 8 years, in November 07 I became a regular Employee, upon being transferred to the Main Post Office My Permanent Limited Duty Job Offer was affected. I am only able to work during dayshift hours because of the way I take my controlled-substance medication. But the Post Office told me that if I didn’t work the hours, which are night shift there would be no work available for me. I have an active Workers’ Compensation Claim for the on-the-job-injury which I am taking the medication for pain management but the Post Office has told the DOL that the medication I am taking is for something else, when my Physician has told them time and time again it is for my accepted injury. I have been on unemployment since Dec 07. I recently sent letters to President Bush explaining my entire situation. I have been done wrong by the Post Office and the DOL, how can either one of them go against a Certified Physician? The Post Office is a very stressful job, as well as physical. I was left with no other choice but to contact the Presidents office about my situation. It’s not like I can’t work but I have to work within my physical restrictions, but also my time restrictions as well for my medication.
Let me address your situation by telling you one of my own.
A few years back I owned a commercial building in Texas (when President Bush was Govenor). I operated a small buisness which barely supported my husband and I. Texas department of transportation rebuilt the street in front of my building and was going to take away my only parking which would have killed my buisness. I argued with them and got nowhere so I decided to write the Govenor. He replied “I have no control over the Department Of Transportation”. I could not believe my eyes! He was Govenor over the state and had no control. Well now I believe that!
I agree with the scenerio of Pam and Linda. I’m a 40 yr old woman who lives in Ft. Lee near NYC, laid off in Sept 07 working for Financial Advisors. BS in Finance, and it feels like BS right now. I have 2 kids, I now work part-time in a real estate office (wonder how long that will last?). The extension may be supplemental if I haven’t dropped off the list yet. But for the past 9 months one strong reality lays, COMPANIES ARE NOT HIRING! And if you’re lucky enough to live/work near NYC, the companies aren’t interested in keeping you for long. I have a degree, long working history, strong references, and a drive to survive. But somehow, that is what keeps me going each day. Guess we all have to survive the best way we can.
WELL, ITS NICE TOO SEE THE EMERG EXT PASSED, BUT IT COMES TOO LATE FOR ME. MY BENEFITS ENDED IN MARCH. I FOUNDA PT JOB AFTER THAT, WHICH ALSO CUT HALF THE STAFF BY APRIL. IVE BEEN LAID OFF THE INSURANCE INDUSTRY SINCE NOV 07. IVE LOST MY APT,SELF PAID INSURANCE,GAVE AWAY MY PET,ALL SINCE APRIL. IM NOW BASICALLY HOMELESS. EVEB THE BIWKLY 13WK PAYMENTS WOULDNT BE ENOUGH IN TIME TO GET ME BACK ON MY FEET. BUSH DID A SWELL JOB ON THE USA.
O.k. so we have all shown our disgust with President Bush, even though he said he would sign the bill extending the 13 week extension, which he has done. The bill has been passed and the president has signed it now it has to be approved by each individual govenor. What hope do I have living in the State of California??? I spoke with EDD and they said they are doubtful the money will be made available because the state has such a large defecit. California has the highest unemployment rate in the nation due to the fact we were dependent on real estate. I lost my job in Sept. 07 and so did my husband. My unemployment ran out in April and my husband could not collect unemployment. We have exhausted our savings and are about to loose everything we have worked hard for. We are both over 45 and good luck getting hired for an entry level job, yet alone some type of administrative work. Why don’t we blame the real demons in this whole California mess, the stupid Democratic Assembly, who have spent all of our reserves and still haven’t learned their lesson. When will we all learn, as long as we keep re-electing these people, we will always be giving up our hard earned money for stupid politicians. Call or email the dumb**s govenor and tell him to approve the extension!!! The president said he would sign the bill and he has, let’s start making our local state government do what is right for its citizens and not what suits the government. When is the last time you saw and assembly person take a pay cut??? How about never!!!
