Unemployment Extension
November 18 Update: There a lot of confusion surrounding the latest unemployment extension, which provides for additional weeks of benefits for workers who run out of unemployment by the end of the year. Part of the reason is that the new legislation changed the exisiting tiers of benefits. The other is that the only eligible workers are those that run out of benefits by the end of the year. Here's clarification on the new unemployment extension.
November 6 Update: President Obama has signed the unemployment extension legislation. Check with your state unemployment office for details on when payments will start being made. The extension provides for 14 weeks of extended benefit coverage for every state and an additional 6 weeks, for a total of 20 weeks, in high unemployment states where unemployment is over 8.5%.
November 5 Update: The House voted today to approve the unemployment extension. The next step is for the President to sign it. Once it's signed, check with your state unemployment office for details on when payments will start being made. UnemployedWorkers.org has checked with many state unemployment offices and reports that "The first payable week of benefits under the new extension is the week ending November 14, 2009. Benefits would not be legally payable until after that date. Most states have been able to make their first payments under new extension laws in the past within about 3 weeks of enactment, which would be around the first of December." States have been doing their best to keep up-to-date and to post updates as soon as they have them, but it may take some time for the logistics to be figured out.
November 4 Update: An unemployment extension has been approved by the Senate. The Senate voted 98 - 0 to extend jobless benefits by 14 weeks for every state and an additional 6 weeks, for a total of 20 weeks, in high unemployment states where unemployment is over 8.5%. The House needs to approve the extension, which then goes to the President to sign. Hopefully, that will happen this week.
November 2 Update: The Senate voted 85-2 Monday to limit debate and move ahead with a vote to approve unemployment extension legislation. A final vote is expected later this week.
October 29 Update: The Senate is moving closer to voting to extend unemployment insurance. The Senate agreed on an 87-13 procedural vote Tuesday to bring the measure to a final vote. However, the legislation is still being negotiated in the Senate and may not be voted on until next week.
The National Employment Law Project has clarified who would be covered by the extension:
If you have exhausted your full range of federally funded benefits before the passage of this bill, you WILL be eligible for these additional weeks... However, in another important aspect, the bill is NOT retroactive. You will not receive a lump sum payment dating back to the time when you exhausted benefits. The benefits will only be paid going forward.
October 24 Update: Reports indicate that unemployment legislation will be on the agenda for the Senate next week, but there is no timeline for a vote on legislation that would extend unemployment benefits for the 2 million workers who are running out of unemployment.
October 2 Update: Senator Max Baucus, Chairman of the Finance Committee, introduced legislation - the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act of 2009 - that provides additional weeks of federal unemployments benefits to workers in all states. Baucus and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid propose four extra weeks of extended unemployment benefits for all states, plus 13 additional weeks for the 27 hardest-hit states. In addition, Senator Jeanne Shaheen will introduce an amendment to give all states 13 weeks of extra unemployment benefits, plus an additional four weeks on top of that for Michigan and other hard-hit states. Hopefully, we'll see action early next week on the proposed legislation.
September 23 Update: The House passed an extension of unemployment benefits last night. The extended benefits would covering an additional 13 weeks of unemployment for more than 1 million workers in 29 high unemployment states whose benefits will expire before the end of 2009. The next step in the process is for the Senate to approve an extension.
September 20 Update: The House of Representatives is expected to propose an extension of unemployment insurance benefits next week. If passed, the extension would provide an additional 13 weeks of benefits to jobless people living in states with an average unemployment rate of 8.5% over the last three months. A vote is expected by mid-week and if it passes, the Senate is expected to follow suit and act quickly to extend benefits which are running out for hundreds of thousands of American workers.
July 24 Update: Millions of unemployed workers are going to start running out of unemployment benefits in the near future. What can you do if your unemployment runs out or you're about to run out of unemployment benefits? First of all, check with your State Unemployment Office to make sure that you are receiving all the extended benefits you qualify for. If you're close to being out, take a look at the other resources that are available for unemployed workers and take advantage of whatever you can to help you get by until you find a new job.
June 18 Update: To discuss unemployment, post information on extended benefits in your state, or ask questions about unemployment benefits, visit the About.com Discussion Forum Unemployment section. You'll be able to ask (and answer if you have information) questions on unemployment.
June 18 Update: The National Employment Law Project reports that since the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) was signed by President Obama, 25 states have enacted jobless benefit policies that will enable thousands of workers previously barred from the system to collect unemployment benefits, while 21 high-unemployment states have extended jobless benefits an additional 13-20 weeks.
March 27 Update: Updates on the unemployment extension are continuing to come in on a state by state basis. Check your state unemployment office web site regularly for updates on extended benefits in your location. Also, check the comments below and add your own updates, if you have news to share. Thanks to everyone who is providing updates. I appreciate your help keeping everyone up-to-date on the extension and unemployment benefits.
March 3 Update: States are starting to post updates on the unemployment extension, so check your state unemployment office web site frequently for news. New York, for example, has an Emergency Unemployment Update stating that 13 additional weeks of benefits are available, along with answers to frequently asked questions about eligibility and payment.
February 22 Update: The National Employment Law Project (NELP) has a Q&A (PDF) that details the new options available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act which allows high unemployment states to provide up to 13 to 20 weeks of additional extended benefits to workers who run out of federal funded unemployment benefits. Currently, are 20 to 33 weeks of benefits for workers who run out of their state unemployment, so this plan, if adopted by the states, would provide additional weeks of federally funded benefits.
States need to qualify for the funding, based on the level of unemployment. The Department of Labor has a weekly trigger notice with an update of which states have reached the unemployment level to qualify for the extended benefits funding.
More information on extended benefits will be available on state unemployment office web sites, hopefully, in the near future.
Unemployment Resources
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!!!
Believe it or not – many, many, many people who could have a job would rather live off the government by utilizing unemployment compensation as a way of doing just that & then working “under the table” – I know that is not the case with all of you, but it is with a lot of people – I have seen it with my own eyes!! There are a lot of lazy people in this country who think the government OWES them – WHY?? Because they didn’t get to choose whether they wanted to be here or not & they weren’t born into “Royalty”. If you want something bad enough – go for it & work for it – That used to be the American way – until the people voted for Welfare – now those that work, work to give to those who don’t want to and never will!!
I am or should I say I was a black Jack dealer in northern Nevada. up here we are losing allot of our job to a so called international program, you see they go to Poland, Brazil and a few other country’s and recruit these kids to come over and work! Tax free, not only do they get the extra money but our lovely government gives the casinos a kick back for this! I think this is despicable! I think if you have a corporation and you open over seas offices or hire from over seas they should be in a major tax bracket! punish them for taking these jobs away from Americans! This is our country our corporations and by all means these should be our JOBS!!! Prices are getting higher and our jobs are being sent to over seas where there economy is booming while we starve!!! what is wrong with this picture!?!?
Give me a break you Democratic goofballs.
I went on unemployment January 08′, received another 3 month extension. I have an older car paid for, reasonable rent, money saved with interest growing, and a nice chunk every week for insurance benefits, no worries. Best vacation of my life. I’ll go back to work, but would never blame a president becaust of my own inability to manage and save money. Look in the mirror and stop acting pathetic, take responsibility with your income. What are doing with college debt at age 42?, over $100g, idiot. Downsize and simplify, you can then enjoy the unemployment for what it is, a nice break.
I am 60 and if you think age descrimination doesn’t exist – HA HA HA.
I have been out of work since 2/07, and the job market has gotten worse and worse.
I was lucky to receive the 3 month UE extension, which has run out. I was told that in California we would get a second 3 month extension?????
I can’t find any info about it.
I am luckier than some of you in that I can live for approx another 6 months before D-Day.
and now the little I have in investments has lost the past week (really scarey)
I have no health insurance now due to no job and certainly can’t afford it (and believe me they don’t even accept you if you are not 30 somthing with a model’s body and zero past problems – so why bother?? If one thing happens to me or many others of you, what will happen to us? they probably won’t even treat us and if they do, we will be so in debt that we’ll never recover.
I am not sure I’d want to get treated and then face living in my car with no gas money or food money. I’ve worked too hard all my life (put my daughters through college) to be a hobo. I live simple, practical, but I am basically a non-person now.
When McCain talks about a tax cut for healthcare “get your own” how does that help us who can’t even get a job and have no income???
If you’d like to email me personally to chat ONLY about your situation please email me at aha@att.net. DON’T CALL TO SELL ME ANYTHING.
Well maybe The President should be worried about the people instead of Wall St. AIG good example!!!! My benifts exhausted and no jobs what are we supposed to do?? He needs a trip to reality.No money for food lost my car and about to lose my home. While the big boys argure over it it will be months to late by the time they make the funds available. Thanks for nothing, that is my tax money and I need it they are not bailing out the people that count.
Georgette, that sounds like a confession there. You’re forgiven.
I was at michigan works office today and was told that the new extension has passed. 10/21/08 Don’t know if this is rumor or not but it would be great if its true.
42} yes I pretty much think it is a rumor!
Darleen,are you talking about an extension on top of the first one?I have heard about that myself but thats all..just hear say.
Another extension would help lot of people for sure,i know it would help my family out.
Here’s some advice on getting through to the unemployment office, if you’ve been having difficulty connecting:
http://jobsearch.about.com/b/2008/10/27/unemployment-claims-questions-and-answers.htm
Can someone tell me what the Unemployment Extension Criteria is if any? I’m wondering if the EDD office is just preventing me from collecting what I’m entitled too. Their giving me this bogus calculation method of saving I would of had to earn at least 6,200 in order to qualify for the extenison. Where can I find more information on the requirements to make sure what they’re telling me is true. I’m trying my hardest to find a job but no luck.
I’m 29 years old and lost my job of 4 years because the company I used to work for decided they were overcrowded and started throwing people out the door,like they are old rubbage.Not only I had to fight the company for my unemployment benefits,I was told I was not eligible for rehire if a position would’ve come up.The funniest thing is,I never received a pink slip or got reprimanded for misconduct.I am fighting the company with the board of labor right now for infraction of my rights. It’s the beginning of November,I am still without a job.I’ve applied to every stinking place I know and yet nothing.I thought of going to school,its irrelevant since we are paying my husbands student loans when he was in college in the 90’s.My poor husband has to work 2 jobs-1 full time and 1 part time job to keep things afloat while I’m waiting for someone to tell me”Your hired” Tomorrow,When you are casting your vote for the next President;remind yourself”Do we want 4 more years of the same old Bullpuck or Do we want infrastructure?” I will be glad once January 20th comes so we can say “TIME TO TAKE OUT THE GARBAGE!!!”
YES THE TABLES HAVE TURNED, NOW THE OLD PRESIDENT BUSH IS OUT OF AN JOB AND ALSO JOHN MCCAIN. I HOPE THEY CAN APPLY FOR UNEMPLOYMENT. HOPE TO SEE YOU BOTH ON THE LINE.
Well,I am nearly at the point where I don’t have any hope left of digging out of this huge sink hole I’m in. My unemployment ran out a 2 weeks ago. Bill collectors are dialing my phone all day long wanting their money,and I don’t even want to answer it anymore. I’m 52 and I’ve worked since I was 16 full time. I lost my job over a year ago. I’ve applied for so many jobs I can’t remember them all and have only gotten 2 interviews. I took a job that was just a scam to get me to invest money to sell insurance because that was all I could get around here and I never got paid a dime. I started my own business to do the work that I am experienced at, and I paid for and entire years worth of required business insurance, I bought all of my equipment and supplys, and because it is a state regulated job in Illinois I paid my hundred dollar fee and applied for my business license, which I never received due to the fact that they let the law that regulates my business expire and never renewed it until the end of August of this year so I lost everything I put into it. And now funny thing is I think I actually might have a company interested in hireing me, they told me that all I have to do is pass a drug test, criminal background check, and my credit report which they check has to be in good standing. Well the first two things are a breeze for me, but due to the fact that now I have no income because my unemployment ran out my credit report is probably going to be screwed up and I’m scared to death that they won’t hire me. So I am having about the worst bad luck that anyone could ever have. I’m probably going to lose my home and everything I’ve worked for, and I have a 10 year old child who depends on me for a home, and food to eat.I don’t know what to do, I’m so depressed now.How can this happen to us in this country? If I don’t get and income soon or and unemployment extension I’m done! Please help us somebody!
I’ve been unemployed since March of 2007 and i have applied for every job possible and resumes posted everyone no such luck.I was employed for 26 yrs on 1 job.You can’t survive on unemployment.Hopefully with a new president there is hope.YES WE CAN !
THEY HAD A METTING THIS MONTH. THAT IS GREAT BUT WHAT DID THEY DECIDED. WE NEED TO KNOW SOMETHING NOW!!!!!!!!
I was on unemployment when I lost my job of 6.5 years while I was pregnant and on leave, running out of FMLA time. When the doctor OKd me to go back to work, it was impossible to find someone to hire a obviously pregnant woman. The economy was progressivly getting worse (I’m in a high unemployment state as it is) and thoughI’ve been sending out resumes like crazy, I don’t get many calls becuase of my education (I’m overqualified for positions, but I just want a job that pays the bills!) I was able to find a part time job, but that’s nowhere near what I need as a single mom raising 3 kids.
Last week I sent out 40+ resumes and made numerous phone calls. It’s been similar for months and months. There are few jobs, more layoffs and so many people wanting to work that it’s almost impossible to get in if you don’t know someone at the different companies.
There’s going to be another few thousand people laid off in my area soon as well.
People aren’t NOT looking for work, it’s just incredibly difficult to find something.
The amazing thing is that we and our companies pay into these unemployment benefits. We can’t collect more than we paid into so why not let us continue to collect it. This is bs. Apparently because I am not illiterate I am “overqualified” for everything. If I have to hear one more time “Sorry, but you are more qualified than what we are looking for” I am going to scream. I would sweep sidewalks if it paid the bills.
I was laid off in Feb and sent 100’s of resumes out and filled out applications from corp jobs to Mcdonalds…no work over qualifed blah blah I would have scrubs toliets with a tooth brush, now months later I lost my car my home just forclosed on me, I got a job paying 9 dollars an hour. I waited for the extention but it never came and I paid that not the gov or my company my taxes and I cannot get it. Now I will be homeless with 3 kids while the senators scratch there heads and there … should we pass it? YESSSSSSSSSSSS I COULD USE THE 10 WEEKS I AM OWED TO FIND A NEW HOME….COME ON LOOK AROUND THIS WHOLE COUNTRY IS FALLING APART AND ALL THEY DO IS TALK ABOUT DOING THIS THAT OR THE WRONG THING…BAIL ME OUT!!!!!!!!!
Well a little update on my financial crisis, I didn’t get the job. The branch mgr. interviewed me ahead of the work ad illegally, before the help wanted ad was posted so he could get a head start on the hireing process and he told me so. He also told me that I had the job and as soon as the company posted it online he would call me back in to get me started.God wss I thankful! but it all ended badly again for me because his company forced him to fill the position with another person from another devision that got layed off or at least that’s what he said, and just like that I’m still broke, and I have no income what so ever and nothing to look forward to.I need that unemployment extension now! before it’s too late.
My 13 weeks of uneplyment will be over this month and I asked our State unemployment dept. when can I apply for extention and the lady rudely said that I am not eligible for extension due to the date that I filed, I don’t understand, after working for almost thirty years I am only allowed for 13 weeks??? this is in CALIFORNIA of which our tax is the highest compare to other states, I am nervous and so worried what’s going to happen I have no savings here everything is too expensive it’s impossible for an ordinary employee can save.
ON THE OTHER HAND TALKING TO THE PEOPLE WHO WORKS IN UNEMPLOYMENT DEPT OR EDD ARE RUDE THAT’S ONE SECOND YOU WILL BE HODING FOR HOURS IF YOU ARE LUCKY ENOUGH TO GET SOMEBODY ON THE LINE MOST OF THE TIME YOU CANNOT.
ALL RECORDING.
PLEASE HAVE SOMEBODY PASS ALL THESE MESSAGES HERE TO THE RIGHT PERSON.
does anybody have any idea if the new extension will be added the the last one.
i have been out since february and used my state benefits (26 wks) and extension (13 wks) will the new extension add anything/
I’m not positive what is included in the legislation the Senate is voting on today, but I did read that the legislation would provide seven additional weeks of extended benefits in addition to the 13 week extension passed earlier this year, for a total of 20 weeks, and that it would provide an additional 13 weeks of extended benefits (for 33 weeks total beyond regular benefits) for workers in states with unemployment of 6% or higher.
If that’s the case, then it seems like there would be a second extension for those who have run out of the first extension.
When (hopefully) it’s passed, the information should be posted on your state unemployment office web site.
My sincere sympathies to all who are hurting. I know, as I have been there for a very long time, myself. Several years ago, I went through ID theft in Seattle, and no one could help me. No one ever did. I lost everything. Credit too went into the tank. I then came back to Michigan to be near family, but have been “overqualified” (best term for age discrimination or hiring cheap I have ever heard) but finally got a one year job with the a Federal Center here in Michigan. The government contractor (located in Silver Spring, MD) I had to work for was a total crook, stealing off the top from what we were supposed to receive as wages and medical benefits, wrote bad checks and then disappeared! It took me four years to finally find her broken trail back in Maryland, as she owes me almost $20,000. This is the third time she and her miserable family members have pulled their disappearing routine and fallen off the radar after “taking” their employees. Their corporate address and board of directors were all fake. NO ONE EVER CHECKED THEM OUT! So, I found her and turned over to the IRS last November… have yet to hear anything. She stole all the employee payroll deductions too, so someone ought to be upset more than just me… Now, with our Michigan economy in the tank, even with unemployment extensions and the recent stimulus package, due to the limitations placed on those receiving benfits, those who have been “long term unemployed” just get a small part of the extension or no stimulus at all, as we have not been in a job or worked long enough to qualify for the stimulus or benefits, as much as we have tried. Like everyone, I wish I didn’t need the help, but I have worked hard since I was 16, and after 45 years, when did the rules change about fairness and the principles this country was founded on? I have a five page resume and have been everything from a Merry Maid to an executive, and for the last two years I might as well have been fishing in an intersection! Lots of activity, but no results. Thank God for faith, friends and churches who have been able to help some of us. But they cannot be expected to sustain us when WE NEED JOBS AND WORK to meet our obligations and be able to keep our collective heads up. My landlord is a candidate for sainthood! With Thanksgiving ahead, I don’t know if I can even afford to drive an hour away to see my kids and granddaughter, as my car has problems, and even with lower prices, I am still low on gas!
May God Bless all of you who are in this leaky rowboat… we will come out on dry land yet. No thanks to too many in Washington, and others in “high places” who have forgotten about those who want to work every day and be contributors to the US economy. How many of out corporate leaders even think of that? My grandad used to say, “The love of money is the root of all evil!” Guess he was right. It’s time for leadership everywhere to reassess what they stand for, and what is really important. There are others who are counting on you, we can’t do this alone! If we have not totally forgotten our history, to paraphrase… we either hang together or surely, we will all hang separately…
The “business as usual” cannot go on as before. We need more than just a change of administration in D.C. We need a change of attitudes and morals!
According to the National Employment Law Project, “Ttoday’s action helps more than 1.16 million workers who have already run out of their limited 13 weeks of extended benefit or who were scheduled to do so before the end of the year during the holiday season.”
So now that Bush decided to finally sign the bill to allow an additional extension,how long is it gonna take to be in effect?
http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/11/20/senate.jobless/index.html
And speaking of losing jobs..i don’t understand how the big 3 expects the government to hand out or “loan” them money to keep the companies afloat.How is it possible to send our american jobs over seas to cut costs and lay off thousands of automotive workers here in the states and yet the companies are still broke…? How about the CEO’s and other head honchos that fly around to meetings in private jets that cost $20,000..?Why not cut their costs and expenses and have them take a pay cuts
to help save the companies. A big portion of the problam is the automotive industry is under and affects alot of people down the line.It’s almost like the big 3 has the government hanging by strings like a puppet..It’s just not fair and the sad thing is is that we can’t do much but sit on the side lines and hope for the best.Sad sad world
I am so saddened that all of this is happening to us all. I wish I could help all of you out and wish that there was some way to end this misery because it sucks to just exist. We are here to LIVE. I am dealing with these issues as well but unfortunately I never received anything from unemployment and haven’t been able to get through to anyone to see what happened. I am ‘lucky’ to have been given a ‘temp job’ but it’s come too late and I am still going to lose my home. I do really feel for you all though and consider myself really lucky that I don’t have a family depending on me. I wish you all good fortune.
Why don’t WE get a bailout??? I have a $60k student loan and have been out of work for a year now. The job market is pathetic….and unemployment??? The max is about 1/5 of the income I used to make, hardly enough to live on. Something significant truly needs to be done. They need to CREATE jobs, not keep giving us a measly amount of money a month….its not even enough to pay my student loan!
I`AM SO HAPPY HE DECIDED TO HELP US TAX PAYER`S YOU WOULD THINK THE MONEY IS COMING OUT OF HIS POCKET. AS LONG AS IT TOOK HIM TO SIGN THE UNEMPLOYMENT EXTENSION. BUT I`AM JUST GLAD IT HAPPENED BEFORE THE HOLIDAY`S. THANK YOU GOD.
I CALLED THE UNEMPLOYMENT OFFICE AND THEY TOLD ME YOU HAVE TO WAIT FOR A LETTER IN THE MAIL . AND YOU HAVE TO QUALIFY FOR THE EXTENSION IT SHOULD NOT MATTER. I LOST MY JOB IN APRIL.
I also was told that I have to wait for a letter here in Houston. I don’t have a penny to my name and have been looking since Feb. 2008. I live with my son and his wife and 2 grandchildren. I lost my car. I can’t afford my medication. I am not hearing back from any resume I’ve sent. It helps to vent for about 15 minutes and then my mind goes back to my reality which I see is also a reality for a lot of us. All I can do is hope I qualify for the extension ifand when the letter comes and then I’m already worrying about how I’ll make it after it’s gone if the situation doesn’t change. I’ve never prayed so hard in my life. It’s very stressful.
Has anyone recieved the letter yet?
I WENT TO THE EMPLOYMENT OFFICE ON MONDAY TO FILL OUT A FORM FOR THE EXTENSION, THEY SAID THEY WAS GOING TO FAX IT IN TO ATLANTA GA. THAN THEY SAID THEY WAS TOLD NOT TO FAX THE FORMS IN .THAT I HAD TO WAIT FOR A LETTER IN THE MAIL. TO SEE IF I WAS QUALIFY FOR THE EXTENSION. YOU SHOULD RECEIVE A LETTER IN THE UP TO 10, BUSINESS DAYS.
i did not receive a letter yet. but last week i called the unemployment telephone number. and it said my social security. was suspened. i called this sunday again to file a claim in it went straight though so may everyboby just need to call in .
i have been out of work since 7/07.i got the first one,can i still get the second? i cant make heads or tales from the bill,lol,anyone know? thanks
From my understand, if your benefits stopped before November 15, you will get a letter which will tell you when to call in and make a payment request. If you are still getting benefits, just make your payment request on your day as usual. I’m waiting too. But let me tell you I never got aletter for the first extension and when I called in, they just said yes you qualify and told me what day to call in on.
I GOT MY LETTER TODAY!!!
Yes I got mine yesteday. I went to the unemployment . And they said we will be getting up to 20, weeks. That is so cool.
I live in Mich,Cant get through to the unemployment office,high call volume,lol a joke!Anyone know the details of who can collect the Ext? Any help i get, thanks in advance.I am looking at losing my home in a few weeks,i dont want to live under a bridge,im to old and its cold! LOL
Rob:
Keep hitting redial when you call. It’s hard to get through especially there. I grew up there by the way. There should also be a 1 (800) number to call as well. I thought foreclosures had been postponed for the holidays. I am so sorry. We are losing everything huh.
thank you,i have a land contract,and hes a bastard,i put a lotta money in this place.he wants it back to resell,the redial dont work,been trying that for 2 days,just have to hold out as long as i can,,mabye barracade myself in,make em kill me,better than being homeless
hey rob, here is a couple of telephone that might help.this is out side of Atlanta area, this is where your check comes from, 1866-873-5676. or 404-232-4290 I wish you the best of luck getting though. may we all say a pray for everyone I hope everyboby who has lost their job. is intitle to the extension. try the numbers more than one time i`am sure you will get though. GOD BLESS US ALL.
THANK YOU!
Has anyone in MICHIGAN gotten a letter yet about the 2nd unemployment extension? I was on the first extension and it ran out in Sept, will I be elegible for the 2nd one?
Im wondering the same thing.I cant get through to unemployment,I ran out in Sept too.Anyone know who qualfys?I need it SO BAD!
From what I hear, everyone who qualifies should get a letter. I ran out of the 1st extension in September and I got a letter the other day for the second extension. You should be getting a letter in the mail. However, I never got a letter for the first one and when I called the workforce center, they filed it for me and I got the money. You might try calling.
For all of you in California – there are NO jobs in California. and if you are over 50 you will never get one. And forget the benefits. If we get sick we will just die I guess. And forget about dental. just let the teeth rot.
You can visit the EDD and read about the extension. Its is supposed to be 7 weeks and then another 13 weeks for states with over 6% unemployment rate. Calif has the highest unemployment rate in the country thanks to the “adios suckers” movie star governor.
Don’t be surprised either if the EDD tries to jerk us around. When I read rules on qualifying, I clearly qualify and it is supposed to be simply a continuation from the last extension – not even filling out an application. But when I finally reached someone they were rude and told me otherwise.
I have some certain friends?? who are at my age and retired due to living I guess the perfect lives or being at the right place at the right time – mainly men who also have dumped their wives and now have the great pension and ss and full benefits who think that everything is just fine and that it’s just a bunch of illegal aliens trying to get something for nothing.
PS – I am so sick of seeing these “work from home” gimmicks that I want to throw up!!
Whatever you do, do NOT give your info or send them any money. They are rackets taking advantage of unfortunate people. Half of them aren’t even in the US.
also – how about returning all those “outsourced” jobs from India and elsewhere and employing us from our homes???
If your in Michigan,I just got to talk to someone at unemployment,Been calling nonstop for a week,,She said i was approved last week,they just have so many people getting it there behind on mailing,try calling Marvin on your regular day and time,say monday between 8 am and 10 am,,I dont know if this will work in other states.OLD BUSH FINALY DID SOMETHING FOR US PEEONS,,LOL..I hope everyone has a decent Xmas.
I’m HAPPY for you ROB. Have a good Christmas!
ROB I`AM HAPPY FOR YOU TO. AND HAPPY HOLIDAY`S MAY ALL YOUR WISHES COME TRUE. AND TO EVERYONE ELES GOD WONT BEAR SO MUCH ON YOU THAT YOU CAN`T HANDLE. JUST KEEP PRAYING. I GOT A CHECK LAST WEEK.
I lost my job in July ‘06 when my employer merged with a larger one. I’ve had only intermittent temporary jobs since then, and have collected my original 26 weeks of u.c., plus the first extension. Talk about the awful prospects for work! I’ve applied for AT LEAST 500 jobs, had several interviews. Nothing but temp jobs, and those are few and far between. This is in Ohio, and it’s so bad here I don’t know how it could be worse anywhere else.
If you haven’t taken advantage of the available assistance programs, I suggest you do! I’m collecting food stamps, and I qualify for HEAP. I get some LP gas for heating, and I’m on PIP, and my income is so low my payment for electricity is now ZERO! I also apply to charity organizations. One program made 3 mortgage payments for me! I go to the clinic that has a sliding fee scale (dental, too), and at the hospital I qualify for 100% coverage for all services. By the way, I also cleaned out my IRA’s. I hope we will get a break on those and can qualify for no penalties since we exhausted those as a last resort.
I don’t like having to scrounge for charity and ask for help. I’m 58, and this is the first time I haven’t been able to find a job since I was 15! Yes, I’ve
heard “overqualified” dozens of times, too. They used to tell us to get a degree so we would always be able to have a good job. I can’t believe the IDIOTS in this country voted for “W” twice! He bought those rigged elections, and look what he’s done to us. Clueless! To the woman who wants to kill that idiot, I have a gun you can borrow.
I live in Michigan and got my letter about the addtional extension on 12/9. Since my day to call was 12/8, I called MARVIN today, Thursday, 12/11 (make up day). I will get my payment tomorrow. It seems Michigan’s unemployed will get an additonal extension of 20 weeks. If you don’t get your letter by 12/13 call 1-800-500-0017. Keep calling until you get through. Very heavy call volume. THIS IS FOR MICHIGAN. I don’t know about other states. May God bless you as he has blessed me.
has anyone in fl recieved their letter yet??
Michigan here, I received my letter 12/9, I called today 12/11 which is the makeup day. Had to keep doing redial and eventually got through after trying for about 1/2 hour. The letter said that it is effective from 11/23, but since I didn’t get a letter until 12/9 does that mean I lost out on a check? Not being greedy here, but every bit counts, especially now!
TJ:
You didn’t miss out. Your payment will be for the two PREVIOUS weeks- starting November 23 (week #1) and November 30 (week #2). I did the same thing. Now we have 18 weeks left to draw UIC if we don’t find a job before then. I pray that we do . . . .
I live in Michigan and I ran out of benefits ran out early Nov. I did receive my letter and I certified haven’t received my check yet. Tried calling but says High Call Volume and hangs up. Anyone else having the same problem?
I had to go back to school in 2005 while my husband an Engineer was dying of cancer. He died in 2007. I rec’d his pension,stocks etc, which we had to live off as I could not find a job. I thought I would have this money for retirement, because I would have found a job, and so would not have to touch that money hah! I still cant find a job here in MI. I’m 53, and have sent hundreds of resumes in to no avail. Since I haven’t worked since 2005 I definitely dont qualify for unemployment.That money is a distant memory. I live in a rental townhouse that I’m getting evicted out of on Dec, 19., because I was late with rent twice and I didnt have enough money to pay the late fees. I owe my landlord $241.00 in late fees and yes they know my story, my utilities are due, no money to pay them. I have no money for Christmas, dont feel like celebrating except to praise my LORD that at least I am still breathing. I look for work everday. Send out resumes everday. I also apply to McDonalds, Target, Burger King
I’ve been contacting my Congressmen about an economic stimulus idea which entails allowing Unemployment Benefits paid during 2008 to count toward the Earned Income Tax Credit for the upcoming tax season. I’ve received back some encouraging reports regarding this issue. I encourage ALL of you to e-mail or write your congressmen asking for this very thing. It would put ALOT of extra money in the pockets of those who, like myself, were unable to find work all year long. Ask them, if for this year only, to include Claimed Unemployment Benefits for 2008 as Earned Income so that we may collect the much needed tax credit which can be upwards of $5,000.00! Thank you and God bless!!!
Where to begin??? I can’t wrap my mind around the current “SNOWBALL” of events which have occured and put so many hard working people in dire straits. People who have contributed to “The Great American Dream” and are now being SCREWED while major corporations (who contributed to this mess) are receiving government, hence, tax payer bailouts. Is This America??? As far as the unemployment extension…….WOW…..In Florida, the max is $275.00 per week. After taxes, it’s about $245.00. I’ve been unemployed since July of 07. As with many of you, I’ve sent out numerous resumes, filled out many applications, hit the phones….etc….. No one is hiring!!!!!
As to the Extension….what a joke…..you can’t reach anyone via phone…..the internet is a mess……I was finally able to claim my week ending 11/29. The instructions were to file on Tuesday, December 16. When I went online to file, the system told me that I had no more weeks to claim. Again……back on the phone…..to no avail…RECORDING….I realize that these agencies are bombarded and backlogged…..but boy…..just a shred of information would be better than nothing.
As to the infamous letter……never received one!
Maybe WE ALL should start BOMBARDING our local news media and have them start looking for some answers……I swear people still have their heads in the sand and are hoping it will all just “Go Away”….
Best Wishes to Everyone out there…..
I have been deferred to “over qualified” “not hiring yet” and so on. Sorry to say my only affordable nourishment is biting my nails. Government, get off the pot and strengthen our own economy!
I would like once again to say “Houston, the Eagle has landed”
NJ has an unemployment rate of 6 % in Sept. and Oct. and 6.1 % in Nov. Does this mean people in NJ are now entitled to 7 + 13 additional weeks of benefits?
Anyone in NJ receive a second unemployment extension letter yet?
I lost my job this summer and waited as long as I could to apply for unemployment,not realizing I would be overqualified for the majority of living-wage jobs I’ve applied for. I have a BA, MA and am in the 3rd year of a doctoral program. I am either overqualified because of my education, or underqualified because employers are being overly stringent about what they want. A rope company wants a salesperson, but not just any salesperson with years of experience- no, they want only someone with 7 years of ROPE sales experience. C’mon.
I had to stop applying for teaching positions because I cannot afford the $60 it costs to have my university transcripts sent to each school I apply to. Soon I will have no gas money to even get to interviews, and where I live right now, public transportation is nonexistent.
Unemployment would allow me to travel outside of this area to look for work, to apply to the teaching jobs I’m qualified for, to have interview clothes, car insurance, gasoline and food. I would also be able to keep a cell phone & P.O. box – required as a consistent point of contact since I’ve now lived with two different friends since losing my job.
After I use unemployment funds to handle these basic living and job-search requirements, what can I possibly do with the remaining money, Mr. Bush? Go out and get drunk every weekend with my Ivy League friends? Oops- no time- got more job applications to file.
I did get another extension for 7 weeks, the problem is that I get paid by a state where my company is based out of even though I never lived or worked in that state. Their state unemployment percentage is under 6.5% and the state and county which I live in is well over 7.5% in fact it is one of the hardest hit no work areas in the country.I have been trying to land a decent job for a long time but so are 1000’s of other jobless people.So now I am again in the process of starting my own business up to get around the no jobs here. But that takes time and money, and as most people in my situation my credit has took a pretty good hit through this ordeal, so that is not an option.My point is this I worked a full time job for nearly 32 years of my life, but I only get about another 4 weeeks of unemployment, and then what? It’s the worst time of the year for employers and workers in January. The encomomy here is awful! I’m thinking that I may need some more time on my extension then they gave me.I.m already getting really worried about being incomless in January.I can’t keep putting my fsmily through this emotional roller coaster of will we be cold and homeless or not.
Hello All…..
Just an update regarding FLORIDA’s Unemployment…..
Still have not rec’d anything in the mail. However, I was just able to claim my extended benefits online. For those of you who live in Florida….. Their webiste is http://www.fluidnow.com. Their phones are still jammed up (wonder if they’re hiring) so I think the internet is the best way to go. If you do not have a home computer/internet access, your local library will generally provide you with internet access free of charge for up to one hour….
Good Luck & Happy Holidays….
GERRY….
Just read your post. I don’t think you’re being given correct information. My company was based in Maryland but I live/worked in FLORIDA. My unemployment benefits are extended to 20 weeks since FLORIDA’S unemployment is over 7%. I know it’s frustrating, but you may want to look into this a bit further.
Best Wishes……
I live in NY, our unemployment rate just went over 6% for November. It was 5.7 in Oct, if it goes above for Dec will we get the 13 week extention??
The poor will always be poor. The rich will always be rich. ITS THE WORKING CLASS—the forever labeled “middle class” that continue to take care of both the rich and the poor. When we go to work, we pay for unemployment, welfare (THEY WILL PAY FOR YOUR ELECTRIC, CELL PHONE, GAS, HOUSE PHONE, CABLE–YES, THEY WILL), medicaid, food stamps, section 8 housing for the poor, education grants for the poor—we take care of the poor. So, if I were you, should you be on unemployment with no–nada, niente, nothing—employment in site for at least 8 weeks I suggest you get your ass down to Social Services and take what is yours: FOOD STAMPS, RENT, MEDICAID (IN CASE YOU’RE UNINSURED), AND SO ON. If you do have Unemployment you are not disqualified. If you are single, you are NOT =-REPEAT–not disqualified. Hey, no wonder why the poor continue to NOT WORK…Us poor working types are taking care of them so they can continue to do nothing. So screw the poor and screw the rich and get back at all of them by taking back what is YOURS, MINE OURS. I’m a U.S. Veteran and I can proudly say like the rest of you, I’ve done my time and worked my ass off and like lots of you cannot get a job because I’M OVERQUALIFIED. That means, employers would rather pay DIDDLEY to the little guy who didn’t go to college, who is probably living on welfare. So, take back what is yours America—and find NO SHAME in doing it.
I’m on my last pay out and haven’t recieved a letter about an extension yet (are they backlogged or something?) The wording on the website says I don’t have to do anything because an extension is going to be filed for me automatically. Can someone out there explain to me if im getting the extension or not? Apparently you cant call the unemployment office anymore. I would like to know this way if i don’t get an extension I can sell all my worldly posessions.
SO Ive been collecting in MA on the 7 week extension. I went to file my weekly claim online yesterday, and it said that the claim for week ending Dec 27 has already been completed. SO i hit the click here for more info link, and that said I need to file a claim?!! I called a # and entered my SSN, and it said I exhausted my extneded benefits, when I still have 4 weeks left…. I cant get through any phone number, what the hell is going on there?
Hello to the last two comments…..You’re not going to be able to through on phone….They’re so backlogged it isn’t funny. As to the internet….same thing….. My suggestion is to log on everyday (if you can) to your respective states site and keep trying….Our system in Floria has crashed several time due to the amount of people filing for extensions. When I first filed for my extension, via internet, I was also told that I had exhausted my benefits…I kept going on everyday and then finally was able to get through….I know it’s frustrating but keep trying….If you don’t have internet access, ask a trusted friend/family member to do it for you-however, remember, it’s very sensitive information. I suggest visiting your local library where it’s secure & best of all, FREE.
Good Luck……
Also…..I read that their may be another extension when Obama proposes his stimulus package….
Although…I’D PREFER A JOB!
Great comments folks, I too finally got a letter from the Florida unemployment folks acknowledging my eligibility for extended benefits (EUC), and thus I have been able to claim my extended benefits recently.
Where I am confused is the paperwork (total dollars/credits determined divided by the weekly benefit) says Im only eligible for 7 weeks (in addition to the 13 weeks I received from the orginal extension back in July)
All of the press releases and fanfare I have read about this implies since Florida has a high average unemployment rate, Floridians are elegible for for a total EUC of 33 weeks (13 from the orginal July extension plus 20 for the current November extension)
Any ideas what the great Florida Agency for Workforce Inovation is up to here?
Happy New Year! and Best Wishes
I worked for a non-profit for about a year and was fired when I got pregnant. Since they don’t have to pay unemployment, none of the wages I earned in the year I worked there counted… which means my weekly amount is only about half what it would be if I had been working for a “normal” company, and I am only eligible for about 14 weeks (compared to the 26 I would have gotten if I’d worked someplace else)… I read somewhere that you’re only eligible for the new extension if your original claim lasted for a certain period of time. Does anyone know if this is true? I’ve been trying to get a job, but I’m visibly pregnant now, so I’m not going to make it to the top of anyone’s list for a new hire! Even a 13 week extension would at least get me through to the other side of delivery so I’d have a shot at finding something! I’m scared to call and try to ask before my current UI runs out, but it’d really help me to know so I could try to plan a little better. I haven’t been without a job since I was 15, so this is REALLY frustrating… I’m incredibly lucky that I have parents who will let me live with them for free, but I still have other expenses (my car is in need of repairs, for instance), so I’m on the verge of being in pretty big trouble
As I understand it…..If you were out of work/involuntarily from May of 2006….and your State’s unemployment rate is over 6%, you should be eligble for the 20 week extension.
In Flagler County-Florida, I just read that the unemployment rate is up beyond 11%….
Also, due to budget cuts, “Workforce for Innovation”, a Florida unemployment agency, has shut down some of their locations…..
Seriously, I realize times are tough and we’d all rather be working in productive jobs…but “GOSH”……looks like our Gov’t is all jumping on the “BAILOUT BANDWAGON”….
I’ve got a decent “Printer”….I’m going start printing my own $$$$$$……So much for leaving those pennies on the floor when you drop them……I’m starting to love my copper Lincoln’s again……
Kim- Looks like you are correct. Thanks
I found this info below on the web:
Workers in high unemployment states are being informed that they are eligible for an additional 7 weeks of benefits, but they expect to be told that they are eligble for an additional 20 weeks of benefits.
The reason is that workers’ must first run out of their 7 weeks of additional first tier benefits to be eligible for the 13 weeks of second tier benefits. Workers can only collect the second 13 weeks of benefits if their state is in “triggered on” when the worker exhausts their first tier benefits. (When states have the required unemployment rate, they are considered to be “triggered on” to the additional second tier of benefits.) Thus workers who exhausted the first extension before 11/21/2008 were only technically eligible for the additional 7 weeks when they first reapplied.
I live in the gateway communiity for free trade Port Huron Michigan. NAFTA worked great here, We continue to lose jobs to Canada. Anther 1200 jobs from Blue Water Molding left America! Every Hour another long train pass my home after crossing through the tunnel onward to someplace in America. Not to mention the long line up on the Blue Water Bridges of Trucks traveling down I-69 and I-94.
Port Huron is Home to Thomas Edison and wages are lower than Detroit and Canada, yet we continue to lose jobs. During the Presidential Race not one canidate decided to come anywhere near here with unemployment reaching 20 percent.
We threw money at the banks and insurance companies, yet we made the US automakers beg on their knees. I wonder during the World Wars should have the Automakers made the US Government beg!
Our Government leaders need to get Real, How can these guys become millioniares in office making 30,000 to 70,000 a year? Do abyone expect the average America to have the same benifits as McCain and Obama talked about as they get? Let the Congressman and Senators give back as well during these difficult times and force the lobbies out and you must not be allowed to run for office while setting in another position! We Need to Take Back America! Free Trade is a Joke and it doesn’t benifit America in anyway! We are Losing Jobs! I am still waiting for my government bailout!
Here’s an update on the extended benefits and how to figure out what you qualify for:
http://www.unemployedworkers.org/extend_jobless_benefits/federal_jobless_benefits/twotiers.cfm
Well I just got a letter today from the state that is in control of my unemployment benefits even though I never worked or lived in that state and I only worked part of my total career detached from there.It said I had used up my extension and there would be no more paid on my claim. I called the work force developement ctr for the state that I actually live in to ask them why I didn’t receive the federal extension based on the unemployment percent here in this area which is much higher then the state that I was detached from. The lady told me that was just the way it was set up and nothing could be done about it. So I guess that’s it for me, doesn’t matter that I’ve worked for 36 years of my life full time, and there aren’t any decent jobs here right now to be had because all of our factorys have closed up and there are thousands of people all looking for work in my area.So I guess I have finally been put into checkmate.I have no other hope other then to pray that I get a decent job soon, or me and my family will probably be tent living soon.It’s a great country we live in isn’t it!
I have been unemployed since March 2007. I have been busting my butt since then to find a job and have been unable. I am earing impaired (not deaf) and have met some discrimination while applying for jobs and others I simply have not qualified for. I have a college degree for what its worth but it does not seem to be helping me. I even moved from FL to OH where I have more family but both states currently have an unemployment of 7.3%. The State of FL is dragging its feet on applying the unemployment extension passed by President Bush Nov 21. And Angela (and those like Angela) Bush signed the extension of unemployment to aide families, unemployment is not ment to support an entire family….stop complaining and spend your energy caring for your family and LOOKING FOR A JOB. You are being given assistance, not an income. I just encourage everyone to keep working to find anything for work. We will get through this as a nation. America is a strong people and we can get this fixed. God bless all!
Brian I am glad that you are not running this country if that is the way you feel about its displaced workers. We don’t need you to remind us to look for work most of us would battle for a decent job.
Sounds to me like you people lived beyond your means. I made good choices and lived within my budget; as a result i was able to maintain my standard of living while laid off. It is not he governments job to support you. Maybe you should ask the government to cut taxes and promote business growth instead of taxing it to death. It is time we stop taking money from those who give a damn and giving it to those who do not!!
I have a question – I lost my job back in December 06. Since then I have been on countless interviews and applied for numberous jobs and have found nothing. Even though it has been roughly 2yrs since my last job, could I still get Unemployment, cause I have NO more resources, all have been exhausted. I’m thinking there would be a “time frame” after losing your job, but I dont know and it seems that most of you know what you are talking about. Please, open to all advice and knowledge that can be shared.
I think it depends on what state you live in.
Thank you for responding. I don’t mean to come across ignorant about it all, but I have no idea how to find out. I live in SC if anyone can point me in the right direction.
plz anyone can u plz tell me after receiving the additional 7 wks. would u have to reapply to get the other 13 wks of 2nd tier or would it automatic kick in
Robert Johns…….
Why are you even on this site…..
GREAT….you made decisions which enabled you maintain your lifestyle……but for how long??? There are many circumstances which contibute to depleted incomes….
Get off your high horse!!!!
I truly hope nothing “Catastrophic” happens to you or your loved one’s…..You’re little nest egg may not measure up to expectations…
I JUST spoke with a woman at the California EDD Department on the phone after trying to get through for almost a month!
She had NO information on the second tier (additional 13 weeks of second extention). Said that to this date, all she knows is that the 7 week first tier extention (total of 20 weeks) is all they know of.
She said the public is finding out about this stuff before they do. What a load of crap!
I think it’s probably more likely that California intends to give us I.O.U.s for our Unemployment Benefits, like they want to do with our TAX RETURNS!
has anyone in florida heard anything about the 2nd tier of benefits. im on my last check and dont want my benefits to stop. Do I need to reapply or just claim the next 2 weeks im really confused
T. Elmore…..In Florida
Once your benefits run out (1st. tier), make sure you apply for your second tier. Go on to http://www.fluidnow.com and you should see a section for APPLICATION FOR EXTENDED EMERGERGENCY UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS……Print this out and mail it ASAP…..IT MUST BE MAILED IN…..
Trying to call them will get you no where!!!! They’re completely understaffed and often, their on-line system crashes due to the number of applicants.
Once you submit your application….try to go on their site on a regular basis and try to claim your weeks….DON’T get frustrated if you’re denied at first….
AGAIN….They are short staffed and it may take a few weeks to process your application.
Good Luck!!!!!!!!
Has anyone heard anything in kentucky about the second tier benefits? If so please let me know how it works because i have called the unemployment office and they never heard a thing which they never do. Please help me if someone knows anything. Thank you so much.
FYI, EVERY ONE WHO HAS FILE FOR THE LAST EXTENSION. WHEN YOU GOT YOUR LETTER IT SAID YOU WILL GET 14 MORE WEEKS READ IT VERY CAREFUL YOU WILL ONLY GET 9 WEEK. THAN IT WILL END THAN START BACK UP AGAIN . IT HAPPEN TO ME LAST WEEK I DID NOT GET A CHECK I WENT TO THE UNEMPLOYMENT OFFICE TO SEE WHAT HAPPEN TO MY UNEMPLOYMENT CHECK . AND THEY TOLD WE AT THE VERY BOTTOM OF THE LETTER NO ONE READ WHERE IT SAIDS 80% THAT MEANS YOU WILL ONLY GET 9 WEEKS NOT 14 WEEKS.BUT THEY TOLD ME TO STILL KEEP CALLING IN ON SUNDAYS THE GOVERMENT IS GOING TO SEND OUT ANOTHER EXTENSION ON THE 21 OF THIS MONTH. BUT I CALLED IN THIS SUNDAY I FORGOT HE TOLD ME THE CHECK WILL STARTED ALL OVER ON THE 21 OF THIS MONTH. I WAS LOOKING FOR ME AN CHECK TODAY DIRECT DEPOSIT, SO I CALLED THE UNEMPLOYMENT OFFICE AGAIN NOW THEY SAID GOV. HAD AN MEETING YESTERDAY IN DECIED TO SIGN IT LAST NIGHT AT 9PM. SO I WILL BE GETTING A CHECK TOMORROW INSTEAD OF THE 21 OF THIS MONTH. SO THOSE WHO DID NOT READ THEIR LETTER THE CORRECT WAY DO NOT BE SURPISE.