After reading the comments I now sit at my computer with tears running down my face looking at the dire situation we are all in that all the rich government people don’t seem to understand. Normally I am a very positive person but I am completely drained of emotions. I lost my job a year ago and have looked for a job everyday with not much luck. I have lowered my wage preference to the point of poverty and have nearly begged for a job in the few interviews that I gotten. I have gone through my 401K money and savings and have had to take 2 cash advances on a credit card to pay for car payment, insurance and another credit card that I charge gas and groceries on. So what is the 13 weeks of unemployment extention going to do for me? Pay on the cash advance that’s what. I have always paid my bills on time and have a great credit score and unless I get a job I am on my way to bankruptcy. I cannot believe how many people are in this same situation and have been since 2007 and the government will not recognize the fact of just how bad the economy is. No we are not in a recession, but more like a depression.
I pray that something good will happen for all of us.
Question on the unemployment extension…I worked for 2 days (out of desperation in a restaurant)before I quit. (I was previously a Project Scientist) Am I ineligible for the extension? how do I get around this???
help!
Now that the extension has been signed, when will the state inform the eligible of how to reapply?
I lost my job. I lost my Health Insurance. I lost my Prescription Insurance. I worked every day all my life. Bush has NO clue what people are going through, yet he travels the world vacationing, claiming foreign relations in his lame duck final months. He is looking for his legacy. He need not look any further. His legacy is thousands of persons died in the war, tens of thousands have been wounded in the war and many hundreds of thousands are out of work. How does he reconcile that with Pro-Life? I don’t know how the man can sleep at night? Shame on you.
I am in the same situation as many of you. It’s scary to see how many people are losing everything and desperately looking for work. I’ve applied everywhere and anywhere…even a crappy part time job would help. But mostly I’ve been told I’m over qualified. We are running out of our savings and we really need that extension to at least help as I continue to look for work. Has anyone recieved their extension yet?
I live in California. I got my extension from the EDD a few days ago and just got my extension approval today. I too have been out of work for a year. A few of the comments here sound like some of you are on your pity pot. 6 billion people in the world, millions going with out food or shelter daily with no chance of unemployment or social services at all. At least we live in AMERICA. Good luck and god bless to everyone.
I dont think we need to bash the Bush administration for one. This country has seen this with democrats running the country too. It has little to do with goverment at this point but companies down sizing and out sourcing. I ran out of unemployment this past Jan and when I put my extenstion in, no one could get through the phone lines in Michigan for days. When I finally got through, a week after calling Marvin, I was told that I would receive the extension but something was wrong with my payment? First I was told it would take a couple of extra days, now I wonder if there will be some other excuse because I should have had a payment last week. I always have to fight for any benifit and for you ladies that get child support, enjoy it! I rasied my two children by myself with NO child support and at times I worked three different jobs at one time. To top that off, when the judge did rule 18 years ago for child support, it was $5.00 a week. That is $2.50 per child! Dont wine if you are receiving something, be grateful! Oh, did I mention that when my children both turned 18 the courts forgave his debt? and you think you have a rough life? Walk one day in mine! I have been through five presidents since I had my children. I have an Engineering degree and there are NO jobs for women my age in any field. Discrimination in Michigan is apparent! Yes, jobs are needed but look outside the box go God sake!
We are all going through so much. But I am not going to waste my time blameing and complaining. My husband lost his job in 2005, went back to school and got his masters in management degree which the state paid for. Living off our trustfund and yes we worry everyday of how much longer we can pay for everything. Where one door closes another one will open, you all have to believe that will happen. Quit wasting your energy on the negative stuff and start thinking positive of how you can make your life change. Will it be easy no….can it happen, yes…. Take one small step at a time, and have faith.
I am curious to know who has received their extension. I’ve read the entry of the person from CA and I know a bunch of people in IN that have been laid off and have received their extension. I’m in GA and I haven’t received any $$$ yet nor even notification if I have been approved for an extension (although they did send me the application for it a few weeks ago) SOOOOO we are almost out of our savings and any little amount will help ya know?!?! If anyone else from any other states have received their benefits or whatever please let me know because our Dept. of Labor here isn’t releasing any new information. Thanks so much!
I just want to know when the heck we will be getting this money if ever!!!