I sent an email to California Edd, and they actually phoned me. I spoke with a gentleman who was very knowledgable. He explained that the seven weeks of unemployment was part of the the July extension, and now that I have run out of that, I can call about the second extension which is thirteen weeks. I have been out of work since December 2007. I had worked a a professional in the Travel Industry for over 30 years. It is difficult at 59 to find a job. I have applied for over 1000 positions. I speak more than one language, however my second language is not Spanish. I am paying my Cobra Insurance which is 349.00 per month this will run out in May, private insurance will be over $500.00 per month which I cannot afford. It is a sad situation,when you consider that you have always been able to help your children,pay student loans ect, and now the time may come when you will have to depend on them for help. It is a lesson in humility.
IMPORTANT!!!!!!!!!!!!
I hope I get this right….
I was eligible for the 20 week extension since I live in FLORIDA and met the necessary criteria. HOWEVER, when I checked my direct deposit account today (Jan. 19), I only rec’d 1 of the 2 weeks I applied for. According to the letter I rec’d from http://www.fluidnow.com, I had to claim on Jan. 13th (Which I did) for my previous two weeks…..
Since I can’t get through to the agency, I pulled out all of my literature (What a confusing mess), and I as I understand it, the State must first exhaust the 1st tier (7 weeks), and then apply the next 13 weeks to the States that qualify.
So, If I figure this right, although my letter stated that I was eligible for the Jan. 10th claim (again, which wasn’t deposited), my 7th week expired on Jan 3rd and HOPEFULLY…..the second tier of 13 weeks will kick in……
OMG…..CAN THEY MAKE THIS ANY MORE CONFUSING??????
So, the purpose of my RANTING is that if you received only 7 weeks from the 1st. tier and thought that the 20 weeks were bundled…It’s not…..Qualifying States must go through the process……7 weeks then 13…….
I hope I haven’t CONFUSED you more…..
P.S. Untangling this mess is a Full Time Job…..I have a HEADACHE!!!
Good Luck…….
Kim
I had a similar expierience this week. I too claimed week 6 and 7 (of 7 weeks first tier) on Jan 13 (for weeks ending Jan 3 and Jan 10) .
When I checked my direct deposit advise on Jan 15 (when I would expect it to be posted), I too only received 1 week of benefits. However when I checked my direct deposit again the next day (Jan 16), the last (7th) week had also been posted. (strange that these 2 weeks of benefits would have been posted on separate days)
So based on that activity, I would conclude that I have receieved the last 7 weeks of tier 1 benefits. When I completed claming my weeks on Jan 13 (on line) , the website prompted me with a reminder that my next claim date was Jan 27. I presume that the tier 2 benefits will kick in when I claim them at that time.
That would jive with the info at the link the blog-mistress posted in post #112.
Keep us advised on your progress.
Good Luck
Tom
ty for the information but i talked 2 someone on the phone and she told me to keep calling in on my schedued days and soon as the account is set up i will automatic start receiving my benefits again. i dont know how true this is but just in case i printed the application and mailed it anyway better safe than sorry
TO: TOM IN FLORIDA…..
Sounds as if we’re on the same wavelength….On a personal note, should you care for some entertainment, check out a book by Kenny Shopsin/the Food & Philosophy….(I can’t repeat the rest of the title)…..
I rec’d it as a gift and it’s hysterical….I believe it’s on sale for half the price on amazon. Haven’t tried any of te recipes yet….but they’re certainly interesting…..
Best Wishes…..
The problem is that the local unemployment offices do not know what the new rules are example I live in Georgia in January 09 I recived a partial unemployment check when I called my local unemployment office I was told that I had used up all my extension.I knew that this was not correct.When I asked should I contiue to Certified I was told that there was no need but I did anyway 3 weeks later I recived 3 weeks of back unemployment and a letter stating 7 more weeks of unemployment.Its sad that Dept of labor dosent know the new law .
To Kim in Fla
I hope we will be on the same wavelength with a successful receipt of benefits from Tier II at the end of the month!
I listened to an interview with Kenny Shopin that is on Amazon, sounds like he acquired his customer service skills from the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation! (lol)
The food sounds good though.
Stay warm up there in Flagler County!
Please keep us posted
HEY TOM…….
Tier II kicked in……Thank God!
As to Kenny Shopsin…..I haven’t tried any of his recipes yet but the book itself is hysterical! I hope you get a chance to enjoy it……
Not sure where in Florida you live but hopefully the economy will begin to turn around and we can all get back to productive JOBS. $275.00 a week doesn’t really cut it for me……
Best Wishes……..
My husband, was fired from his job Jan 11, 2008, he received unemployment benefits till May 2008 and then found a job. He worked at that job until November 22. Then he was laid off and was told he might possibly be hired back on come the spring or summer. Now it is Jan 19, my husband goes to certify and it will only let him certify for the week of Jan 4-10. Now I am wondering why?? What is the reason? We live in Illinois. Anyone have any ideas??
I found out about the second tier benefits in kentucky. When you run out of your first tier benefits(7 weeks)you automatically qualify for your second tier benefits(13 weeks)so meaning when you call in your last check for the seven weeks you will only get paid for 1 week then 2 weeks after that will start your 13 weeks just alittle fyi if you live in kentucky…thanks…
I live in phoenix arizona, I lost my job on Sept 11 2007 and I have 3 more weeks of original unemployment. I have not recieved any information regarding extended unemployment. Will I get an extension? Is there a cut off date or anything I should worrie about? Thanks
Kyle
Ok im in Illinois and the unemployment keeps climbing. I was laid off in Feb 2007 and cant find a single job, there is nothing. I have applied everywhere. im now starting my second 13 week ext. I have exhaused the 26 the 13 and the additional 7. After this 13 weeks it will be 59 weeks total. What are we supposed to do when that is over and still no job?? OMG this is scary
Anyone??
Oops I was laid off in Feb 2008 not 2007. So I have been off almost a year. Can anyone help? Not sure what I will do if I dont get a job once the last extension runs out. OBAMA…. Help
To Kim in FL:
Your comments have been EXTREMELY helpful.. Thank you very much!! You did state that your TIER II benefits kicked in. I am still confused though.. My 1st TIER of benefits exhausted as of last week. Same thing happened to me, where I claimed my last 2 wks on the 13th and then my deposit(s) were 2 seperate checks… So the 7 is gone.. Now it just says that I have $0 Balance and now wks to claim. Again, I have tried to call and email no luck!! It says that we DO NOT NEED TO RE-APPLY because the Second Tier will automatically kick in.. So what do I do?? Another APP? or sit and wait?? How long did it take for you?? Any help would be awesome!!!
I have been collecting unemployment for unfortunately since April of 2008 and still cannot find a job.Now my benefits only take me untill mid March or so.My question is,with the unemployment rate hitting 10.6 percent here in Michigan as of yesterday,what are we supposed to do?
With everyone calling in i can’t get through to talk to anyone.I called Monday like i normally would and instead of MARVIN saying my check in $$$ amount will be issued the next business day,it says my certification has been accepted if eligable i will recieve a payment within 10 business days…? Why all of a sudden is it telling me different now?
It is Thursday now and normally i would have gotten the money deposited on Tuesday evening/Wed morning on that little debit card thing and i have nothing in the account…These unemployment people are BS,who and how am i supposed to get through to talk to an actual person to find out what is going on?I’m at my witts end with this garbage
Hi Joanne….I know, it’s a mess……The state is so overwhelmed that they can’t keep up. Also, I’m not sure if you’re signed up for direct deposit….I was & I think my delay (72 hrs.-for tier 2 to kick in), I believe is a result of my banking institution (local bank) which only operates during normal business hours & only posts deposits during those hours. Also there may be some delay as a result of MLK day and the innauguration of President Obama…..I know that in Central Florida/Britehouse Network has been experiencing internet problems due to overloads….
As to phoning/e-mailing the agency….don’t waste your time…..My advice is to make sure you’re signed up for direct deposit and keep checking your balance.
I STILL HAVE NOT rec’d any letter as to my eligibilty for tier II, however when I checked my bank balance, it did come through. Give it a few more days…..From what I gather on the “LOCAL NEWS”…..There have been several complaints recently so, hopefully something/someone will realize that this is an enormous problem and correct it soon….
Best wishes & let me know how you make out…..
Thank you so much Kim, you have been a great stress reliever.. Maybe they should hire you!! LOL!! I did get another Unemployment Packet in the mail today, so I am assuming TIER II is in the works.. I guess I won’t complete another new app for benefits and just keep checking like you said.. I do have DD, I would not have it any other way!! Thanks Again and hopefully it will show up soon… Sure could use it!!!
HAH!!!!!!!!!!! I’d probably be considered “Overqualified”……Besides, where would “THEIR” job security go if everyone had the proper information to begin with??????
after the 13 week extension of tier II benefits if we are unable to find a job will there be a third extension..? Does anyone know the answer to this? When Bush left office on Tuesday I hope everyone sang NA NA NA NA NA NA NA NA HAY HAY HAY GOOD BYE! God hep us all.
Hey i just found out about the Tier II benefits. I just happened to log into the
DCNetworks.org system to check and see if the tax info had been mailed out to last years unemployment recipients and that is when i saw that there was a new balance in the unemployment screen for me.
So I filed my claim just then.
Hey Thanks Bush for that one…..and Welcome Obama….hoepfully he will probably give us another extension after this one…
Everyone in FL will get a kick out of this. I received my tier 1 application the friday before xmas and mailed it in the monday before xmas. I kept checking my fluidnow info online to see if it updated and it didn’t. So 2 weeks ago I said let me see if it will let me claim any weeks and it let me claim 1 week. But the info still hadn’t updated. So I kept checking every day until a week ago Tuesday when it finally updated and let me claim 2 weeks and said that the other check for 275.00 was issued the day before. I went on wednesday and it let me claim my balance of 462.00 and said my 550.00 check was issued the day before. So not only did I claim all of my money but received all of it within 1 week. Plus it was telling me the dates that I had to claim weeks on were dated in November and December. Even the paperwork that I was finally sent had a current date but said that my first date to call was on 12/9/08. So the last day I claimed was last Wednesday and my fluidnow info still shows that I have a zero balance. With how screwed up the dates that they have for me are, technically my tier 2 should have kicked in already. This is beyond FUBAR!
Okay this morning my fluid now info updated with my tier 2 credits although it said that the date to file was 1/10/09. So I claimed for 2 weeks and then it said I claim again this Monday. Tres bizarre!
I just talked to the PA unemployment office about the Tier 2. He said Tier 2 will automatically kick in. You will receive your last 1 week pay (week 7 of tier 1) then 2 weeks later file again and you’ll be in for the next 13 weeks. THANK GOD. I’ve been going on interviews left and right and applying everywhere. The only places that seem to be hiring are commission based and what good is commission based when the economy sucks?
I just received my last two week check on the 7 week 2nd extension from California and I have a single week left. I can’t get through on the phone to find out if they will send me claim forms for the other 13 weeks or not. Does anyone from California know? I am 61 years old and this is the first time I have been unemployed since I was 17. I can retire and get ss and pension from the 3 corporations I worked for later in the year when I turn 62 so I hope Obama is going to do another extension because at my age ,despite all of my experience and education no one wants to hire me. I know there are a lot of others in the same situation.
Hi Richard…..
Your Tier II benefits for 13 weeks should kick in soon. Mine took a while due to understaffed unemployment agencies, computer crashes and the increase of applicants.
As to another extension…..I certainaly hope so…..looks like it’s going to get worse before it gets better…..
Best Wishes….
To Kim et all in Fla
Just a update on my progress. If you recall i claimed (and later received with 2 separate deposits) my benefits for week 6 &7 (of 7)for Tier 1 on Jan 13.
13 days later I received a letter for Monetary (credits) Determination for 13 weeks of Tier II . I have not as of yet received a letter telling me to claim any Tier II weeks.
So today, their website allowed me to claim my first 2 weeks of Tier II (today is the next claim date they prompted me with on Jan 13)
The Agency for Workforce Innovation’s web site was sooooo sloooow today. (I think I did 3 loads of laundry waiting for my entries to be accepted and the next screen to appear)
Kenny Shopsin has nothing on these guys (at least Kenny will trade insults with you while you are waiting and you get a great meal at the end)
I think another factor here is that the USPS snail mail is taking longer than usual which is delaying all of these paper notices from arriving in a timely fashon.
So presuming a deposit appears at the end of the week, I should be on my way. (until my next job or a possible next extension)
Thanks to the Blog Mistress, Kim and everyone who posted here. I was able to learn much more useful information here than most of the useless government websites (You would think since the government is running these programs that they could provide some useful information, perhaps my expectations are too high)
The frustration is wide spread. I saw a human interest story on Channel 9 in Orlando last week, where a elderly gentlemen had been laid off and wasnt getting anywhere on claiming his benefits, Channel 9 went to Tallahassee on his behalf.
Good luck to everybody out there. Remember economics is cyclical, you cant have good economic times without bad economic times, and the bad times will pass.
I wish you all the best on your employment prospects.
If you have a chance, read yesterday’s (Jan. 27th) article in the ORLANDO SENTINEL….Page A2…..”WHAT THE STIMULUS PACKAGE MIGHT DO-NOT DO”….Submitted by The Associated Press….The last Q&A is interesting….
Q…….What if I still can’t find a job after the plan goes into effect???
A…….Obama’s stimulus proposal would continue an emergency extension until the end of 2009. The program, which provides up to 33 weeks of additional payments, is set to expire in March…
Any thoughts???????
Florida BLOG GODDESS……
Hello All…..
Just got an e-mail….Here’s the link….
http://www.bornagainamerican.com
VERY POWERFUL….Listen to it at least twice…Have Kleenex Handy…..
CORRECTION TO THE ABOVE MESSAGE:
THE CORRECT LINK IS:
http://www.bornagainamerican.org
It’s NOT a religeous campaign….
Sorry about the mistake….but please take time to listen to it…..& if you agree, sign the pledge…….
Hi Kim-
Glad to see you got a promotion (lol). Good catch in the Sentinal.
The way in interpret this is: All Tier 1 benefits end in March of 2009, if you have Tier II benefits flowing, you will continue to receive them for a total of 13 weeks or until August (which ever comes first). This is clarified with the verbiage below that I got from the link @ post #112.
So Im not sure what the Q&A in the Sentinal means, does it mean that if Mr. O’Bama’s package as currently proposed passes, that the March 09 deadline for Tier 1 benefits will simply be extended (so people can complete receipt of their Tier 1 bennys and proceed with Tier II where elegible?). Or would this be a whole new extension whereby people that have received their full Tier 1 and Tier II benefits will have their benefits extended (dare I say Tier III…….)
Im all wore out trying figure out what these guys mean when they talk about this stuff, I need a decoder ring.
I hope the Goddess role works for you. I’ll post if I find any more info on this proposed “new” extension.
Be gentle with your subjects up there in Flagler (lol)
Tom
“EUC Deadline Still March 2009: The EUC will be available to workers who exhaust their
state benefits before the end of March 2009. However, anyone who qualified before the
deadline will continue to receive their full weeks of EUC benefits under the new program (with all
benefits ending in August). Thus, Congress and the President will have to take up another
extension of benefits early in 2009 before the program expires.”
YES….I’ve promoted myself from Blog Mistress to “Goddess”….Have to keep myself entertained….I’m actually making myself a TIARA with paper plates & macaroni…a touch of sea salt makes it sparkle….Kidding..
Honestly, I’m not clear on the Sentinel article. My tier II will expire late March/early April.
HEY…if you send me a “DECODER RING”……I’ll make you a macaroni “TIARA”……
FLORIDA BLOG GODDESS…..
Does this sound right to anyone in NJ? I was collecting Tier 1 benefits (the two checks in Dec) but after the 25th, they just stopped. I went to the Center in Jan and they said I had to refile because my “benefit year” ended Dec 27. I got a response the next day saying I’m ineligable because I was unemployed the last 18 months? (uh duh, wasn’t this the reason for EUC?) Anyway, does that sound right to you all, I can’t receive balance of my Tier 1, or if necessary Tier II because my benefit year expired? Any comments would help, I’m going crazy here. Thanks!
Hey-
I think you should post a pic of yourself in that TIARA holding the handbook of the Agency for Workforce Innovation (LOL)
You could be their poster-girl……..
I live in Los Angeles, CA and I have 1 more payment on my unemployment, and unfortunately, I still cant find gainful employment.
I was wondering does the extension kick in automatically, or do I have to file for it?
Thanks in advance!
Angmar in LA,
In CA, when you receive the last payment check, there will be instruction on it. If it says no action is required, you don’t need to do anything. Otherwise you file again online.
O.K……Just read the Orlando Sentinel and according to the NEW Passed Stimulus package, the Emergency Unemployment will be extended until DEC. 09, plus an additional $25.00.
In addition, On Yahoo, an AP article stated that the EUC (emergency unemployment compensation) will be extended for an ADDITIONAL 33 weeks until the end of Dec. 09.
TOM:
WOW, with this economy, my next resume will include “Professionally Unemployed FLORIDA BLOG GODDESS. I want my decoder ring!
Good info Kim
My first 2 weeks of Tier II benefits were sucessfully deposited today, so I think we have that conquered.
That would be amazing if they extended it for another 33 weeks. (I’ll bet we will have a good time figuring out how to claim that one). The Senate will fight over the bill for a while so we’ll see what happens.
Hows this for a decoder ring?
V
—
/ \
| |
\ /
—
Do I get a macaroni TIARA now?
********
^^^^^^^^
^^^^^^^^
(0) (0)
0
www
OK….I have too much time on my hands!
Your Tiara looks better than my ring (the blog compressed it when it posted)
Have a good weekend
Tom
The Senate still has to pass that stimulus bill with the extension to the end of the year. They may pass it intact or change it-Here’s hoping!!
im trying to find out if i would get the second tier when triggered on in ma i got the first 13 then got a letter a few wks later for 7 more now my benifits ran out 3 wks ago will i still get the second tier as im haven a hard time finding work?
Hey PT,
Hey ur case sounds very familiar to me. The exact same thing happened. And I kept calling and calling the unemployment office so i eventually went in and got the matter taken care of. So you might have to actually GO down to the unemployment office and explain your case.
And I haven’t had a problem getting my checks since….
Good Luck…frm Jovan in DC
ok..so i read all the florida comments and i’m confused as ever. just exhausted my 26 weeks..do i have to file for additional 13 or are they automatic..and am i getting it right that due to high unemployment rate in fl(over 6%) there is an additional 7 weeks (provided rate is still over 6% for 3 months at the time i exhaust 13 weeks)
oh and just for the record..i thought i was intelligent until i became unemployed in Florida…now i’m just confused and stupid!!!thanks for any help provided.
For all of you Californians receiving your 7 week extension. I received my last check today and on the stub it told me I was qualified for the final 13 weeks and claim forms would come automatically–nothing to do on my part. I wish California let you do your weekly claims online and had direct deposits like a lot of the other states, but apparently their computer system is 30 years old and couldn’t handle the load so its the US Mail
Rose Ann…..Go online to http://www.fluidnow.com.
If you’ve exhausted your first 26 weeks, you should be able to apply for EUC (Emergency Unemployment Compensation). YES…YOU MUST APPLY FOR THE EXTENSION……
Hope this helps & good luck….Let us know how you make out…..Seems like we Floridians are dominating this blog page…..
Kim
I’m looking for someone collecting unemployment who is willing to talk to a reporter about their experiences. If you’re interested email me: jobsearch.guide@about.com
Thank you!
Richard in California, Hi!
I am in California and have a question. I initially used my 26 weeks, then got the 13 week automatic extension, and then the 7 week automatic extension. I only have one more check left of that. So did you mean that once that last check comes, I should be qualified to receive an additional 13 weeks? Did you also use your 26 weeks, 13 weeks, then 7 weeks and now they gave you another 13 weeks? If so, that is promising news! Thanks for the info and reply, let me know soon!
I WILL BE RUNNING OUT OF UNEMPLOYMENT IN MARCH
OF 2009. I HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND ANY WORK
AT ALL. SO I WOULD LIKE TO KNOW IF I COULD APPLY FOR MY EXTENSION NOW.
2-4-09 THANK YOU
Hi Lindsay, yes I received the 26, the 13, and the 7 and the good news is that two days after I received the final check for week 7 on Monday, I received the claim forms for the start of the final 13 weeks. They must have hired some more people at EDD or gave some Red Bull to their computer or something like that.
Good Luck to you.
Anna if you are on the first 26 weeks you must apply for the first 13 week extension. In California you have to wait until the final check for the 26 weeks is issued before you can apply which means you have a 2 to 4 week break between checks. Maybe its faster in the other states that do it online unlike California which uses the mail. The other 7 week and 13 week extensions you don’t have to apply for.
Good Luck to you.
This is for EVERYONE! Does anyone know if those of us who cannot find a job still qualify for the stimulus which should go out in June? Do our benefits count as earned income or not? I last worked in February of 2008. Hoping and wondering…
Looks like the stimulas progam only will help people that were layed off between September 2008 and now. What about the rest of us that are really hurting. My wife was laid off in Dec 2007 and I was laid off before that. So why dont’ we qualify for extended COBRA and assistance with our health care?
OK–who understands ui benefits under the new stimulus package. I was laid off in Feb of 2008 and now I am on the final 13 weeks and still can’t find a position. Am I reading that I won’t be eligible for the extension to 12-31-2009? Am I reading that I won’t get help with my cobra payments because I have been off too long? I hope I am reading this wrong.
RE: STIMULUS EXTENSION-PRESIDENT OBAMA
I’m just as confused as most of you. I’m not sure what the parameters/qualification requirements are. According to what I’ve been reading in the local papers,I don’t think anything has been solidified yet.
President Obama will be touring some states this week….including Illinois, 15% unemployment and Florida, which is above 8%. Hopefully, this experience will inject some urgency into creating a responsible Stimulus Package to those who really need it……
I have also been unemployed since February ‘08 – was in housing/construction industry. Do those of us who have been out of work a year or more not qualify for an additional extension? I hope this isn’t the case, please help me understand this process -I’ve never been unemployed before, worked full time 30+ years, cannot find work!
I am also unemployed since December23. In IT field and i think so that the economical crisis will be finished in few months. And it will be reopening in jobs.
==================================
Franke
recruitment agency
******* URGENT NEWS FLASH *********
TO: Current recipients of EUC-Tier2 benefits.
—————————-
When your current EUC-Tier2 benefits are exhausted, you will NOT get any more Emergency Unemployment money under this 2009 Stimulus Package!!
In other words, there is NO 3rd EUC extension (e.g. EUC-Tier3), provided by this Stimulus package, for the MILLIONS of long-term unemployed Americans who have still been unable to find employment!
Yep–you read that correctly!
Astonishingly, I have YET to see ANY news network talk about this subtle ommision (potential catastrophe, IMHO), inherent in this 2009 Stimulus package.
As a result, MILLIONS of unemployed Americans will fall off the official UNEMPLOYMENT-RATE statistics. The Federal Gov’t (effectively) says that you are OFFICIALLY no longer “unemployed!”
Incredible.
More critically, however, you will NOT get anymore Unemployment money (EUC or otherwise)!
Yes–you read that correctly, too!
The 2009 Stimulus package merely extends the DEADLINE for NEW EUC applications, from March 2009 until Dec 2009.
In other words, ONLY unemployed folks who have exhausted (or will exhaust by Dec 2009) their regular, State-funded unemployment benefits are helped by this 2009 Stimulus package! THEY can get EUC benefits.
———————
Personally, I think that the failure to incorporate a “EUC-Tier3″ benefit into this 2009 Stimulus Package is a TRAVESTY of historic porportions (given the scope & severity of the current Unemployment/Economic crisis)!
Congress absolutely needs to DO SOMETHING NOW to help these long-term unemployed folks, who will soon fall thru the cracks.
EARNED INCOME reply — for Christineann
—————————–
Unemployment Income is NOT considered “earned income,” by the IRS.
Go checkout the IRS’ website & see for yourself.
The IRS has a simple, quick & FREE, online interactive Earned-Income “calculator” that enables one to input their sources & amounts of income.
Their calculator then automatically determines whether your income is “earned” or not. You get the results/answer instantly!
Unemployment is taxable income. From the IRS: Unemployment compensation is includible in gross income. You must report unemployment compensation on line 19 of Form 1040, line 13 of Form 1040A, or line 3 of Form 1040EZ.
Here are the details:
http://www.irs.gov/taxtopics/tc418.html
WASHINGTON – More jobless workers would get fatter unemployment checks longer in the massive economic recovery package moving forward in Congress.
Helping the nation’s jobless has not been a controversial part of the stimulus package. Both the House and Senate versions offer an extra $25 a week in jobless benefits to millions of workers through the end of the year. The current average weekly benefit is roughly $300.
It also would keep unemployment checks coming through the end of 2009 for more than 3 million people whose state benefits will run out after March.
The nation lost nearly 600,000 jobs last month, the worst showing in a third of a century, as a vicious cycle of cutbacks by consumers forced ever more layoffs by beleaguered employers. The unemployment rate catapulted to 7.6 percent, the highest in 16 years, and seemed headed for double digits.
The stimulus would give states $500 million to help process the flood of unemployment applications. There’s been such a crush that some states are running out of money, forcing them to tap federal coffers to keep sending out unemployment checks. Computer systems in New York, North Carolina and Ohio have been shut down by technical glitches and heavy volume, and labor officials in other states are reporting higher-than-normal use.
The Senate bill also includes a provision that would suspend federal income tax on the first $2,400 that jobless workers receive in unemployment benefits.
“It goes a long way to fill the gaps in the unemployment program, but this is going to be a long recession, so more may be needed down the road,” said Maurice Emsellem, policy co-director of the National Employment Law Project in New York.
The stimulus package also would give $7 billion to states that adopt reforms that make it easier for part-time workers, low-wage earners and women qualify for benefits.
Moreover, lawmakers are considering providing health care to unemployed workers, but it’s unclear whether the House and Senate can reconcile their differences on this idea.
“Extending Medicaid to these workers would be a huge boost,” said Elise Gould, an economist with the liberal Economic Policy Institute. “If they get sick, or someone in their family gets sick, they’re going to go totally broke. Medicaid is what they really need.”
Lawmakers also are thinking about changes to COBRA — a law that allows jobless workers to pay to keep health insurance from their old jobs for up to 18 months. It’s expensive for people to buy that insurance, so Congress is considering whether to offer subsidies to help the unemployed stay insured.
While the stimulus would cushion the blow for unemployed workers, employment prospects are grim. Tens of thousands of layoffs are being announced every week by well-known companies such as General Motors Corp., Pfizer Inc., Estee Lauder Cos., Caterpillar, Microsoft Corp. and Home Depot Inc. Besides job cuts, companies are imposing hiring freezes.
And economists say the worst is yet to come.
This is from the Associated Press today !
OK… IM TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THIS … SO IF THE STIMULUS PASS, THE ONES GETTING THEIR LAST 2ND TIER OF BENEFITS,WILL CONTINUE TO GET BENEFITS UNTILTHE END OF THE YEAR WITH AN EXTRA $100 A MONTH. IS THIS HOW THIS WORKS. LET ME KNOW SO CONFUSED.
I sure hope that is how it will fall but from what’s being said and heard i don’t think us that are on our last tier extension will be eligable for another extension until the end of this year.That just doesn’t make sense to me though.Of all the jobs being lost every day now, how are we supposed to find employment since the worst has yet to even come? That just wouldn’t be fair to us,this isn’t our choice to be layed off/unemployed.
“OK… IM TRYING TO UNDERSTAND THIS … SO IF THE STIMULUS PASS, THE ONES GETTING THEIR LAST 2ND TIER OF BENEFITS,WILL CONTINUE TO GET BENEFITS UNTILTHE END OF THE YEAR WITH AN EXTRA $100 A MONTH. IS THIS HOW THIS WORKS. LET ME KNOW SO CONFUSED. ”
This is exactly what I am trying to find out and no one seems to know,I did find a provision for tier 3 in house bill 5688 of last year,which is still in effect,if true then tier 3 is 100 percent federally funded (states pay zero) and it is depending on the rate of unemployment in your state at the time.http://www.govit.com/vote/congress.aspx?bill=2008-hr-5688
“4/3/2008–Introduced.Targeted Assistance to Restore Growth in Employment Throughout 2008 Act, or the TARGET Act – Provides for federal-state agreements under which a state will make targeted extended unemployment compensation payments, for any week of unemployment beginning in the individual’s eligibility period, to individuals who: (1) have exhausted all rights to regular compensation under such state law; (2) have no rights to compensation (including both regular and extended compensation) with respect to a week under such law or any other state or federal unemployment compensation law (and are not paid or entitled to be paid such additional compensation); and (3) are not receiving compensation for such week under the unemployment compensation law of Canada. Declares that such period of eligibility shall consist of any week which begins between April 1, 2008, and March 31, 2009. Denies eligibility to an individual unless his or her benefit year ends on or after July 1, 2007. Specifies criteria for Tier-1, Tier-2, and Tier-3 periods of increasing unemployment in a state for purposes of calculating payments under this Act. Prescribes formulas for crediting amounts to recipient accounts for each period. Requires federal payments to states in the amount of specified percentages of the targeted extended unemployment compensation payments a state has paid to individuals. Sets such percentages with respect to a week at: (1) 50% for a Tier-1 period; (2) 75% for a Tier-2 period; and (3) 100% for a Tier-3 period. Provides for handling of fraud and overpayments of such compensation.”
So does that mean that extending this program automatically kicks in tier 3 in high unemployment states?You would think so,but I cant seem to get an answer either…
Allison,
You are absolutely correct– Unemployment Income is “TAXABLE.”
In my earlier response, I never said that U.I. was “not taxable,” as your post appears to insinuate. I said that Unemployment Income is not “EARNED” income.
They are BOTH taxable!
“Taxable” and “Earned” are two totally different things, relative to the TAX CODE!
If one’s income is “Earned,” for instance, then the tax code contains provisions that allow for (possibly) additional tax breaks and/or tax credits; whereas “unearned” income does not qualify.
This is why, in part, the IRS makes a dinstinction between “UNEARNED income” and “EARNED income.”
———————————
Go to the IRS’ website, then SEARCH “earned income.” You’ll see all the distinctions, components and rational behind it:
http://www.irs.gov
Steven,
Here is the way that I understand the UNEMPLOYMENT aspect of this 2009 Stimulus proposal:
——————————
1) The current Federal EUC-Tier2 benefits program expires on March 31, 2009…..
2) This is the last date (deadline) in which short-term unemployed folks (i.e. the ones that are currently receiving their REGULAR State-funded Unemployment benefits) could qualify and APPLY for the FEDERAL EUC-Tier2 benefits.
3) In other words, if their regular unemp benefits (checks) don’t run out until sometime AFTER March 31st, then those folks are TOO LATE to apply for EUC money!
They did not (could not) apply before the March 31st DEADLINE!!
4) Note: An unemployed person CANNOT apply for any Federal EUC money until AFTER their regular, State-funded Unemp benefits (checks) have been used up…..
5) Therefore, every single one of those MILLIONS of short-term unemployed folks, in the above instance, would not get another dime of unemployment money!
6) The 2009 Stimulus package merely extends the DEADLINE to APPLY (i.e. NEW unemployed applicants–those who have NEVER applied for this Federal EUC-Tier2 money), from March 31st to Dec 2009!
7) This stimulus package does NOT give any additional money (e.g EUC-Tier3) for those long-term unemployed folks (i.e. the ones who have received EUC-Tier1 and/or EUC-Tier2 money).
9) On top of that, the Federal Gov’t then OFFICIALLY says that you are no longer “unemployed!” They STOP COUNTING you, as part of the “unemployment” data.
It’s no joke. It should be a crime!
——————————
I HOPE and pray that my “unemployment” interpretation/information of this 2009 Stimulus proposal is incorrect! This would allow Millions of unemployed Americans to simply fall thru the cracks, and suffer untold problems!
If my interpretation is correct, then this would be a travesty and catastrophe, of historic proportions!
HR 5688,which is an active bill,already has provisions for a 3rd tier,the way I read it,its just that no one has reached it yet.
http://www.govit.com/vote/congress.aspx?bill=2008-hr-5688
“Specifies criteria for Tier-1, Tier-2, and Tier-3 periods of increasing unemployment in a state for purposes of calculating payments under this Act. Prescribes formulas for crediting amounts to recipient accounts for each period. Requires federal payments to states in the amount of specified percentages of the targeted extended unemployment compensation payments a state has paid to individuals. Sets such percentages with respect to a week at: (1) 50% for a Tier-1 period; (2) 75% for a Tier-2 period; and (3) 100% for a Tier-3 period. Provides for handling of fraud and overpayments of such compensation.”
So by extending the progam,they are allowing tier 3 to “kick in”,thats the way I read it,hope im right…
Ann,
The Tier3 that you’re referring to has ALREADY kicked in, for States that haves unemployment rates above 6%. This “Tier3,” to which you refer is actually the 2nd-part of EUC-Tier2.
Those States are considered to be “triggered on,” and therefore eligible for the 2nd-part of EUT-Tier2 benefits.
Click on this link, to see all the details:
http://www.unemployedworkers.org/extend_jobless_benefits/federal_jobless_benefits/twotiers.cfm
————————-
Again, if you’re receiving EUC-Tier2 (part 1, or part 2 = Tier3), then once your money runs out you won’t get anymore checks.
The 2009 Stimulus proposal does NOT give these folks any more unemployment money, of any kind!
http://nelp.3cdn.net/9daaa3ae5486e99484_elm6bnct9.pdf I urge everyone who is receiving extended benefits to read this. It states that there is not a provision to extend unemployment again for those of us who are already on the extensions, either in the House or the Senate. It only pertains to those recently unemployed or nearing the end of their regular unemployment benefits.
Ann,
Here’s one more thing that I forgot to address/clarify, concerning your described EUC-Tier3:
—————————-
1) The 2009 Stimulus merely “extends the DEADLINE” to APPLY for EUC benefits, only!
2) It has NOTHING to do with “allowing Tier3 to kick in”, as you described.
3) These two events are totally seperate.
3a) The 2009 Stimulus proposal does not address a “EUC-Tier3.”
3b) Stimulus 2009 contains NO MONEY for a “EUC-Tier3″.
4) Note…. The so-called “EUC-Tier3″ is actually EUC-Tier2, phase 2. I’ll describe it, later…
5) For now, recall this….. A June 2008 Unemp. bill extened EUC benefits, for the very 1st time. It was called EUC-Tier1.
6) June’s EUC-Tier1 expired….. This prompted the urgent passage of a 2nd Unemp bill–November 2008 (EUC-Tier2).
7)November’s EUC-Tier2….This 2nd Unemp. bill passed consisted of 2-parts/phases.
9)EUC-Tier2, phase2…..(this is actually the “EUC-Tier3″ as you previously described it) provided for 13 MORE weeks (7 weeks + 13 weeks = 20 weeks total), POSSIBLY.
10) Anyway, EUC-Tier2 phase2……provided the 13 weeks of additional money, ONLY if & when the following criteria is met:
11) IF….. the unemployed worker lives in a state with an unemployment rate of 6 percent or above (over a three month period), workers are eligible for an ADDITIONAL 13 weeks of EUC-Tier2 money.
12) Note…. States meeting the “6% Unemployment threshold” described above is what “allows” (more accurately, “triggers”) this EUC-Tier2, phase 2 (i.e Again, this is what you described as “EUC-Tier3″) to kick in.
13) Once the EUC-Tier2, phase 2 benefits (i.e. those additional 13 weeks of checks) run out, then those unemployed folks are COMPLETELY OUT OF LUCK and TOTALLY OUT OF unemployment MONEY! Period.
14) The 2009 Stimulus does NOT give these unemployed folks any more money!!
———————————
I apologize for such a long post.
I hope this helps clarify things, however.
This is really disturbing. I have sent emails off to my state senators and reps who are discussing this bill this week. I urge every one else to do the same. I am going to be in trouble because my benefits end in mid April. I don’t know how much longer after April I can keep paying Cobra payments of $730. per month
Has anyone been told to file a new claim at the end of the benefit year. I wonder if when I do that, would I be covered under the stimulus. My original claim was filed in 02/08 and I am now being told to file a new claim on 02/15/09. I’m hoping they will approve it. Anyone got any ideas?
I have been unemployed since DEC 2007.
Last week I received my first check of the last round of UI benefits (the last 13 weeks). COBRA is $700 a month and will run it’s 18 month course in June 2009. I am a cancer survivor, so no hope of being accepted to buy my own policy.
I read/watch ALL info about stimulus, and it appears that if you’re in my boat:
-Once you exhaust the second ext (the last 13 wks) you are DONE collecting.
-If you paid for COBRA out of your savings, you are SOL. No 50 or 65% help out from the stim package like those just starting to collect will receive.
-The government will be glad to see us go. Then they can focus on these who MAY lose their jobs or MAY lose their houses.
-If you are a construction worker, you will probablt be able to find a job.
You can also call or write to the President:
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Phone Numbers
Comments: 202-456-1111
Switchboard: 202-456-1414
FAX: 202-456-2461
A provision added at the last minute is likely to be of particular interest to unemployedworkers.org members. The final package included reforms that could help as many 850,000 workers get additional benefits after they run out of EUC this spring. This is result of changes to the Federal Extended Benefits program (EB) which could provide 13-20 weeks of extra benefits after EUC depending on the state’s unemployment rate and state law provisions. NELP will be working hard to make sure states change their laws so that as many as workers as possible can get these benefits. We’ll be posting more about this soon. You can see where your state stands now by viewing the table below.
All of us at NELP appreciate the major stresses facing today’s unemployed, but hope that this federal action will ease the challenges you and your families are facing.
Sincerely,
Andy, Maurice, Judy, Christine, Rick and Debbie
National Employment Law Project
LINK TO CHART…
http://www.nelp.org/page/-/UI/EBUpdateFeb2009.pdf
HELLO, I LIVE IN OHIO AND IM CONFUSED ABOUT THIS EXSTENSION FOR UNEMPLOYMENT…I HOPE SOME ONE CAN HELP ME. I HAVE RECIEVED THE 13 WKS OF EXTENDED BENEFITS, AND I RECIEVED THE 7 ADDITIONAL WEEKS OF BENEFITS, AND IM ON MY LAST WEEK OF BENEFITS, DOES THIS NEW STIMULAS BILL GIVE ANY MORE ADDITIONAL WEEKS? HAVE I USED UP ALL OF THE BENEFITS, AND AM I ELIGIABLE FOR 13 MORE WEEKS???? THANKS A BUNCH
“HELLO, I LIVE IN OHIO AND IM CONFUSED ABOUT THIS EXSTENSION FOR UNEMPLOYMENT…I HOPE SOME ONE CAN HELP ME. I HAVE RECIEVED THE 13 WKS OF EXTENDED BENEFITS, AND I RECIEVED THE 7 ADDITIONAL WEEKS OF BENEFITS, AND IM ON MY LAST WEEK OF BENEFITS, DOES THIS NEW STIMULAS BILL GIVE ANY MORE ADDITIONAL WEEKS? HAVE I USED UP ALL OF THE BENEFITS, AND AM I ELIGIABLE FOR 13 MORE WEEKS???? THANKS A BUNCH ”
Jamie,we are still waiting for the final draft of the stim pack,but it looks like your state will qualify you for 13-20 more weeks,but they have to allow for it in their state law(dont ask me why)keep your fingers crossed,but it looks pretty good,same as my state missouri….
************TOM**************
Are you still there??
Just curious as to your insight regarding post#201……
Baffled & Bewildered…….
We’re definitely going tohave to put the decoder ring & tiara to work…..
*******
^^^^^^
^^^^^^
(0) (0)
o
WWW
I just found this in the pdf of the final draft of the Stim package….
“Full Federal Funding of Extended Unemployment Compensation for a
Limited Period (House bill n.a.j Senate bill n.a.j Conference agreement
Sec. 2005)
Current Law
The Extended Benefit (EB) program, established by the Federal-State Extended Unemployment
Compensation Act of 1970 (EUCA), P.L. 91-373 (26 U.S.C. 3304, note), may extend receipt of
unemployment benefits (extended benefits) at the State level if certain economic situations exist
within the State.
Extended benefits (EB) are funded half (50%) by the federal government through its account for
that purpose in the UTF; States fund the other half (500/0) through their State accounts in the UTF.
Individual eligibility for EB payments, among other matters, requires that the worker has
exhausted all rights to regular UC benefits and be within the State-determined benefit year
(generally within 52 weeks of first claiming regular UC eligibility) when a State’s EB program
becomes active on account of economic conditions.
States that do not require a one-week UC waiting period, or have an exception for any reason to
the waiting period, must pay 100% of the first week ofEB (rather than 500/0). P.L. 110-449, the
Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2008, suspended this waiting week requirement
from the time of its enactment until the week ending on or before December 8, 2009.
House Bill·
No provision.
Senate Bill
No provision.
Conference Agreement
The conference agreement would temporarily alter Federal-State funding ratios. Extended
benefits would be 100% federally financed from the date of enactment through January 1, 2010.
The agreement also would temporarily allow States to ignore benefit year calculations but instead
base EB eligibility upon having qualified for and exhausted EUC08 benefits, disregarding benefit
year calculations as long as the EB period fell between the date of enactment and before January
1, 2010.
The agreement would allow States to opt to grandfather those workers who received EVC08
payments and exhausted them on or after January 1, 2010. Those workers would be eligible to
receive EB payments based on EVe08 exhaustion and disregarding benefit year determinations
until the week ending on or before June 1, 2010.”
This is it,this was not in iether the house or senate versions but was added in CONFERENCE,Im not a lawyer but it looks like if your state has “triggered” into an Extended benifit program,the Federal Gov is going to pay %100 to continue the payment of those who have exhausted all of their euc08 extensions.The euc 08 is what we are on now and the one that will start to run out in march for some,so the state just has to change its laws in some cases..ie where it says you must be withen one year of your original claim to continue getting extended benifits.There are also provisions in the bill to give the states financial awards for making these changes,and other changes such as allowing your very last quarter worked to be used in determaning benifits….the way I read it the states are being paid to make these changes and the Feds are going to pay for all the extended benifits to qualified states 100 percent out of the General fund,wich means the money doesnt even come out of this bill….dig it?
So if your really bored,check it out…
http://www.house.gov/billtext/hr1_cr_jesb.pdf
Thanks for the info Rick. I got a bit lost half way through reading it. So how do we know what states are triggered? If i’m reading that correctly i sure hope Michigan will or has changed their laws for us on the EB’s are eligable to keep recieving benefits to help get through this recession.
Maybe someone can sum that up a little bit.I’m sure i won’t be the only person that gets confused while reading that lol
Hey Rick, I am with Steve..I was laid off on Feb 15, 2008 and my final 13 week extension will run out end of March. Are you saying that if California changes their law based on what you read then I would qualify for 13 to 20 more weeks benefits?
Hey guys,check out the link to the PDF chart
http://www.nelp.org/page/-/UI/EBUpdateFeb2009.pdf
It shows Mich as being all set and Cali qualifies but just needs law changes,the bill doesnt actually specify the length of the further ext,just that it is “temporary” and will end by jan 1 2010….I’ll post more here id I find out any concrete details..
From the folks at NELP,fresh off the press..
“While ARRA does not provide additional emergency benefits to
workers who have already received an extension, it ensures that extended benefits go to workers
who have recently been laid off and will run out of regular state benefits later in the year. The ARRA
also ensures that workers exhausting EUC benefits this year will have access to an additional 13-20
weeks of extended benefits under the permanent Extended Benefits (EB) program if they live in a
state that meets certain definitions of high unemployment (10 states already satisfy this
requirement).”
And according to their chart,(http://www.nelp.org/page/-/UI/EBUpdateFeb2009.pdf)
17 other states will qualify if they change state laws to allow for it.Now why a state would not want this done quickly is beyond me,since it will only help the state economy and bolster sales tax revenues,so Im pretty sure they will get it done,so contact your state reps and labor departments to get them ready.
Also send a bone to the folks a NELP,without who’s support this may not have happened.Government funding for this outstanding group was cut off in 1994(why?)
http://www.nelp.org/site/support_nelp/
And also support this website,which is giving us a forum to organize and communicate.
HI,I live in Mich,I have been unemployed since 07 of 07,No fault of mine,I am looking 4 days a week,Anyone know if people like me in MI will be getting the extra? Last week i sent an email to Stabnaw,Asking about it,give me an answer in English but Still no response.Any help will be great. Thanks and Good Luck to all.Or are us long term people screwed?
Thanks to all of you here, those who have asked questions and those who have answered. Many of my concerns were addressed and I look forward to keeping an eye on this bulletin board.
Good luck to each of you.
I just recently exhausted all my benefits and have filed for and extension but, I have not got a response from the State of Michigan. I call the number constantly and never get to talk to anyone. I have set up an account on the unemployment website but, ther isn’t any information on my extension. CAN ANYONE TELL ME WHAT I NEED TO DO?
Go to the mich unemployment web site,Find the employers phone number,call that one,Kinda a backdoor
Anyone else from Missouri who is reading this please contact me at yahoogy@yahoo.com,as I am trying to build a group of us to push for the law change required in this state to give us the 13 more weeks,I have a guy at NELP who is going to work with us…
NELP is coming out with a fact sheet that will outline the EB options in the next few days..
I have been out of work in fl since the end of june of 08. I also alredy received the last extension in dec. And it will run out in april. And the way things are going here it don’t look good. I want to know if people like me are going to receive benefits if needed.
My husband has been out of work since June of 08 and my work has been exceedingly slow. We are comin to the end of tier 1 and heading into tier 2, with no prospect of a job or more hours for me. We are hoping not to be kicked out of our apartment or lose our car (so I can at least get to what hours I do work). These extensions are the only thing keeping many Americans going right now, and some barely that. I just hope that lawmakes with excessively fat pockets remember that fact as they make decisions about OUR lives. And to all those out there in bad situations trying to find work, please don’t give up. Things may get worse before they get better but the WILL get better, they must! Keep your head up and keep looking and pushing through this! It is so difficult for hardworking Americans to see their jobs putsourced to other countries, backed by lawmakers with ‘our best interests in mind’ while we are criticised for being unemployed. It is only a choice if you choose to give up.
I am currently collecting EUC Tier 1 in the state of Pennsylvania. I am eligible to collect Tier 1 until the end of May 2009, which will put me past the original March 2009 deadline for Tier 2 eligibility (which Pennsylvania is currently eligibile for).
With the deadline change in the new economic package H.R.1, will I now be eligible to collect on Tier 2, which will give me assistance until August?
If so, is there any provision for after my benefits end at the end of August 2009?
i was layed off feb08′ , i live in florida they said i’m not eligible for any more extensions, i have about 8 weeks left on my 2nd extension.But there are no jobs here in florida.
Dear, anyone who can help. I am a 24 yr old from illinois who had been with the same company until June of 08. I have been receiving benefits and believe I am on an extension that just kicked in last month. I got a letter saying seven more weeks then potential for three more after that. With the new stimulus am I eligibe for longer and if so how much longer and what do I need to do if I am eligible. I don’t understand anything of the political stuff so anyone that can assist I would greatly appreciate it.
Alison, will you let us know if and when our individual states change their law that will allow those of us that been on unemployment a long time to receive the extension that you and Rick have spoke of? California doesn’t update their site very often and its all but impossible to get thru on the phone. Thank You
I am in California and have used up my Tier 1 and my Tier 2 will run out around end of March or early April. Will California have a Tier 3 and if so when will be go in effect? I call the EDD office today and they have no idea they told my via the phone. Please advise for those of us in California that are unemployed for over a year now. Thank you.
Federal legislation enacted in In July 2008 13 weeks of extended benefits for workers who exhausted their regular UI benefits in California and across the country. I already used that up. New legislation enacted in November 2008 adds up to 7 weeks to the earlier extension, for a total of up to 20 weeks of extended benefits. I also used that up.
The new legislation states that these added benefits are only payable for weeks beginning on or after November 23, 2008.
The new legislation also includes a second extension of up to 13 weeks for high unemployment states, which includes California which I am getting now.
So my question is when my second extension from for high unemployment states, which includes California runs out around end of March or early April will I be able to get another extension again like a third extension? Is there a 3rd Tier since I have used up my regular UI, and my 1st extension which was Tier 1 and my second extension which was Tier 2 and since I am on my to 13 weeks for high unemployment states, which includes California which I am getting now.
Please advise. I called the Unemployment office here in California (EDD) and the lady told me that she has no clue about a 3rd extension or a 3rd Tier. EDD’s website doesn’t say anything.
Thank you for all your time and help.
I have a similar story to others, unemployed since Dec. 07 and trying to pay rent, utilities, food costs, car insurance, etc. while being told “Over Qualified”. Temp jobs often pay less than the benefits, which are low anyway, and in Georgia benefits stop immediately even if you work just one day. Then 3-4 weeks to reapply and hope they restart before I become homeless.
I job hunt every day, email, phone calls, mail, etc. I don’t drive around in person due to the cost of gasoline I can’t spare the money on.
People that claim Mexicans take jobs Americans don’t want are full of it. I live in a town overrun with mostly illegal Mexicans, which never seem to have problems getting work.
Se habla Inglesh Aqui, LEARN IT. But in the real world, being fluent in English is not an asset. I see many local jobs that require you to be fluent in Spanish.
Well, since President Hussein is in office now and makes it clear he will tax us to death to pay for failures of politicians and our economy, I guess the US will turn into a Socialist Mexican country.
Can anyone tell me why we reward Wall Street, Automotive industries, and government agencies with huge bail out money for their failures?
With the money wasted, every single American (300 Million) could have received one million or more dollars per person, recovered well, put the money back into the economy, and get back on their feet.
Last stimulus, full of pork, at $1 Trillion is much more spending on companies to waste it again and does not help the average AMERICAN.
Try getting free services if you are not an illegal alien, especially since many work in the local government run Defacs offices themselves.
Try getting assistance if you are a Single Male without a bunch of kids and a wife. It doesn’t exist.
It’s 2:30am now, yesterday I spent my birthday at home again (as last year) looking for work of any kind. At 51, even with an excellent education and background in Information Technology, I’m not even getting interview calls, let alone work.
Attitude is ALTITUDE!!!!!
We only put others down to elevate ourselves! Read “A NEW EARTH” or something while you wait…
QUESTION & ANSWER
THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY BILL’S NEW “EXTENDED BENEFITS” STATE OPTION-
840,000WORKERS MAY QUALIFY FOR AN EXTRA 13 TO 20WEEKS OF JOBLESS
BENEFITS WHEN THEY RUN OUT OF THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY EXTENSION
http://nelp.3cdn.net/8328aaf325a33fe316_64m6b9thw.pdf
Rick-
is this Nelp info you posted additional benefits on top of the Tier 1 and Tier 2 extension benefits currently available? I’m confused.
“Rick-
is this Nelp info you posted additional benefits on top of the Tier 1 and Tier 2 extension benefits currently available? I’m confused. ”
YES,but depending on your state ,they may need to change their “EB trigger law” from IUR to TUR
What state are you in?
By the way folks,if this EB ext comes thru for you please consider throwing a bone to NELP,they are privatly funded,some how lost their Fed funding in 1994(Clinton years??),and also lobby and email all you can to have their Federal funding restored,All of this good news is in large part to their work.
http://www.nelp.org/site/support_nelp/
I’m very confused! On this blog, it states that workers that have exhausted their unemployment benefits (26 weeks) and have recieved the addtional Extension of unemployment benefits from December 2008 will ALSO receive up to 33 more weeks under the new Stimulus bill. I live in Coloardo and I can’t find anything to confirm this. Can anyone out there poinnt me to the answer? The CO state website does not mention an addtional extension. I have called the state for answers but alas the phone is busy 10 hours per day!
I’m confused too! I keep reading about a 33 week unemployment extension after exhausting the 26 weeks. Does anyone know whats really going on? The news is confliciting.
to comment 230-John Co. doesnt qualify at this time as its TUR is %5.9,it must be %6.5 or higher,it may qualify by next month.
Lisa, For you folks on your first 26 weeks of benefits from your state there is already a 13 weeks extension and then a 7 weeks extension and then another 13 weeks extension if your state’s unemployment rate is over 6%. That makes a total of either 46 or 59 weeks. Many of us that are on that final 13 week extension are now waiting for our states to change their law to allow us to receive additional benefits. This was a measure added to the stimulus bill at the last hour before it was sent to the president to sign and it would apply not only to us that are already near or at that point and also to others like yourself who might reach it later.
I am in Illinois. Does Illinois qualify yet? Where do I go online to find out how and if states qualify? I assume then that the unemployment rate in the state you are in must have a certain percentage of unemployment to qualify for 33 weeks extended unemployment benefits. Is this correct?
Rick–do you think there is any reason why a state if eligible would not enact the legislation you have spoke of? I am in California which easily qualifies. I will donate to NELP. Thank you for all of your input, it has given hope to a lot of people who still can’t find employment.
Lisa,As far as I understand it,your state would [trigger]due to the high unemployment rate,but must pass a law allowing the ext of eb under the 2009 package.Check out the link that rick posted.Buy the way thanks rick whoever you are you have been a very big help.
Please can somoebody help me with my question:
Now, I am really lost on. Please help me. Thanks.
Federal legislation enacted in In July 2008 13 weeks of extended benefits for workers who exhausted their regular UI benefits in California and across the country. I already used that up. New legislation enacted in November 2008 adds up to 7 weeks to the earlier extension, for a total of up to 20 weeks of extended benefits. I also used that up.
The new legislation states that these added benefits are only payable for weeks beginning on or after November 23, 2008.
The new legislation also includes a second extension of up to 13 weeks for high unemployment states, which includes California which I am getting now.
So my question is when my second extension from for high unemployment states, which includes California runs out around end of March or early April will I be able to get another extension again like a third extension? Is there a 3rd Tier since I have used up my regular UI, and my 1st extension which was Tier 1 and my second extension which was Tier 2 and since I am on my to 13 weeks for high unemployment states, which includes California which I am getting now.
Please advise. I called the Unemployment office here in California (EDD) and the lady told me that she has no clue about a 3rd extension or a 3rd Tier. EDD’s website doesn’t say anything.
Thank you for all your time and help.
to # 235 Richard,The only reason a state would not change this simple rule to qualify for free federal ext’s would be PURELY POLITICAL,Cali should have nothing to worry about,red states that have a repub Gov. and want to see President Obama fail,may turn it down,even though it will increase thier state sales tax revenues ect.,they would rather play partisan politics that help out their people….
Miguel, you and I are in the exact same situation. As Rick has stated we are eligible for 20 more weeks if California changes their law to trigger on the EB. Here’s hoping. Good Luck to you.
I live in Southaven, MS but I worked in Memphis, Tn. I was laid off last year and it took over 2 months for my Unemplyment Benefits to kick in. Now that I am back in school they suspended my benefits temp. and I am receiving them again. My Unemployment ends in June and I’m confused about this extension process…any help would be greatly appreciated!
Richard, thank you so much for getting back to me so soon. Again, thanks for your time.
I received 26 weeks of unemployment, then an additional 13 and 7. This will be exhausted mid April, I live in Missouri. If I am understanding this, I could be getting another extension??
Mindy I too am in Mo.,email me,I have a list of statehouse reps and others that you need to help me contact to get this law change in affect…
rick…yahoogy@yahoo.com,I’ll send you my contact list.
Rick and Madison, Thank you for your help! Very much appreciated!
Even though Florida falls into one of the state’s with the highest unemployment rate, I don’t think we have a chance of getting anything further. I just exhausted my first part of second tier benefits 7 + 13 = 20 weeks. I am still unemployed and seeking work and waiting to see if I am extended the additional 13 weeks.
Teresa,you are eligible for 59 weeks-26,13,7 And 13 for a total of 59 weeks. Your state should be giving you the information for the last 13.
Florida is the worst state for any kind of government help. Our max. weekly benefit rate is $275, regardless of the extremely high cost of living, insurance galore – yes the “Sunshine State” alright. The Governor just signed a bill increasing unemployment benefits by $25/week and also mentions contribution towards COBRA benefits – nothing retro (I’ve already spent $6K), but there is no mention of ANY extension of benefits. By reading one of the posts re: Repub. States, I have not hope for Floridians. If you guys think that you are in the dark, here in Florida, we will be the last ones to find out about anything, if anything. IF ANYONE HAS ANY INFORMATION REGARDING FLORIDA, KINDLY POST IT. THANK YOU.
Thanks a lot Richard!!! It’s taken me hours of reading to figure out the additional 13 weeks of 2nd tier benefits. As I previously posted, Florida is behind on everything. The other extension was granted kind of automatic, since I did file an application with The Department. Now, I am out of benefits and just have to sit back and wait to see if the additional benefits will be granted. I just sent an email to the Department, but know that I don’t have a chance of getting a reply. I’ve read that in some instances, filing a new claim will trigger something, but the system is messed up as it is and don’t want to confuse them. Thanks again for your help. I am so glad that I came across this form. We are all becoming experts on unemployment laws. However, no job.
Teresa, if you go back and look at the posts in this blog in the 140’s and 150’s you will see Kim and Tom from Florida going back and forth and you will get more information on your state. How long since you finished the first 13 and then the 7 weeks. It took a little time before the final 13 weeks kicked in in Florida. Hopefully Kim or Tom will see your posts and give you some answers. How long have you been off? The help with Cobra benefits comes from the federal government in the new stimulus package the the president just signed earlier this week. If you were laid off before September 2008 like me(Feb 2008) you don’t get any help. Good Luck to you
Richard:
You are a sweetheart. I will check the posts you mentioned re:
Florida. I just finished my 7/13 last week. I am hoping the additional 13 will kick in soon. As far as Cobra, I am aware that I am not eligible. I was layed off on 3/08 and went through hell to get my initial benefits so I am obviously concerned. Thanks again for all your help.
Hi,
I live in MA, Boston and currently unemployed and recieving unemployment benefits, I was laid off in November 08, does our state qualify for any extensions and what maximum benefits can I get? Thanks
Mary, you qualify for at least 13 weeks and then 7 more weeks and probably more
+++++++++SORRY ALL++++++++++No enlightment from me…..
I’m frustrated, confused & and frankly P!$$’d off……
If anyone could put this (Stimulus Package) into layman terms……I’m sure you would be considered the NEXT SAINT. I have Holy Water-FROM THE VATICAN……(Well, actually it’s Liquor made by the monks…..42%…..YEP…they actually sell it in their gift shops……Nasty stuff….)
Sorry to bore you with my diatribe….but again, I’d love some clear indication as to WHERE WE ALL STAND…..
Hi Kim–nice to hear from you again–thought maybe you had gone and found a job and didn’t have time for the rest of us peons anymore!!
I believe you are in the same boat as myself, Miguel and many thousands more who had been off too long and weren’t qualified as to how the stimulus read when it was passed. Before it was signed a provision was added which would provide 13 to 20 more weeks(20 in your case and mine) as long as our states triggered on something called the TUR. I believe that California will. They are a blue state with a Republican governor(Arnold). He has already said he supports the stimulus and that California will take anything offered, but they still have to change their law like Florida does. I believe that Florida is a red state–right? Hopefully your governor is not one of those who is going to turn down the stimulus offerings. So we are waiting for our legislatures to enact the simple law.
Kim-I have been reading that thing on Arra from NELP again and now I am not so sure that we get anymore benefits again. I have already received the 26 from my state–the 13 week extension and then the 2nd EUC extension provided by the federal government of 7 weeks and I am in a state that got 13 more based on the high unemployment rate for a total of 79 weeks which runs out the first part of April, so maybe I am just as dazed and confused as you are. Maybe Alison will have more to say about this.
I’m confused too, especially about how the states will continue benefits and what triggers them (% unemployment and/or legislations). I’ve spoken to a couple of experts on unemployment who weren’t definitively sure either. However, I have a phone interview tomorrow with a employment attorney, so hopefully we can get some clarification. I’ll post as soon as I get some information.
As i stated before i live in florida ,and i was laid off in feb 08′, and i’m on my 2nd extension now with 7 weeks left.I’m still really confused,are we supposed to get more benefits in florida when these run out, and the only thing we need is for florida to approve them? I sure hope so , cause there still arent any jobs here.And if so how much longer will the 3rd extension be? Thank You for the help
“Weekly benefit Increase” Quetions, for anyone:
1) Does this Stimulus bill increase the weekly Federal EUC benefit amounts, or just the regular State-funded Unemployment benefit amounts?
2) Do current EUC recpients get this increase, or only FUTURE EUC recepients, or both?
3) How much is the weekly increase amount, anyway?
4) WHEN will the increase take effect (i.e. when will it actually SHOW UP on the checks)?
To everyone, I understand how hard it is to understand what this ext in unenployment will offer us.As far as I understand it ,anyone on unenployment regardless If you have exhausted teir 1 and tier 2 of fed ext you will get a ext of ui as long as your state has a law in place for that.This is called EB .some states have already quote {triggered] some have not it depends on the unemployment rate it has to be 6% or higher which may and I stress may give you 13 to 20 more weeks. There is a link to a chart by rick somewhere around 220 and 240 this can help you find out about your state and if it has {triggered]if it has not and the ui rate is above 6% you may need to contact your state reps to change the law ,as for the extra 25.00 i understand that anyone on ui [right now or will be before 12/09]will get the increase.that said it is up to your state to allow it.I live in N.C and our reps already agreed.Hope this helps a little. I like many of you hope this [nightmare] will be over soon.Thanks
whats up every1… i am 22 and living in illinois and stressing out about this situation..i recieved the extensions and havenot seen a check in a month,,, but our TUR is 7.6 …Shouldn’t i be eligible for the last 13 wks??? Do I have to file for it?? AN answer from any1 with correct info will be deeply appreciated>>>
I want everyone to know I got evicted….marshalls came to my house and kicked me out.
I live in new york city. i used up 26 weeks….13 weeks….and i have 2 weeks left…i have a interview today hopefully i get the job.
my question to any of you is what abotu new york? am i going to get another 13 weeks?
I AM BASICALLY renting a room for rent with strangers, I have NEVER felt like this in my life….
++++++++++++++ALLISON++++++++++++
Any insight would be greatly appreciated. Please advise. Also, is there a way that you could send this blog to “THE POWERS THAT BE” so they have some inkling as to what “THE REAL WORLD” is going through…..
+++++++++++++++HEY RICHARD++++++++++
I’m still here……
*********
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I’m still working on getting more clarification, but one expert told me that:
States who wish to qualify for enhanced unemployment benefits must enter into new agreements with the Secretary of Labor.
If that’s the case, benefits would be provided on state level (based on the state unemployment rate and new legislation in some states) for those who are currently collecting extended benefits (while new claimants for extended benefits would be covered under plan enacted in December and now continued).
I’ll update as soon as I have more details.
HI,,, Can anyone PLEASE tell me whats up with Michigan? I have been off since 07 OF 07,I have sent emailes to both senators,But NO REPLY,I have 4 weeks left on the second ext>Im going crazy trying to understand this last one.I have a feeling us old timers are gonna take it you know where!,,LOL..Thank You For Anything You Can Tell Me,Good Luck To All.
Here’s an update on Michigan as of 2/19:
http://www.mlive.com/newsflash/michigan/index.ssf?/base/business-20/1235089775290410.xml&storylist=michigannews
Hi all.. i have read all the posts here and I may have something to add or not.. but i have a question too. I also am on the end of my tier 2 extension.. i’ve had 26 + 13 + 7 and i’ve got 4 or 5 checks left on the final portion 13. This law we are talking about in california.. is this in addition to the full tier 2?
If so we need to start contacting our legislators and the swartzenpecker to get going on this law change. As do u in other states. Additionally we need to hit up our house reps and senators for another federal extension. The 2009 stimulus does nothing for us as far as i can read.. i’ve read all the portions about unemployment. There are 1.5 million of us out there still at the end.. I don’t think they will let us go without anything. I hope…
There is just no work here in california.
Hi everyone, we’rrre baaack. Great to hear from you Kim (aka blog goddess).
Hopefully Allison will help solve the mistery here with her usual outstanding research.
I saw our Uncle Charley (Gov Christ) on Meet the Depressed yesterday, he seemed pretty adament that he was going to have florida swallow the whole thing (the stimulus package). Therefore if this new “extension” is federally funded, I have to conclude that unemployed Floridians will be elegible. I too have read that there may be legislative action required by states that will participate in this program. (the devil will be in the details, if it requires the state to commit to some long term funding, there might be a budget fight)
As usual there is no clear information,(and I am speculating) and I suspect if we read the actual Fed stimulus legislation it would be full of formulas, restrictions and stipulations that would be difficult at best to decipher.
I am applying my expierience from the last extension, it took roughly from election week in November to Christmas day for that program to be rolled out, explained, applied for and check received (~7 weeks). If there is state legisilation involved I would expect it to take longer.
What I did last time is monitor this site (Allison is great at posting news and links to information when they become available). And the general information shared on this blog is usually of high quality.
The Agency for Workforce Innovation here in Florida will issue a press release and post information (although you have to look for it and it will be vague) when they think they want to announce they have the capability to accept applications for checks. (I just did a quick check and see no mention of the recent Stimulus/extension).
If I find out any more I’ll post
Good Luck!
Tom
According to the unemployment expert I spoke to this afternoon, he said what Tom mentioned – there is no definitive information, as of yet.
Each state is going to need to figure out a plan for administering the stimulus funds and what will happen will vary from state to state.
He suggested checking the state unemployment site for your location frequently and calling (if you can get through). He also said there should be news in the relatively near future.
Thanks so much for the updates – they are appreciated and I’ll post more information as I get it.
Thanks Allison-
Looks like our Gov in Fla has already signed with the Dept of Labor (see below). I found the 2 page agreement on line, it mentions the $25 increase, the extended application redemption period, and lets the Dept of Labor audit the State of Fla at will. (Nothing on extending Tier II benefits) :
Federal stimulus money will increase weekly benefits by $25 for remainder of 2009
February 20, 2009 — TALLAHASSEE – Florida Governor Charlie Crist today, continuing his efforts to strengthen the economy and help Floridians affected by the current economic downturn, signed an agreement with the U.S. Department of Labor to increase weekly unemployment benefits by $25 per week, bringing $345 million to Florida during the 2009 calendar year. By signing the agreement today, the increased benefits take effect starting Sunday, February 22, 2009. The Unemployed Workers and Struggling Families Act is a result of federal funds authorized through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009.
“These extra benefits are so important to Floridians affected by the current economic downturn, and on behalf of every affected Floridian, I am grateful to the federal government for making this possible,” said Governor Crist. “As we continue working in Florida to strengthen our economy through policies and initiatives that create and retain new jobs, these additional unemployment benefits will help Floridians through these difficult times.”
+++++++++++++++++TOM++++++++++++++++++
DECODER RING + TIARA………..
Who am I kidding? I just ate the macaroni from my tiara……
I can just imagine what some of the people reading our blogs are thinking……
******-1
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*******NOTE: Negative 1 on the “TIARA”…..
I did find some more info, not sure how conclusive it is. (I would stress that this info is not conclusive because the powers at be are still reading and interepting the bill) The first verbiage (below) is a interpretation of the Stimulus bill that implies the majority of the money targeted for unemployment is for “re-employment” (ie training), the rest of the money is yet to be divied up.
Below I posted 2 links from NELP. The first dated Feb 14 says that those on Tier II EUC will not get any more extensions.
The second link is to a NELP release on Feb 16 that says the stimulus bill relaxed some restrictions on a obsure provision in the unemployment law called extended benefits “EB” and implies that if states meet the eligability requirements, there will be a additoinal 13 weeks of benefits available to us Tier II folks.
FYI
In short, this section of the stimulus means that $400,000,000 will be extended through the states, with $250,000,000 of the stimulus being used for reemployment services that are already offered by most state unemployment agencies. The bill does not discuss how the $400,000,000 will be divided up amongst the states.
http://nelp.3cdn.net/dc5068d946ca4ba59a_wxm6bn1ic.pdf
http://nelp.3cdn.net/8328aaf325a33fe316_64m6b9thw.pdf
Hi Kim-
Ive never seen a -1 Tierra before (i hope it doesnt go more negative), I think ive broke my decoder ring on this one. I just posted some links to NELP (if they find there way to the board) .
One says there is nothing beyond tier II in the Stimulus, (so much for stimulus, I feel nothing) the other says there is a (previously unknown to me) catagory called Extended Benefits (EB) that only triggers under extreme conditions (which we may be approaching ) the Stimulus apparently makes it easier for the states to apply.
I think I’ll sit back and let the burocrats figure this one out (and hope they get it done in a reasonable time)
Stay tuned
Tom–I keep reading the same thing about the EB and the need for the states that are eligible to enact some legislation and I believe if they do it applies to us whose EUC extensions run out soon, but like you I am not sure. No one who answers the phones at California EDD knows anything yet but I suppose we’ll just wait and hope for good news cause there sure aren’t any jobs.
From NELP Feb 16, 09 FYI
Im confused but thats not the first time.
QUESTION & ANSWER
THE ECONOMIC RECOVERY BILL’S NEW “EXTENDED BENEFITS” STATE OPTION-
840,000 WORKERS MAY QUALIFY FOR AN EXTRA 13 TO 20 WEEKS OF JOBLESS
BENEFITS WHEN THEY RUN OUT OF THE FEDERAL EMERGENCY EXTENSION
What follows is a Q&A explaining a new option available under the American Recovery and Reinvestment
Act of 2009 which allows high unemployment states to provide up to 13 to 20 weeks of additional extended
benefits to workers who run out of their federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation. The EUC
program currently provides 20 to 33 weeks of benefits to workers who run out of their state unemployment
benefits. If adopted by all the states with unemployment rates exceeding the 6.5 percent threshold, as
many as 840,000 workers would qualify for additional weeks of 100% federally-funded assistance.
1. What is the Federal Extended Benefits (EB) Program and how does it relate to Emergency
Unemployment Compensation?
The “Extended Benefits” (EB) program is a permanent program, started in 1970, that provides 13-20 weeks
of extended unemployment benefits to states experiencing high levels of unemployment, as defined by
certain “triggers.” Because the EB triggers are so restrictive, states rarely qualify for EB even during serious
recessions. Thus, Congress has frequently stepped in to create temporary federal extended benefits
programs, including the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program enacted in July 2009
(providing 20 to 33 weeks of extended benefits, depending on the state’s unemployment rate).
In states that meet the EB program’s requirements, workers are entitled to both EUC and EB consecutively
and states are allowed to choose in which order they pay out benefits. Because EB costs are typically
shared 50/50 between the states and the federal government, all states have chosen to pay EB after
workers have exhausted EUC. EB acts as an additional benefit for workers who still cannot find work after
receiving the EUC extension. However, EB benefits were not likely to be available to most EUC recipients.
2. How did the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) make it possible for more workers
to collect EB after their EUC benefits run out?
The ARRA (Section 2005) made two key temporary changes to the EB program, allowing more workers to
collect benefits under the EB program after their EUC benefits run out.
First, the ARRA temporarily shifts the costs of the EB program entirely to the federal government for the
remainder of 2009 (and phasing out through June 2010), thus removing the requirement that states pay
50% of EB benefits.i
February 16, 2009
Second, the ARRA suspends a federal eligibility rule that prevents many workers who are now collecting
EUC from receiving EB. To qualify for EB under the old rules, a worker had to have filed for state
unemployment benefits within one year of when the state reached the required level of unemployment to
“trigger” on to the EB program.
Now, as a result of the ARRA, EB is available to anyone who exhausts his or her EUC benefits during an
EB high-unemployment period, not just those workers who applied for state unemployment benefits one
year before the EB period began.ii Without this provision, large numbers of workers now collecting EUC
would not qualify for any weeks of EB because they started collecting state unemployment benefits more
than one year ago. Indeed, most workers in high unemployment states are able to collect 59 weeks of
unemployment benefits, including 26 weeks of state benefits and 33 weeks of EUC, which means they first
filed for state benefits more than one year before they would be eligible to receive EB.
3. What is the necessary unemployment rate required for a state to “trigger on” to EB and what
does the state have to do to adopt the trigger?
To qualify for EB under the 1970 federal law, a state must exceed either of the following unemployment
levels, thus allowing the state to “trigger on” to EB benefits:
• Insured Unemployment Rate Trigger: The insured unemployment rate (IUR) is the number of
workers receiving state unemployment benefits in the past 13 weeks divided by the total number of
employed workers. If a state’s insured unemployment rate exceeds 5.0%, EB benefits trigger on.
Under this requirement, which automatically applies to all states under the EB law, the state’s
insured unemployment rate must also be on the rise. A state can only trigger on to EB if the
current IUR is 20% higher than it was during the same period in both of the prior two years.
• Optional Total Unemployment Rate Trigger: States can also trigger on to EB benefits if the total
unemployment rate (TUR)–the standard unemployment rate published by the Bureau of Labor
Statistics every month–exceeds 6.5% over a three-month period. Like the IUR requirement, the
TUR has to be increasing, but only by 10% over each of the past two years. If the state exceeds
the 6.5% TUR, workers are entitled to an extra 13 weeks of EB. If the state exceeds 8.0%
unemployment, workers are entitled to 20 weeks of EB. In contrast to the IUR trigger, the TUR
trigger only applies to those states that have passed a law adopting the more generous EB option.
Currently, only eleven states have adopted the optional TUR trigger rule to access EB (Table 1).
4. Which states currently qualify for EB benefits and which states could qualify if they changed
their state laws to take advantage of the new ARRA provisions?
Nine states and Puerto Rico currently qualify for EB, either using the IUR formula (Idaho, Michigan,
Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico) or the optional TUR formula (Connecticut, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode
Island, Washington), and another two states—Wisconsin (IUR) and New Jersey (TUR)—are likely trigger
on to EB shortly under current rules. As a result, about 319,000 workers will qualify for EB when their EUC
benefits expire (Table 2).
It is far more difficult for a state to trigger on under the IUR rule than the TUR because the IUR requires a
large percentage of unemployed workers to actually be collecting benefits, which is not the case in many
states. Indeed, another 15 states could now trigger on to EB using the TUR option if they adopt the
required EB law.
As of February 15th, these states include Arizona (qualifying for 13 weeks of EB), California (qualifying for
20 weeks), District of Columbia (20 weeks), Florida (13 weeks), Georgia (13 weeks), Illinois (13 weeks),
Indiana (13 weeks), Indiana (13 weeks), Kentucky (13 weeks), Mississippi (13 weeks), Missouri (13
weeks), Nevada (20 weeks), Ohio (13 weeks), South Carolina (20 weeks), Tennessee (13 weeks) and the
Virgin Islands (13 weeks). If all these states adopted the optional TUR trigger, another 518,000 workers
would qualify for EB after exhausting their EUC benefits, or a total of over 800,000 when combined with
those workers in states that have already adopted the optional EB trigger (Table 2).
5. How can states take advantage of the new EB rules without being required to spend state
dollars?
These states (and others whose unemployment rates exceed 6.5% over the next several months) can
adopt the optional EB trigger without incurring any additional costs for workers beginning EB benefit
periods this year. This will enable workers who will exhaust their EUC to receive 100% federal-funded EB
benefits. If states are especially concerned about the long-term financial impact of the EB trigger, they can
also sunset the legislation in 2010 as 100% EB funding will only be eligible for workers and their families
who exhaust EUC in 2009.
However, it is vital for the states to act quickly to take up the EB option. Large numbers of workers who
qualified for the full 33-week extension of EUC benefits will begin running out of benefits in March and April
2009. By moving expeditiously to pass the required state legislation, states can ensure that these workers
do not reach the end of their emergency unemployment benefits in the depths of an extremely difficult job
market. Attached is model legislation for states to enact the optional EB trigger formula.
6. Where can workers find out whether their state qualifies for EB under the different “trigger”
formulas in order to collect EB after running out of EUC benefits?
On a weekly basis, the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) provides on update of which states have reached
the required unemployment level to trigger on to EB. The most recent notice is summarized in Table 1, and
the weekly DOL notice can be found at http://ows.doleta.gov/unemploy/claims_arch.asp by selecting
extended benefits trigger notice.
Well I guess I am screwed I am in Colorado and can’t find a job. so i guess my life is effectively over some stimulus package forlorn hope is more like it!! Our politicians screwed us again! I am 64 by the time I get Social security I will be on the street and no one will rent to me then. My anger is that the asinine formula was never mentioned!! Now we get the information that means that we are doomed in Colorado.
I began receiving unemployment benefits as of March 7, 2008. Bush granted an extension. In February, I was assured I had till the end of April but that the MESC workers (2 different reps) had to manually input me into the system. Today I called Marvin. I was told I had to re-apply. Ok, I reapplied by phone and was told I have 7 weeks left. Now I am confused. I asked what the new stimulus plan offered me. The rep said we have not been told anything! Does anyone know? I heard unemp would last through the end of December, anohter 20 weeks was being added. I am totally confused! Someone smarter and more informed please comment! Thanks!!
Michael:
Read Richard’s (273) post. Your situation is certainly confusing since I cannot understand why they asked you to re-apply. However, extended benefits depend on whether or not each particular state is “triggered on”. There is nothing that states that extended benefits are going to be extended for 20 additional weeks for all states, if any. They way I understand this is that they cannot guarantee anyone that many weeks of extended benefits all at once. The State waits to see when their trigger occurs and after the trigger date, they extend benefits. If your state triggers after you exhaust your 7 weeks, you may get additional benefits. You just need to keep informed. Hope this helps.
+++++++++++++TOM++++++++++++
Massive headache reading your last post!!!! Too many acronyms……who comes up with this crap??? For heaven’s sake….Does the Gov’t employ spy/encryptors to make this stuff up to confuse the general public??
SO…..WHAT’S THE BOTTOM LINE IN FLORIDA?????
Thanks Alison,,But an can i get it? i have been off since 07/07.Got through to Unemployment today,And she said she dont know!
++++++++++++TOM++++++++++
Sorry if I came across a bit “CRANKY” above. My coffe maker broke and I haven’t had my morning dose of caffeine…….Whaaaa…Whaaaa…..Whaaaaaa
Hi Bob,
Unfortunately, I think she was accurate when she said she didn’t know. There’s a convoluted formula and the states have to reach a certain level of unemployment to be eligible.
The best thing to do is to give them some time to figure it out and keep checking back. I know how hard that is when you’re running out of benefits, but I think the unemployment offices seem to have as many questions as we do.
Hi Kim
Dont get your Tierra bent out of shape (LOL) , (you cant afford to loose anymore macaroni). (Personally I would always prioritize coffee pots over macaroni …..)
Sorry for the difficult to read post (I have posted the link here, hopefully it appears below) .
My Cliff notes version for Florida is, that the orginal 26 weeks of unemployment compensation plus all the extensions and tiers = 59 weeks. When that 59 weeks is exhausted there are no more extended benefits in the Stimulus Package. (only a extended application period to allow more people to apply as time goes on). If you read all the garbolty-gook at the NELP link, it implies that there are Federal extended benefits “EB” that can be triggered based on a algorithm. Florida is elegible for 13 weeks of “EB” IF the legislature takes some action.
Have a look
http://nelp.3cdn.net/8328aaf325a33fe316_64m6b9thw.pdf
Hi Kim-
Dont get your Tierra bent our of shape (LOL)
You cant affort to loose anymore macaroni. (lol) (I would prioritize a coffee pot over macaroni everytime) .
Sorry for the garbled post. I tried to post the link but it wouldnt appear on the board. If you look at the top of the blog, Allison has posted the NELP comments and link to a informative Q&A on the subject.
My take for Florida bottom line, is that once you exhaust the 59 weeks of unemployment benefits (orginal plus all the extensions and tiers) there are no more extensions in the Stimulus Package. However there is reference to Federal extended benetits “EB” which the Stimulus Package made us eligible for based on a algorithm and hopefully pending state legislative action. If this all happens there would be another 13 weeks of “EB” in 2009 (per the NELP link)
If we keep meeting like this people will talk you know……….
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WWWhaaaaa
May need to lose the “TIARA”, after pulling out all my hair….I have nothing for it to sit on……
Have you fixed the “DECODER RING” yet??????
Hopefully with all of the doom/gloom news, maybe some people will get a chuckle from our inventive interaction…..
WE NEED SOME MORE SUPER-HEROES……
++++++++++++TOM++++++++++++
Postscript…….RE: last msg. referring to people will begin to talk……I think Richard is moving in…..
NOTE: You think Alison may kick us off?? We’re pretty entertaining….
Are you kidding, we are the levity team on this board! I think we significantly enhance its readability . (too bad it didnt pay to post witty comments, we could make it a job)
I hope all the folks find it entertaining as well as useful.
I think we should invite Allison and make it a foursome! (lol)
I dont think Allison will boot us (maybe we’ll have to invite her and make it a foursome).
We are the levity team on this board! Too bad it doesnt pay.
I hope the folks find it enteraining as well as useful.
Maybe we could start marketing the “Macaroni Tiara + Decoder Ring???????
Given the complexity of these unemployment regs, the decoder ring will need to be steel reinforced with twin I-beam suspension!
It is easy to understand for those who are unemployed and currently collecting their extended benifits but will be running out soon (March-April) EUR chart determines if their state is going to assist any further! Just keep checking to see when the @ sign is next to state every week.
Two questions please:
1. How the heck do we know if/when CA gets the ‘trigger’ for extra benefits? I’m on my 2nd extension and they expire very soon.
2. Can I attend a police academy by paying my own tuition and still collect unemployment?
I live in Oklahoma. I was layed off May 2, 2008. I started receiving benefits the last week of May 08. I am confused as to how the tiers and extensions work. I exhausted my initial claim in Nov 08. Now my extension will expire in less than 2 weeks. My benefit year ends May 24, 2009. Will I be able to apply for any help between now and then?
Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Hi everyone—I’ve been reading all the comments over the last week.Many are very informative-some are not-but all are entertaining to say the least!I hope the following information is useful for all. I’ve gone through the 26 reg. weeks plus the 13 & 7 weeks of Tier I benefits. Had a little problem with my checks under Tier II. After calling in to certify for my EB,the pre-recorded announcement told me that the 1st 2 weeks were not payable,but they would be credited. Same thing happened when I called in for the 2nd 2 weeks. I decided to pay a visit to my local office today, before calling in for the 3rd 2 weeks of benefits this Thursday. Found out that because my year claim had expired in Jan. ‘09, I had to UPDATE it. The clerk just asked me a few questions,and I had to sign a form so my checks could be released. 6 weeks worth of checks should be in my checking account by this Thursday. By the way, I heard that Monday is the worst day of the week to speak to someone at your local office about your claim. Today(Tues.2/24/09) I waited no more than 20 min. to speak to a clerk,and walked out of the office 10 min. later. PAINLESS!! My advice to everybody is to go to your local office to straighten out any problems,and be aware of the 1 year anniversary date of your claim. Anybody who qualifies for the Tier II EB will certainly go past the 1 year anniversary date of their claim since EB will take you to at least 59 total weeks. Good luck to all,and don’t give up hope! I’ll post again and let you know if the checks hit my account.
I need to make a correction to my original post(292). The 7 weeks after the 13 is actually the 1st part of Tier II EB. I’m sure most of you who have been posting realize this,but I didn’t want to confuse anyone.Again,keep the faith and push on. Can it get much worse? Don’t answer that question! Talk to all of you soon.
If you have unemployment and run out your get the emergency unemployment extentsion but after that runs out what are you suppose to do? I can’t even get a part time job! Is there anything after the extentsion besides welfare?
OMG….OMG….OMG…..OMG……
Just read Today’s DAYTONA BEACH NEWS JOURNAL (2/25/09)…….Front Page:
“Unemployed overloading system”….must read..
On page 2A it states that the additional stimulus of $25.00 will be paid in a SEPARATE CHECK & will take about 8 weeks before you receive the benefits……WOW…..HELP ME OUT HERE………With an overloaded system/understaffed agency……How does this make sense??????? SEPARATE CHECKS???? Maybe they’re trying to keep the Postal Office Afloat…….OMG….OMG…..OMG……..
I think our leaders need a new slogan…..
++++++++++++++THE 7 P’S+++++++++++++++
Proper
Prior
Planning
Prevents
Piss
Poor
Performance
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I read the article in the News Journal this morning. Wow, they must hope the majority of recipients have direct deposit.
Think about it from a bureaucratic perspective, 2 buckets of money (extension and stimulus) therefore 2 checks . (sure)
I heard a item in the news the other day (conceptual at this point) that since the banks have seen a major increase in direct deposit of unemployment checks, that they are considering charging a fee for receiving your weekly benefit deposit. [Hopefully they are not that stupid]
Maybe Kim and Tom should post some of their useless comments on another website ,and stick to the issues at hand. The majority of us use this site to gather and share information about unemployment. If we want to be entertained,I’m sure there’s a much better way ,than to follow the adventures of Kim and Tom.GET REAL!!
Hello to all. I live in Kansas and like all of you I am out of work to, I have used up my state benefits of 26 weeks and then the 13 and 7 week extensions. So I am at the end of my rope.
However when I called the unemployment center and asked them about a 3rd extension they told me that right now nothing had been instructed to them by the federal gov’t on this BUT they wanted me to keep filing my weekly claim.
So maybe they know something I don’t..who knows? Maybe something will happen, I have even emailed my senators and congress members and the white house!
I don’t think the Gov’t realizes how bad the unemployment situation really is and people like myself and thousands of others have used their 2 extensions up already and we still need help.
I almost landed a job with Merck Pharmacuticals and then the night before I was supposed to start work the company called me and said they had a hiring freeze due to cutbacks. The next day it was all over the local news, they laid off 7,000 people.
All I can tell you if you are trying for a 3rd extension like me is to try and keep positive and hope for the best but prepare for the worst. I know a lot of you need a 3rd just like me and I hope things work out for you.
This is the first time in my life that something like this has happened to me and I hope it’s the last. I don’t have any type of support system like family or friends to help me out either and thats scary!
Some nights its hard to get sleep due to the stress of thinking I may be homeless one day. It keeps me up at night for sure.
My email is autec85042@yahoo.com if you ever want to share info that may be helpful to my post. Good luck and god bless us all, we need it.
This is getting really ridiculous here is Calif. Literally impossible to get through to EDD and when you do, they know nothing about the EB benefits, TUR, triggers, etc. I will receive my last check from my second extension, in two day, and cannot find info anywhere has to when EB benefits will be triggered. Anybody know? Thanks.
Linda–I got through to EDD yesterday after dialing about a zillion times. I didn’t expect the person answering to know anything about the EB or the TUR and they didn’t. They probably won’t or can’t tell us anything until the legislature enacts the law which will trigger the EB of 20 more weeks for California. Hopefully they will pass it. I know that the Governator said they will take everything that the FED has to offer. How may weeks have you had? In California we are eligible for 26, 13, 7 and then 13 more for 59 weeks. The last 13 came to me automatically after the 7 weeks was finished. Two days after I received the check for the 7th week I received my claim form for the final 13. I sent Arnold an email yesterday pleading our case. Others should do the same. Good Luck to you.
Thanks for the response. I have tried to find what legislation Calif has to pass to trigger this EB. There are many bills pending in the State Legislature and I have not been able to figure out which bill will trigger this EB. Continuing to try and get through to EDD today. Thats a job in itself. If you find anything new, please post on here and I will do the same.
Ok folks, here’s the scoop:
According to the Oregon State website there is a Tier 1 EUC (20 weeks), a Tier 2 EUC (13 weeks if your state has three consecutive months of 6.5% unemployment), and then an Extended Benefits program (EB):
http://www.oregon.gov/EMPLOY/UI/extensions_overview_12-16-08.shtml
So you might want to go to this website to try to get your bearings on where you might stand in your state with your personal circumstances, since the laws are usually similar.
So “officially” there is an EUC Tier 1, EUC Tier 2, and then a third program for those that exhaust their EUC known as EB (or extended benefits).
This should at least clarify the confusion as to whether or not the EUC Tier 2 and the EB are the same. According to the Oregon State Website they ARE NOT the same, but instead are two different programs.
I hope this helps someone figure out things.
So that means that “IF” your state legislation allows for the enacting of the EB Law you should be eligible for EB (which I think is like another 13 weeks, but I am not clear on that so don’t count on it) AFTER exhausting your EUC benefits.
That means the maximum amount of benefits is:
26 Weeks State Benefits (or regular benefits)
20 Weeks EUC Tier 1
13 Weeks EUC Tier 2 (if your state unemployment rate meets or exceeds 6.5% for three consecutive months)
13 Weeks EB (or more if your State Law allows for this trigger)
That’s a maximum of 72 weeks (or more – depends on what the official EB weeks are) from your first unemployment check till the ehaustion of your benefits.
Does anyone know what the circumstances are in Oklahoma? I got 20 weeks worth of benefits then filed for an extension and got 15 weeks that end this week. I don’t think we get any more extensions. This doesn’t sound right at all. Is it true that the Stimulus plan is only going to help certain states with unemployment issues but we all have to help pay it back? UGH
Hi Everyone– Just wanted to update you on my situation. The 6 weeks of unemployment benefit checks that were delayed hit my checking account today. FINALLY! It’s amazing what can be accomplished by talking to somebody in person rather than over the phone (if you can get through). As I said before, be aware of the date of your ORIGINAL CLAIM. It may have to be UPDATED before you receive any checks AFTER the 46 (20+13+7). GOOD LUCK TO ALL!!!
Here’s an article just published in the San Fransisco Chronicle that talks a bit about this “law that California must pass” in order to extend benefits beyond the current 59-week maximum (to 79 weeks):
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/02/25/BU47164VC9.DTL&type=business
I hope this happens for all those who are still struggling to find work. I’m one of those people, but my last 13 weeks hasn’t even kicked in yet (one more month), so I still have a little time to try to find a job…but obviously, it would be nice to know that in the meantime, they passed legislation to allow an ADDITIONAL 20 weeks, just in case my last 13 weeks runs out in a few months and I STILL am looking for work…hope you find this article encouraging. Let’s all keep our fingers crossed!
Correction to previous comment—46(26+13+7)
Lori-thanks for that article. At least I now know that California is considering the law to enact the EB.
I think we all seem to concur Calif needs to enact some kind of legislation to trigger EB. Called my assembly persons office this morning and they had no clue what I was talking about and they referred me to a State budget office who didnt know a thing either. So, if anyone has any ideas who else I can call, please advise.
I personally apologize if the content of POST#298 has offended anyone on this page…..
However, I believe the interaction bewteen myself/Tom/Richard/Alison/Joanne has contributed (AKA: Collaborative effort) to breaking-down some of the confusion regarding the on-going unemployment changes……
THAT SAID…….DENNIS IN SOUTH JERSEY: Piss Off…….
By the way, what’s wrong with the rest of NEW JERSEY……WHAT’s up with the South Jersey designation?
Also…..if you want to be a critic…TAKE A LOOK AT YOUR LAST POSTS….
OOOOPS….No WHITE OUT……
WOW! Another inciteful comment from our Kim in Florida. Can’t wait for your next post. Should be full of lots of useful info for all of us. Maybe you can tell us what book you’re reading now, or better yet, what recipe you’re trying to read. Then again,we wouldn’t want to give you a HEADACHE because you’re BAFFLED & BEWILDERED! As far as the S. Jersey designation — anyone reading these posts from my area will relate. Anybody else,including you Kim, it’s really not important,right?
Well we need to all sound off clearly on the same day and send emails to all of congress and the local state offices.
1st we need to be retrained not everyone can pick up a shovel! During retraining we should recieve our unemployment benefits, Second I’m on my last teir in Michigan.
I live in Port Huron the NAFTA free trade border crossing is here. We have much lower wages than anywhere else in Michigan, average wage is 8-10 dollars a hour. Yet we still lost so many jobs. 1200 went to Canada last year with the closing of Bluewater Molding. Our congress woman Candice Miller didn’t leave her office to come here to get elected! We have nearly 20 percent unemployment. Downtown Port Huron is a Real Ghost Town! Thank God that the Candians Flock across the border and shop in the Mall!
We need a real plan and real change! I don’t want to collect benefits, I want a job! I use to make 600 a week working 60-70 hours a week. Now I make 195 a week! It sucks… I lost alot and see no end in sight! We need Change!
Who can afford to Pay for they medical benefits! I can’t! We need a system that retrain us, because I am 44 and its difficult! Many are older and everyone is scared! Washington is so out of touch and Michigan it is almost impossible to talk to a real person, Marvin is now becoming more difficult to reach as well!
So I say we set a date and sound off and have people send mass emails across the internet and send emails to the Media, the Congress and the Whitehouse!
Today the 600,000 new jobless numbers were barely mention in the media! We must not be forgotten! Our congress can send 400 million to rebuild Gaza! Its time to take care of Americans! And we need a true unemployment number! Not this fake system that is in place currently!
Lets Organize Ourselves! Pick a Date!
Hey Dennis…..
I wasn’t going to respond to your last post but I thought you may need to know a few things before you attack anyone else on this site or any other…….
1. My banter is just banter (with hopefully some decent information)….you don’t have to read it…
2. I lost my job & health insurance in 2007.
3. I’ve been recently diagnosed with the big “C”….just came home from my latest treatment of the death juice…
Again…no insurance……
So, If I have some interaction with people on this site and, regardless, how frivolous you may think it is…..I have no apologies…..
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Jon,i live in Ypsi,I feel you,Unemployment knows nothing about any extra benifits.I look 4 says a week for work,A lot of the people see me comming and laff.Telling me when a job opens they will call.Only so many places around here to apply for work.I have already sent e mails to everyone i can think of,weeks ago,NEVER GOT ONE ANSWER!I hate to think of how bad things are gonna be in a year in Mich.And Kim,dont worry about a sour puss in NJ.I liked it,LOL
My husband has been unemployed since Dec 07. His UNEMP benes ran out last week. We paid his COBRA out of that money. His COBRA runs out tomorrow. He is a cancer survivor with extenuating health problems from the treatments and surgeries.
We walked away from our house two weeks ago and are now settling into a rental that my salary barely covers rent on.
We tried so hard to maintain. Somehow we survived financial crisis during his chemo and recovery periods. We managed to limp along for four years. And now… we have nothing left to show for it. He has applied for job after job. He has a severe and inoperable hernia from complications of his surgery. Who will hire him? Nobody. Even when he doesn’t tell them his story.
I am devastated. I wonder how long we can hold out here in this rental before we end up out on the streets with our dog and cats.
We didn’t get to have children and now I consider it a blessing because… oh my god, what would we do to take care of them while we can barely manage to take care of ourselves?
NO HOME
NO MORE MEDICAL COVERAGE
NO MORE INCOME
We were happy just to have a little health. What happens if that changes?
Come on California. Change the law to include the EB. It is the least we all deserve.
I am scared still.
Kim, when I first found this site a few weeks ago, it was your posts that gave me hope that I still had another extension coming and it did come. Just waiting on the EB now and that gets me to September when I turn 62 and can start getting pensions and social security. I managed to pay my Cobra for 8 months from my 401K but not anymore. So you keep going with the informative and also funny posts. I enjoy them. We will pray for you.
THANK YOU & Best Wishes to all…..Smooches to Richard in CA…
YOU TOO DENNIS!
Kim,
I don’t have any serious issue with your posts. I would, however, like to ask you to please consider the following:
Could you plz STOP putting that grouping of “emoticons (or whatever it’s called)” at the end of your posts. THAT’s the stuff that get’s to be very annoying, in all honesty.
I’m not trying to sound mean or anything; it’s not at all like that. I certaintly don’t mean to berate you. No offense. Just plz consider my request, if you would.
Lastly & most importantly, while I don’t know you, Kim– I’d like to extend my sincerest get-well wishes to you.
May God bless you and keep you.
Will Do…
Here is the latestfrom Michigan UIA.
This goes to you Bob and others in Michigan.
FEBRUARY 13, 2009
Michigan now meets the EB trigger level
During the week of January 10, 2009, Michigan’s IUR surpassed 5.0 % and was 42%
higher than same period for the prior two years. The week ending January 31, 2009, was
the first week for which EB was payable.
– Some unemployed workers in Michigan may be eligible for up to 13 additional weeks of unemployment benefits after they have exhausted their state unemployment insurance benefits and their two existing federal extensions.
“Michigan is now eligible to pay extended benefits through the federal-state Extended Benefits program,” said Stephen Geskey, director of Michigan’s Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA). “Citizens who established a claim for state unemployment benefits on or after February 3, 2008, may qualify for the new Extended Benefits program once they exhaust their federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC).”
To qualify for Extended Benefits (EB), Geskey said that eligible workers must:
*Be unemployed or underemployed
*Have an unemployment benefit year that ends on or after January 31, 2009. A benefit year is a 52-week period starting from the week in which a worker applies for state unemployment benefits;
*Have exhausted all of their state and federal unemployment benefits and federal extensions (EUC) and cannot establish a new claim; and
*Perform a work search and list the employers contacted each week. As evidence of their work search, workers will have to supply the names of employers they have contacted over the prior two weeks, as well as the name of the individual they contacted at each business, their method of contact, type of work they sought, and the results of their contact.
The EB program pays unemployed workers half of what they received in state unemployment benefits up to 13 weeks. The weekly benefit amount is the same as what the individual received in state benefits.
The EB program starts when a state’s insured unemployment rate (IUR) climbs above 5.0 percent and is 20 percent higher than in the previous two years. Michigan’s IUR surpassed 5.0 percent for the week of January 10 and was 42 percent higher than the average for the same period for the last two years. The week ending January 31 was the first week for which EB was payable. Once EB triggers on, it remains in effect for at least 13 weeks.
UIA mailed letters to approximately 250 unemployed workers in the state that it identified as being potentially eligible for EB at this time. Going forward, unemployed workers will automatically receive notices to file for EB when they are about to exhaust their final EUC benefit payments. The notice will tell them how to apply for EB.
Extended Benefit costs are shared 50/50 by the federal government and the state for most employers. The state’s share comes from the UI trust fund and is then charged on a prorated basis back to the employer(s). Governmental employers are charged 100 percent for EB.
In Michigan, the state unemployment insurance program provides up to 26 weeks of benefits, the first federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program provides up to 20 weeks of benefits, the second part of EUC grants up to 13 additional weeks and EB will now provide up to 13 more weeks of benefits to qualified unemployed workers.
Governor Granholm welcomed the added federal unemployment benefits and said they will be a great help to the many Michigan workers and their families who are trying to cope economically during this difficult period in Michigan and our nation.
Its a very sad experience that many people are suffering at the moment! Under the Obama plan because I was laid off in 2007 in one of the first waves I am not entitle to Cobra! I also wasn’t entitle to Medical from the State because michigan currently has a freeze on it! I believe everyone is entitle to Health Care in America!
We must also remember that we did not cause this crisis. Our government allowed our jobs to go overseas and allowed cheap imports. Wall Street and the Banks were some of the root causes. We must stick together as a political force. Reguardless of which party you may vote for, enough blame is to go around to all of these clowns that we have elected!
Here is a thought t ponder on today! Can George Bush collect unemployment now? He did lose his job and it wasn’t his fault! Just imagine George appling for unemployment!
Any word on the California’s EB (TUR) trigger level yet? Are they/state going to pass it ? Has the legislation passed it yet and if so when would it go into effect?
My second extension is about to run out end of March or early April. Please advise for those of us in California. From my understand if California passes it we would get 20 more weeks or unemployment insurance.
Does anybody know what it would take to qualify for Extended Benefits (EB)or is it called TUR “20 weeks” here in California ?
Again, thanks for everbody’s help.
Miguel, the only thing I know is that we are qualified for 20 more weeks and I read that the state legislature is studying the law. California’s TUR or their unemployment easily exceeds the qualifying mark. I also read that Arnold said that California would take any thing the federal government had to offer so hopefully that means they will pass it soon before our EUC benefits are up
Richard- Thanks for your help and quick responds.
I did some research. It is becoming harder and harder t find current unemployment figures by state! Even the Labor Department is hiding the current list! Next Release: March 6, 2009 The Employment Situation for February 2009 is scheduled to be released on March 6, 2009, at 8:30 A.M. Eastern Time. I believe these are imaginary numbers anyway. If you are getting Extensions or EB, you are out of the loop and don’t count in the numbers.
Extended Benefits are available to workers who have exhausted regular unemployment insurance benefits during periods of high unemployment. The basic Extended Benefits program provides up to 13 additional weeks of benefits when a State is experiencing high unemployment. Some States have also enacted a voluntary program to pay up to 7 additional weeks (20 weeks maximum) of Extended Benefits during periods of extremely high unemployment.
Michigan’s unemployment rate, already the highest in the nation, rose one percentage point to 10.6%.
Michigan was one of two states to hit the 10% mark, along with Rhode Island. Recently California also just passed 10 percent for a third place finish. But Michigan has been in this Great Recession the longest!
As of February 25th, these states include Arizona (qualifying for 13 weeks of EB), California (qualifying for
20 weeks), District of Columbia (20 weeks), Florida (13 weeks), Georgia (13 weeks), Illinois (13 weeks),
Indiana (13 weeks), Indiana (13 weeks), Kentucky (13 weeks),Michigan (13 weeks), Mississippi (13 weeks), Missouri (13
weeks), Nevada (20 weeks), Ohio (13 weeks), South Carolina (20 weeks), Tennessee (13 weeks) and the
Virgin Islands (13 weeks). If all these states adopted the optional TUR trigger, another 518,000 workers
would qualify for EB after exhausting their EUC benefits, or a total of over 800,000 when combined with
those workers in states that have already adopted the optional EB trigger
FEDERAL-STATE EXTENDED UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION ACT OF 1970 or (EB)
So after you exhausted both your regular & (EUC) you may quality for (EB) depending on your states status.
So to wrap this up. Its 1.regular, 2.(EUC), then 3.(EB) again if your state
So whats happening is the following in my words.
Timeline
1.Your laid off
2.You receive your first 26 weeks of benefits
3. Under new law (2/17/09) if your state has a 6% or more unemployment rate & if you exhaust your regular benefits before the new date of 12/31/2009,you will be eligible for 33 weeks (2 teir= 20+13 weeks) of (EUC) Emergency Unemployment Compensation plus as long as your state is over the required 6%.
4. Also with the ARRA the government is basically reactivating an old law.
10 states already satisfy this requirement
http://workforcesecurity.doleta.gov/…aw_for_web.pdf
So Rhode Island isn’t on the list yet but should be! Michigan and Rhode Island has been in this recession the longest, In Michigan we only get 13 weeks so we must start pounding on the Governor Door and the Republican Legistration! Those damn Republicans are at it again! So I will post info to contact the Gov and Leg tomorrow!
I hope you find this infomation helpful! I also wish those folks in California update they EDD unemployment page, very unhelpful. I don’t like to report anything unless I have two sources. But I found two decent sources that say 20 weeks for California!I was surprise considering that the Feds pay 13 weeks and California pays 7 weeks! Get on your state if it only pays 13!
Everyone have a decent night and I will pray everyone remain safe and warm tonight!
Jon Wanner
streetboyzinc@yahoo.com
Hi Kim-
I think your posts (and your Tiara) are very appropriate for this site.
Sorry to hear about your situation. All my best wishes to you on your recovery.
Tom
Kathleen Pender of the San Fran Chronicle is on this story…I posted the link to her story earlier (post #307), and have also been in touch with her, asking her to PLEASE continue to keep us informed, as she seems to be the only one out there reporting on the status of this situation for the unemployed in CA. FYI, her email is kpender@sfchronicle.com…and keep checking for her stories online, as hopefully she will keep us informed as she gets more info…
Thank you for the post and I did email Kathleen Pender. It is very frustrating not being able to get any info from the State.
Tell me about it! You would think that the Labor sites would be updated daily or weekly. I guess not! Its also confusing and we need a national system that is the same. I believe that is what Obama is trying to do.
I also read a question recently, You can collect unemployment from Michigan and move to Florida. It falls under interstate. With many people losing homes and apartments and moving in with families we need to get that information out here! The sad part in past recessions we could move from Michigan to Dallas or Tampa. But this isn’t a normal recession, no place in the United States is untouched at the moment.
But we must stand together as a force, without that this administration and the Republicans will play down our situration. We know that the true unemployment numbers are much much higher. The government numbers don’t make sense.
I am over 40, still very young at heart and can out work most younger people. I write a blog elsewhere and very computer knowledge for my age group. But I worked for some major brands in my past Coca-Cola, Eagle Snacks, Keebler and several newspapers. Yet to be honest I am afraid to go back to school at my age. But I know that I am not alone out here.
We all are together, and we need to support each other. I very lucky my place of resident isn’t threaten as some on here. But I am afraid too! I’m single now and government doesn’t offer single people much help, like those with children.
Well I will add some more stuff later, Remember we are all together in this sinking boat! Many Canadians are in bad shape too, let us not forget. Not to mention how rough those people down in Mexico have had it trying to live. Many Americans are now feeling the pain.
Well I Wish Everyone a Safe Weekend!Catch You Later….
Jon Wanner
streetboyzinc@yahoo.com
I’m kinda confused and worried. I’m 28 and I started unemployment in Nevada in April of 08 for the first time in my life. I’ve exhausted the original regular benifits and qualified for emergency unemployment compenstation. I’ve exhausted EUC and qualified for the Tier2 extended benefits. These benifits will be exhausted in 3 weeks with one payment that will not even be a full week payment. It’s confusing on all the official sites. I’m not sure if the Extended Benefits that I will be exhausting in March if I don’t find work will be extended further. I believe our unemployment rate in Nevada is currently 9.1%. But again, the sites are confusing. I’m confident with another extension I will be able to be back working before it’s exhausted. There are rumors of new places opening and new jobs in my type of work. Basically what I’m asking is if the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act extends my already extended benefits because I’m in this state. Please, I hope someone knows the answer and has a link that will explain it in plain English. And if so, will they be extended as soon as my current balance is exhausted. The Teir2 extension was about 2 to 3 weeks late in my state but I was backdated with my first payment after it was extended. I think I read somewhere that the state has to act quickly for unemployed workers to be eligible for 100% federally funded extended benefits under President Obama’s plan. So, any second extended benefits?
Okay, I read post 303 and went to the Oregon unemployment website. According to that website, they have extended benefits after TierII is exhausted. EB and HEB. Check out post 303 and the link there. You would think that a state website like that wouldn’t be wrong. And if Oregon has extensions, then maybe other states can and will qualify as well. This is the most detailed unemployment state website I’ve seen, althought still kinda confusing, and I’ve been to a lot. Check it out for a little peace of mind. But still, any further info would be much appreciated. Post 304 lays it out pretty well too, although several later posts refute posts 303 and 304, and I guess the Oregon site as well. Why is it so difficult to get straight forward info on this?
Okay…another post and I apoligize but I’m researching everything available as of now and I believe I have the answer. Okay, I’m gonna lay it out and hope it helps and hope I’m correct but it makes perfect sense now. Correct me if you believe me to be wrong because I don’t wanna provide incorrect info. I just had to post this once I believed I figured it out.
The EUC and TierII claims we’ve all been receiving up to this point are provided under an act passed in 2008. EB is something that’s been around since 1970 and is terribly difficult for states to qualify for and to receive expeditiously. Because of the difficulty for this EB thing, Bush and congress enacted the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act of 2008(H.R. 4934) and the Emergency Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 2008(H.R. 5749). Thanks to them. It is to my understanding that nobody has yet to have received any Federal Extended Benefits provided by the EB program. TierII is part of EUC and supposedly completely different from EB, which hasn’t been accessed by anyone yet…as far as I know. That’s awesome. Now, that’s how I understand what I’ve read and makes absolute sense. All these emergency and extended benefits we’ve already received are benefits provided to us because of the Act passed in 2008. We haven’t even touched the 1970 provided benefits. I’m not even sure if anyone ever has. No telling when your state will “trigger” these benefits. I believe if your state qualified for EUC and TierII, it will or already has qualified for EB. Plus, recent changes have been made so more workers are eligible for EB after EUC runs out. Remember EUC and TierII are basically the same thing, except in a state with a lower unemployment rate, TierII wasn’t even an option. But, after the recent changes, EB is available to more people now. Thank goodness. Although many states must change things in order to take advantage of the recent changes, any state that doesn’t would only be losing out on benefits for workers and the state. It would only make sense for these states to do something. If not, the number of homeless will match the number of unemployed. Plus, people need money to buy things. People lose their jobs, they have no money to buy things. No money to buy things, more jobs will be lost. It’s only gonna get worse before it gets better. Hopefully I’ve figured it out correctly. Why can’t other sites spell it out like this? But again, if you believe me to be wrong, and I would totally sound like a complete moron if I am, let me know. I would advise to not call anyone. Just wait for confirmation in the mail or on your state’s websites. I bet it’ll come later than sooner. Hopefully everyone’s been good with their benefits as of now and have money saved up while other things are happening. I don’t believe our country is going to let us all die in the cold and hungry streets. That would benefit absolutely nobody.
Okay, hope this helps. And let me know what you think.
BludBubbles@gmail.com
To Jack in Nevada-
I think you are basically correct. If you go to the top of this page and click on the NELP link that Allison posted (dated Feb 22) and work your way to the weekly trigger notice you can see the status of each state as to which classes of “EB” are triggered. For example if you look at Nevada, as of Mar 1 it has a # sign in the far left column which denotes: # – State “ON” by 13-week IUR
ok so i live in illinois and my benefit year runs out in april i have draw my extensions out will i receive another or am i just screwed these bills and other sites are ridicoulous i wish they would put it in 2 year old words lol
To: Tom in Fla
Yeah, thanks for posting quickly. I’ve been to that and so it basically means we qualify for the EB. But, it’s still confusing to me and probably to Tim here. Still unsure as to when it will kick in and what requirements are. Like I saw in one post that they have to send or bring in a record of their jobsearch history for the past two weeks before they applied for the EB. And still nothing on Nevada website as to anything about EB. Even their EUC explanation stinks. I’ll just let it run out and hope to receive a letter soon. If not, then I’ll call and see if anyone knows anything. I called when they were taking so long on the TierII and the persons I spoke with had no clue. Like a week later I got the letter about TierII. So I’m not really worried about it anymore because I believe I will be recieving it eventually if I need it.
To: Tim
I’m not sure about Illinois. I’ll leave it up to you to check out what Tom in Fla was talking about. Go to that link and click the trigger option there. Read the key at the bottom. They use a lot of abbreviations that are still confusing but if you see your state with a symbol that it’s been triggered, then more than likely you will qualify. Different states will have different requirements though, as I stated above. But do keep in mind, almost positive on this, that even if you exhaust your existing extensions, there is the EB that is available with at least 13 more weeks. But your state has to meet the requirements. I’ll check it out just to be helpful but I have a few things to do. Shouldn’t take me long. It’s Sunday so I’ll be refreshing this page often since people post often, so I can see who’s saying or asking what. Now is the time to hit the bricks and get that job if at all possible. No telling what will happen after EB.
By the way, I’ve lived in both Florida and Illinois. Tampa and Panama in FLA and Great Lakes in IL
Small world huh?
There’s more to follow. Check back. Glad I found this kinda sorta blog thing although it’s just comments. The most helpful by far.
You receive your first up to 26 weeks of benefits/
When Those end Under new law (2/17/09) if your state has a 6% or more unemployment rate & if you exhaust your regular benefits before the new date of 12/31/2009,you will be eligible for 33 weeks (1 and 2 teir= 20+13 weeks) of (EUC) Emergency.
Then when those end Extended Benefits are available to workers who have exhausted regular unemployment insurance benefits during periods of high unemployment. The basic Extended Benefits program provides up to 13 additional weeks of benefits when a State is experiencing high unemployment. Some States have also enacted a voluntary program to pay up to 7 additional weeks (20 weeks maximum) of Extended Benefits during periods of extremely high unemployment. But all states haven’t currently signed onto the new rules and you need to check your state to get EB benefits. Some Republican Governors are against the new rules like LA Jindal. The next question if LA, doesn’t approve them will the EUC be extended after the March 2009 expiration date! From what I understand its all of nothing for the states to except this money.
This entire system is Bizare and Crazy!
Tampa is my hometown Jack! Do we have jobs anywhere in America, I can’t find anywhere that haven’t been effective?
Yeah, kind of a twisted system. But at least it’s there and hopefully everyone who can, will take advantage. I’m not sure if a state doesn’t pass legislation to recieve the 100% federally funded EB, whether or not that state still is entitled to the extended time frame for EUC if you’ve just recently filed for unemployment. States didn’t really have to do much for you to be eligible to receive EUC so I’m thinking that the time extension is for everyone, no matter what. This stuff is so confusing, it’s like the tax code. And why all these goofy requirements? Shouldn’t it be if a state needs it give it to ‘em? I’m thinking the only reason certain states have to do something is because EB is typically shared fifty/fifty state/federal. Now it’s gonna be all federal and for some reason states don’t have some sort of law allowing them to accept this kinda charity. I don’t know. Again, it’s all too confusing. I’m looking stuff up as it becomes available. Plus, again, I’m done worrying about it. If it comes, it comes. Just finally knowing that it is there makes me feel warm and toasty inside. I just hope I’m able to find a job. There’s only so many places to look. Luckily I live in a huge city so I can continue to write down my worksearch history. A lot of my worksearch is only verbal inquiry. “Are you hiring?” “No.” “Can I put your name down on my list that I’ve been looking for a job?” “Yes.” I feel for the people living is small towns. Some of my family is. Either they have to drive a long ways in all directions and waste money on gas, or they’re going to the same exact places constantly. Not sure where there are any jobs. If unemployment is rising, and state’s are really busy, hire me at the unemployment office. I know I qualify. And I would do my research so I don’t sound like a fool when someone calls me. I hope it works out for ya. Just keep on keepin’ on. Watch your local news, the mailbox, and your state’s website. If I find out anything new, I’ll post it. Any further questions, or just want to vent frustration, you post as well.
JackInNevada,
Here’s why (from what I understand) most States MUST change/suspend their current State laws, BEFORE long-term unemployed folks could qualify for Emergency Benefits (EB):
Note: This EB money would kick in AFTER all EUC benefits (Tier 1 and Tier 2) have been used up.
————————–
1) In order to qualify for EB, most State laws require that one became unemployed WITHIN the last 12 months (i.e. A 1-year “window”)…
Note: Nearly 40 States have such a law! Click on this link, to see the list:
http://ows.doleta.gov/unemploy/trigger/2009/trig_030109.html
2) Most unemployed folks who are rcv’g the Emergency Unemp Comp (EUC-Tier2) became unemployed MORE than 12 months ago (i.e. “long-term”).
3) Those long-term unemployed folks would, therefore, NOT QUALIFY to receive EB money.
4) Old FEDERAL EB laws also required a “12-month” window, AND would split the EB costs 50/50 with the States.
5) NOTE: most States can NOT afford to pay 50% of this EB costs.
——————————–
Here is the Kicker:
6) This 2009 Stimulus packaged WAIVED the Federal “12-month” rqmt AND will pay 100% of the EB costs!
7) So, the States will NOT have to pay for 50% of the EB costs…..
BUT…
————————
BOTTOM LINE: If these respective States do NOT suspend/change their State Law, then those long-term unemployed folks (currently receiving EUC-Tier 2 money) will NOT get the EB money that the 2009 Stimulus package approved!!
URGENT: Call and/or write your State Representatives to get them to Suspend or change their State law (if applicable)…..
To: Ed
Because of the position I had and the money I made, I never got the full 26 weeks initial UI benefits. It was somewhere around 19 weeks. And the same with EUC. I never received the full amount of weeks. I started receiving unemployment around April 20 2008. I will exhaust all payments around March 15 of this year. So, you’re saying that I should be eligible to recieve the EB because I will exhaust all benefits before I have been on unemployment for a full year. I have filed today and only have 2 more payments remaining after today and one will not even be a full payment. I will have exhausted all benefits about a month before the 12 month deadline. Man, if you could tell me that I’m right, I would be so happy. If so, as soon as I receive my last payment, I will be calling constantly to get what is due to me. Come on back ASAP please.
JackinNevada-
Where did you read about the requirements for EB as far as job search history? Just in case it kicks in, I want to be sure to have the right information available and ready to file. Thanks!
Thanks Jon,Im still confused,but i called for my last check today,hopefully i can get the last one,its been a long time since ive worked,07 of o7,damn i wanna work,im 52 not ready to be homeless,thanks again,if i get it ill let you know,good luck all,hang in there!
JackInNevada,
Based on the information that you just provided (I presume you live in Nevada)….YES, you ARE eligible to receive the EB money!
———————————-
In other words, if your B.Y.E. (”Benefits Year End”…see your check stub/account records for this date) date occurs WITHIN your State’s prescribed “12-month” window, then you would automatically qualify to get the EB money, REGARDLESS of whether or not your State Law gets suspended/changed.
Remember, Jack, it’s those (long-term)unemployed folks whose B.Y.E. occured MORE than the required “12-months” ago…
…THESE long-term unemployed folks are the ones who would NEED their State to change/suspend their law in order to qualify to get their individual share of their State’s (possible) alloted EB money.
CAUTION: Some State Governors are openly talking about REFUSING the Unemployment portion of this 2009 Stimulus package!
You might consider finding out about your Governor’s position…
———————————
Here’s the deal, Jack:
1) Nevada has ALREADY “Triggered ON” (i.e. qualified) for 13 weeks of the EB program money. It qualified via Option #1.
2) Note: There are 2 possible options/ways for a State to “Trigger ON” to the EB program:
a) Option #1 – I.U.R = Insured Unemp Rate.
b) Option #2 – T.U.R = Total Umemp Rate.
3) Click on the link below, to get the details of the EB program and its two qualifying options:
http://www.nelp.org/page/-/UI/eb.report.feb.09.pdf?nocdn=1
———————————-
I hope this helps add clarity to your situation, Jack.
P.S………Please remember to find out about your Governor’s position, regarding the “Unemployment” portion of this Stimulus package.
i live in illinois my benefit year runs out in april i called the unemployment office here in springfield the man i talked to was really nice he explained it to me that even if your benefit year runs out that you are still qualified for the extension and then he went into this amazingly boring talk about all this other stuff that could happen and i had to stop him and tell him to put it in 2 year old terms so i could understand it lol anyways i hope this helps anyways
Good posts all-
I was reading round the internet last nite and found that the Governors are required to certify within 45 days (by the beginning of April) that they will accept the Stimulus Pkg and its provisions if they are doing so. (also note if a Governor declines to accept there are provisions in the bill to allow state legislatures to over-ride)
I noticed for example that the Gov of Rhode Island just signed that state’s certification and noted in the press release that he was working with his legislature to maximize the unemployment benefits that his state can glean from the Package.
Suggest that you follow your respective state’s actions in this regard.
Good Luck
To: Everyone
Man, I’m really worried for everyone. The stories I read and the ages I see makes me pissed off. Everything that’s happening now was evident along time ago. Isn’t that typical government? Jump on something when it happens? Luckily we’re early on in new elections and people are going to want to get elected again. Sad to say and good to know but I believe that legislatures will act because of that. Dorks. Nothing deffinate but something to think about and keep you from worrying your hair out.
To: Ed
Thanks. Of course after your post I searched the internet and found all sorts of helpful information. Luckily, because I didn’t make much money before I went on unemployment, I am eligible for EB under state and federal law. It’ll probably 50/50 starting out if Nevada doesn’t do something to get the 100%. They’re only hurting themselves, because regardless, I’m getting it. But, about the benefit year beginning date, it was updated when I started receiving EUC. So, the website says September 08 is the beginning and September 09 is the ending. I’m posistive that I applied for unemployment on or after 4/20/08. I have all the things I received in the mail so. Hopefully the benefit year beginning date wouldn’t be earlier than when I filed. I’m not gonna fish them out right now but I will later…busy typing. But, one thing I did notice on my state’s unemployment site, they used to have a little notice along with everything else saying that Extended Benefits are not available at this time, even while I was filing EUC. Now, the notice that it’s not available is gone, although there’s no notice that it is available. I’m confident though, as certain things have been brought to light. I’ll fish out my first determination later on just to make sure I won’t get screwed and post my findings.
To: Misty in FL
One out of these 300+ posts said that their state would require evidence for the 2 weeks prior to filing for EB. Not sure which one but just look around and you’ll find it. I think it was after the 303 post which was very helpful. I read on one state site that they would only require 1 week evidence. But, I did read, that any federally funded benefits would require weekly tangible evidence of your job search. I saw one state required 3 applications a week and another said 4. It’s still all too confusing, but if you haven’t been keeping good records and/or lost your search history, and are planning to file, get out there and make sure you have at least one a day. Just to be on the safe side. You could go to your local McDonald’s and speak with the manager and ask them if they’re hiring. Usually they’re gonna say no, but take down their name and info and make sure they take yours down as well. I read this info on a Q&A about Obama’s plan. There was a question about whether or not the requirements for worksearch history would change. The answer was no, but it did say any federally funded benefits, excluding EUC, would require weekly tangible evidence. But, another thing I know, they can’t really require you to produce your entire history over these long months. Plus, no agent would take the time to check out each and every one. Impossible. Basically, if you already got a payment for a certain week, you don’t need that history anymore. But if you’re applying this week and haven’t been paid yet and they ask for it, then you would deffinately have to have it. They can’t charge you for all the moneys you’ve received because you can’t produce the history for a year ago. You don’t have a secretary and you don’t keep good records. It happens. You could have been laid off from BurgerKing. Now, who works at BurgerKing that can keep track of thier records? No offence BK workers! If you have 4 weeks left of TierII or EUC, use all that time to visit just one place a day and take down the info. It sucks, but it will insure that you won’t get screwed. Same if you have 2 or 1 week left and don’t have much to show. It would really suck to not get that extra money because of not having that info. Plus, if you’re worried about loosing the actual papers, type it out on your computer and save it. But, again, there’s no way everyone searching for a job has the ability to take down and keep that info. All sorts of things can happen. Not saying to go ahead and be lazy and come up with an excuse when they ask. All states are different, so Google Florida Extended Benefits Work Search or Job Search or something along those lines. Usually you’ll find something, even if it’s old, it’ll give you an idea of what you’ll need to provide. Just type keywords into google and maybe something will come up. Mix it up too. Throw Obama in there and maybe you’ll find more up to date info.
To: Bob
I feel for ya, man. You’ve been out of work for a good while. Are you still receiving benefits and have you been receiving them this whole time? YOU hang in there yourself.
Again, I will be refreshing periodically. Thanks for everyone’s help and concern. We’re all in the same boat now. It may be sinking, but we can all grab a bucket to dig the water out and stay afloat for a little while longer. And, excuse some of the misspellings…don’t feel like spellchecking.
Keep on keepin’ on.
Bob I also feel for you too! I also been out of work since 2007! I read in the Times Herald of St.Clair-N.Macomb someone complaining that not everyone can do shovel jobs and I agree! People are getting pissed off here in Michigan. We went into this economy a year earlier than the rest of the nation. Whenever we go to town theses days we count the empty houses. The situration is just getting much worst! Michigan isn’t alone anymore at 10 percent and the truth is we must be reraching 20 percent in some areas like Port Huron. This is a national crisis yet we are still sending money overseas, does that make any sense since Americas are in need?
Back in the depression people ran to california! Opps, can’t go there! Nevada, nothing there! Florida, forget about it! Hey I hear that Washington DC in booming! It was in Yahoo last week! Am I going CRAZY, or is it the World in DC!
Thanks Rick in Nevada. I found the post. It is #321 and describes the type of info that may be required for proof of seeking work. I just wanted to verif that they didn’t expect you to provide contact names from interviews — there are many weeks when there are no interviews – just a constant stream of paperwork. Thx again!
We should all be running the gov budget. We have learned to juggle rent/mortgage, car payment, ins, utilities, food and more all on our unemployment checks that we pay taxes on.
isnt that the truth linda hell i can balance my own budget pay my 400 month car payment (because i have to have a car to find work) pay my 700 a month mortgage my lights gas water buy food and more on 1500 a month wow amazing so im glad we will be getting this extra 25 dollars maybe just maybe it will keep me from sending my wife and kids to her moms and me from living in a luxurious appliance box down by the river lol
Hey all! Wrote a few posts awhile back and was just checking back in. I’m glad someone found my posts helpful (#’s 303 and 304) because I was kinda confused on whether or not the EUC Tier 2 and the EB were the same or not as well – they ARE NOT.
However, I just wanted to see if someone can confirm something for me. To see if I am understanding the “date change” thing in HR1.
I live in Pennsylvania and exhausted my regular state benefits somewhere around the middle of January 2009. I am currently collecting EUC Tier 1, of which I am eligible until the end of May 2009.
Now, my question is, now that the “dates have been changed” that were originally placed in the EUC bill in 2008, will I be able to collect EUC Tier 2 if/when my EUC Tier 1 runs out in May 2009 (my state is already giving out Tier 2 to others)? The old date was for the end of March and the new date is for the end of December.
So I CAN collect the EUC Tier 2, which will cover my butt till late August 2009, correct?
THEN, if my state triggers on the EB I can collect that till like November 2009, right?
Lastly, for those looking at collecting EB. My father (I’m 32) told me a story about the Carter era when he was laid off. He said that they made everyone go around to businesses in person and have them sign letters that they were there looking for a job, etc. as part of the EB thing. In other words, get ready to spend money on gas and time on putting in apps at places that aren’t hiring anyway. He also told me, that back then the businesses started getting “upset” that they were spending all their time signing these papers for the unemployed rather than answering phones and doing actual work.
JR–the way I understand this is that those of us already on EUC tier 1 or Tier 2 can get the extended benefits(EB) if our states are eligible and have triggered on and also anyone who will run out of Tier 2 before end of 2009 will qualify also for EB as long as their states unemployment rate is high enough to trigger it. Someone else may want to add to this, but I have read the information from NELP over and over.
CA. Last year (2008)I started drawing unemployment then went to work part time and continued to draw benefits when not working till exhausted and signed up for extension and they declined on basis they said I did not make enough money in a certain quarter to QUALIFY. Then part time job ended with no income till my anniversary date in Nov. 2008 which I started new claim which will expire after 26 weeks (around first of may)My question is two part 1)Can they say the same thing as before “that I do not qualify” for extension? 2)Should I be eligible for the 33 weeks and do I have to re-sign up online like I did back in Nov. 2008 for extension or will they automatically start up extension after last check? I don’t want to get the cart before the horse but it would be nice to have more info for future reference. Thanks so much!! Mike
Thank you all so much for this information.
For Jon in Michigan, you are so right. I am 58 years old and haven’t worked since late 2007. In the old days, that’s exactly what I did. When I left NY for Florida in the early 70s and things got tough there, I went to Cali till 87 till same thing there and ended up here in boomtown Vegas. Not so anymore. I read that piece about D.C. last week. Are we all gonna have to move there. I’m an accountant, but there’s nothing to count in Vegas anymore and they opt for the younger ones. And no, although, I’m in fairly good shape for my age, I cannot even walk on snow anymore much less shovel.
Forgot to mention that I emailed NELP and spoke to someone there on the phone today. He said it’s very complex, but I told him their article broke it down pretty well. I believe its hard to give a pat answer for each person, because for one thing we all got on EUC at various times and each of our states interpret some things differently than others. As for Nevada, I have just finished writing to my State Senator and Assemblyman, as well as our Governor. I just don’t understand how a legislature can turn down money that doesn’t come out of thier own state’s pocket. So, I’m hopeful. Everybody hold on cause were in for a rocky ride.
Ok so I was laid off 2/08 from a bank that was sold to another bank. Im at the very end of the last 13 week extension. I will be done like 4/7/09. IM SCARED. Anyone know if there are any new extensions? I mean I know they cant keep handing them out, but geeze more jobs are lost every day. I have interview, then NOTHING….. Im scared. I know you all feel my pain. Any info. is appreciated.
Jill-you do qualify for 13 more weeks if your state enacts a law to trigger the TUR. All of the money comes from the federal government, so their is no good reason your state legislature shouldn’t pass it just like mine in California. Mine runs out the same time as yours. I have emailed my governor and state legislators. You should do the same. Good Luck to you
Everyone who comes to this site should email the Governor of their state (and anyone else that is applicable) and request that their state begin activating the legislation required to accept the Extended Benefits. We need to make noise and flood these offices with emails, phone calls, and letters to get the fire lit under their butts!
Thank Sue! We must all write our State and Federal Officials, I try to find a site later and post it for all States and Federal Officials. Numbers make us a force and we must stick together.
Jill, I believe you will be able to get EB benifits in Illinos, Your State is Democratic and more progressive. So if you used Teir 1-2 whichich in addition to your Regular up 26 weeks and another Teir 1 13 weeks, Teir 2 7+13 weeks you will must likely get another 13 weeks.
But lets be honest with ourseleves, does anyone expect the economy to turn around in the next 90 days?
Congress and our States would like us to disapear and become invisible! They creative this mess and we are forced to live with it!
We have no jobs in my community, We have family men standing on corners in suits near the mall with signs, will work for Food or Diapers! Its so sad, yet we coming to the aid of other countries and not to mention the mouse in San Francisco Bay. Give any of us 30 million and I will creative jobs for here Americans and won’t ask for bailouts.
News Information:
Former Mayor of Detroit was release from jail and found a job in Dallas with Compuware. He owes Detroit 1 Million Dollars in Fines, He rented a home for 250,000 a year and flew to Dallas on a private plane that cost 20,000 dollars that his mother, Congreswomen Kirkpatrick paid for! Well we yelled at the Auto Companies for taking private jets, but where do these congressman and Senators get this kind of money from! Didn’t they get the memo about private planes, or do they just think that they are above us!
These people are elected to serve us! We must take back our nation and we need to send a Clear Message! Obama promised CHANGE! I not only voted for him, I promoted him, yet I see NO CHANGE!
Sound Off America! Before we all go down!
I remember a Editorial Comuic with a Mexican swiming to America, When he walked onshore the American said we have no jobs here! So both the Mexican and the America started swimming to China!
Am I the only one mad around here! Something is wrong with the system and we are being squeezed and now our government want us to GO AWAY! DROP DEAD! Well I’m not going away without a fight! I don’t believe in Socialism but the Wall Street Brokers, The Bankers and the Political Folks all betrayed us for Greed!
Sound Off America!
Thanks everyone for your help. I guess Im still confused. April 7 will be 59 weeks I have used. So are they looking towards another 13 week extension? Which would make it then 72 weeks? I dont see this mess clearing up soon. Last I heard Illinois was like 8% unemployment rate. This is devistating. I have no medical insurance and PRAY TO GOD. I dont need it. I got turned down for state medical, why? who knows. I dont make any money and cant even pay my bills on the benefits.
Hi Jill-yes that is what everyone is saying.Some states get 13 more weeks after the 59,some get 20 weeks and some don’t get any. Illinois gets 13 but only if the state government passes a law that triggers it. As Alison said at the top of this blog states have started to do that. New York did it, Rhode Island did it. I am waiting on California, you are waiting on Illinois. There probably isn’t anyone at your state unemployment that can talk about it until it is passed. It is actually an old law passed in the 70’s. Most states don’t automatically have it turned on because the state has to contribute half of the dollars. This time the federal government is paying all of it. Some Republican dominated states may turn it down because they don’t want to cooperate with the president. I hope that doesn’t happen. Illinois like California is controlled by the democrats. I myself have been a republican my whole life, but if our economy turns around and people start finding jobs, I may switch parties.
Richard, thanks so much for the info. Im praying to god they pass it here. I do have a few interviews coming up, but it seems that is as far as it goes “just an interview”no offer
. If they know people are running out do you know when they will pass it or tell us yay or nay? I know we are all in the same boat and it is so nice to know that I am not alone.
Hi Jill–yeah. I can tell you about a lot of interviews in the last 12 1/2 months that I am sure I was as good as a candidate as they talked to but I wasn’t cheap and I wasn’t young so no offer. What are people going to do after this last extension runs out, I don’t know. I don’t have medical benefits any more. Hopefully I can keep managing to pay our car payments. Keep looking at your state site and looking at the top of this blog. I am sure Alison will post news as soon as she can confirm that its real news and not rumor. Good Luck with the interviews.
After nineteen years with the same company, I found myself out of work due to their filing bankruptcy and shutting their doors for business. I hadn’t anticipated it being this difficult to find a new job and find myself panicking now that I seem to be coming up on the end of being able to rely on my unemployment checks to keep my family afloat and all attempts at finding a new job so far have been not been succesful.
I have been trying to follow the posts on this blog and have found them to be both helpful with information and truly knowing that I am not the only one out there struggling and scared during these trying times. I too have found a lack of straight forward information with regards to what the long term unemployed will be able to count on; if anything at all, as so many of us approach the end of our extended benefits or have already gotten there.
I am hoping that you may be able to help me in figuring out my current situation.
I filed my original claim at the end of April 2008. I received my regular 26 weeks and then in November of 2008 I received a letter stating I was eligible for another 20 weeks of extended benefits. At the end of this month my 20 week extension runs out.
Richard, I see that on your post (171) you stated that after you got your last check from the 20 week extension, it stated that you qualified for the final 13 weeks and claim forms would come automatically and there was nothing to do on your part. I see that you have also been helpful with information for others who seem to be in my current situation.
Do you know if that would apply for my situation? Based on your posts it seems that would be the case, but I am so confused right now with all the information floating around out there that I’m not sure of anything.
Jenine–good news for you. When you receive your last check on the 20 weeks (13 and 7) you should receive a notice on the stub that tells you, you will get 13 more weeks for a total of 59 weeks. When I received that last check 2 days later my claim forms for those 13 weeks arrived in the mail. You don’t have to do a thing. When you get that last check which should be a one week check look on the stub. If the info isn’t there then it will be time to get ahold of someone(GOOD LUCK!!) Just to keep you informed the first 20 week extension you received was Tier 1 of EUC. The next 13 weeks that I am talking about now is Tier 2 EUC. The additional 13 or 20 weeks we are talking about now(20 in our case) were approved in the new stimulus package. They are called EB for extended benefits. These are the ones that the state legislatures have to approve in order for us to get them so email the governator and your senators if you can and beg. I DID! My 59 weeks are up in one more month.If they do this and they should you will have 26 more weeks coming. I did see an interview with Arnold that he said they will take everything the federal government wants to hand out. Good Luck to you. Any more questions just ask. I will respond.
Jenine–my mistake 13 and 20 more make 33 more weeks. the 13 you already qualify for and then the 20 if we get them.
I just received my last check on the 20 week extension, and on the check stub, as Richard, said, there was a notice stating that the second extension(13 weeks)will be automatically paid and no further action required on my part except to fill out forms that will come in a couple of days.
Hello All,
I’ve been collecting u/e since Oct 08. My first 26 wks expire the last week in March or First week in April. Would I qualify for EUC? I’m in PA, the website states that I would need to run out of benefits by March 21st. Does that mean I do not qualify for EUC?
Michelle in PA. You will get EUC under most conditions
Tier 1 13 Weeks
Tier 2 20 Weeks (7 and then 13)
EB 13 Weeks
You are still safe at the moment, Best bet go back to school with any grants that your state may offer!
Richard and Linda, thank you so much for sharing your information with me and affirming my thoughts of being eligible for an additional 13 weeks. I of course never count on anything until I actually have it in my hands and keep hoping that I will no longer need unemployment benefits, but this eases my mind quite a bit.
Richard, I too can’t imagine that Arnold would turn down any assistance that will not come out of California’s budget and hope the 20 weeks comes through asap for you. I did send a letter to my district representative Nancy Pelosi a few weeks ago. Not sure if it actually got to her or the right person that can make things happen, but I had figured it couldn’t hurt to send it.
I’ll keep following the posts and hope that everyone finally gets employed or at least has the rest of assurance that their benefits will not run out anytime soon.
Thank you again!
Thank you for your prompt response. The pa unemployment website is confusing. I thought that I was not eligible for anything as I will not meet the March 09′ deadline. I thought to myself “That isn’t fair” considering I have never filed for an extension. Is the 13 weeks automatically given to everyone after they use their reg u/c benefits?
Michelle, I can’t speak for your state but in California we had to apply for that first 13 week extension(Tier 1) once the last check for the first 26 weeks was issued. The rest of the extensions were automatic. I don’t know if that still applies under the Recovery ACT or not or if it comes automatic. You will need to find out. If you can’t find out anything once that last check is issued and if you don’t get something telling you it is coming then I would apply again. Hopefully someone from PA will respond here. Good Luck to you
Does anyone know about any new (3rd tier) in Illinois. My 59 weeks is up April 7. I was laid off 2/2008. I know Richard has been very helpful, but wanted to know if anyone here in Illinois is in the same boat as me? Thanks
jill as far as i understand you shouldnt have to do nothing i called the local here in springfield and he said that it will kick in as soon as you use all your ext out
Yeah, but Im about out of the 59 weeks. 26 + 13+7+13. Is there another 13 weeks after that which would total 72 weeks? Im scared and CONFUSED.
Thanks for your help 
Hey Tom…..Are you still out there????
Any idea where we fall into the EB picture??
There seems to be “MASS CONFUSION” out there as to who falls into what group…..I was laid off in July of 07. My EUC will expire at the end of this month…..
I would greatly appreciate clarification….
Thanks……
I’m glad I found this info. I was starting to get extremely pissed because I “just now” got laid off. In my trade I can pretty much foresee the length of the layoff from past exp. and this looks like the worst ever and ive been off for over a year before. Anyhow I almost flew off the handle before I found out they were extending things past march and august because that will exclude me and that is entirely unfair.
Also……I believe we need to start a movement against GOP governors who deny extensions. I’m not kidding when I say this…if I lived in one of those states, which I dont, and started lossing everything because of one of those idiots I would literally stake that bastard out and blow his/her head off. No joke. That is complete political bs and we need to take a serious stand on this issue. Many of the GOP southern states are already suppressed enough in terms of wages and benefits and now this?? No, huh huh. That needs to end RIGHT NOW!
CALIFORNIANS–YOU MAY NEED TO TAKE ACTION–My check is in the mail to me for week 5 and 6 of the final 13 weeks of 59 weeks. I checked the phone message site and found out I only had a check coming for 1 week instead of two. I dialed the phone for 90 minutes today and finally got through..They told that since my 1 year was up since I filed(FEB 15) the computer kicked me into the uneligible area. The man on the phone(MARK) was very pleasant and said it was necessary to refile which he did for me over the phone and now the other weeks check and claim forms are on the way to me for the rest of the 13 weeks. If you are past that one year date and still receiving EUC benefits then you need to do the same. Of course you can do it online which will trigger something in their system for them to take a look at. If you have the patience and can get through on the phone it will go a lot faster and you won’t have as long as a break between checks. You must wait until after your claim is past the one year date, but then do it right away so you don’t end up with a short check like I will this week. I don’t know if it works the same way in other states or not but if you are in this situation you might want to find out. GOOD LUCK TO ALL
Because I was unsure if I was getting that final 13 weeks, I applied online, last week, hoping to trigger something. Then I got that notice on my check stub. Hope we hear something soon about EB, as I am still perplexed about the status of that in Calif.
Linda, were you past your one year date of your original. If you weren’t then you haven’t triggered anything. If you weren’t past that date then you will have to file again when u are or the same thing will happen to that happened to me today. Glad u got your extension.
This is on the Florida Unemployment website:
FACT SHEET
UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (P.L. 111-5)
Affect on Emergency Unemployment Compensation Benefits:
• Extends last date to file for Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) from March 28, 2009 to January 2, 2010.
o The last effective date for First-Tier or Second-Tier benefits is December 27, 2009.
o Regular Unemployment Compensation (UC) benefits must be exhausted on or before the week ending on December 26, 2009 to qualify for First-Tier EUC benefits.
o First-Tier EUC benefits must be exhausted by December 26, 2009 in order to qualify for Second-Tier EUC benefits.
• Extends last week for which EUC benefits can be paid from the week ending August 29, 2009 to the week ending June 5, 2010.
• There are no additional EUC benefits for claimants who exhaust all of their First-Tier and Second-Tier EUC claims.
Federal Additional Compensation (FAC) Payment Information
• Claimants will be entitled to an additional $25.00 weekly payment for each week for which they meet all eligibility requirements.
o Claimants receiving regular, Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC), TRA, military or federal unemployment benefits are eligible to receive this additional $25.
o Alternative Trade Adjustment Assistance (ATAA) benefits cannot be supplemented with the FAC payment.
• Effective date of the additional $25.00 payment is February 22, 2009.
• 1st week for which the additional $25.00 can be paid is the week ending on February 28, 2009.
• Last week payable for the additional $25.00 payment is the week ending July 3, 2010.
• Claimants who exhaust their Second Tier benefits on or before the week ending on February 21, 2009 will not be entitled to the additional $25.00 for any weeks previously paid.
• The Agency for Workforce Innovation anticipates the requirements necessary to process these additional payments will be completed by the end of March at which time previously eligible claimed weeks will be paid.
• No application will be necessary to qualify for these additional benefits.
• This does not increase the unemployment Weekly Benefit Amount (WBA).
• The additional $25.00 will be distributed in separate payments from regular or extended benefit checks and electronic fund (direct deposit) transfers.
• No child support payment can be deducted from these benefits.
Federal Income Tax
• If you elected to have income tax deducted from your benefits, it will also be deducted from the additional $25.00 payment.
• Beginning with the 2009 tax year, $2,400 of the benefits that are paid will be exempted from federal income tax. The Agency will report to you the total amount of benefits paid for this year and this will be adjusted on your income tax form filed next year. All unemployment benefits issued in 2008 are taxable.
Hey there, everyone! I have to say how helpful this blog and your comments were as I tried to figure out the maze for extending my unemployment, completely unable to find work (I’ll even take something that barely covers daycare for child)…. After nearly two full days of calling CA EDD, I finally got through this morning at 8:15. And I don’t qualify for *any* extension as my earnings were not enough in the period they calculate. OUCH. Scared. Chin still up, but it has been so tough trying to rebuild from fall of *ethical* mortgage career/Ops Mgr/Sr Exec Asst with legal, customer service, contract negotiation background. I now face the dreaded thought of welfare, and am beyond devastated to even think of it. The EDD rep was extremely nice/well educated, and suggested I and others reach out to our local politicians about the gap that exists for people like me…I am sure I am tip of the iceberg…. Keep on keepin’ on, everyone!
Ok so on Mistys copy and pasted post, it states there are NO more extensions after the 59 weeks? Has anyone heard otherwise. Richard has been a big help with answering this but now im a bit confused. I was talking to my old boss last night (who lost her job too) and she said she heard something called “relaxing the unemployment” I guess it was something they did in the 70’s? Anyone know what this is? I guess I am really screwed on April 7 as that is my last call date. UGHH> I also was in the scary banking world.
Jill–all states don’t handle benefits the same way. For instance California is already paying the extra $25.00 starting week of Feb 22. Money is being included in the same check as the regular EX-I get 450 so that will be 475 a week. I have read enough to know and Alison mentions it at the top of this blog that there is extended benefits for some states and not for others. Some states already have the law enacted while others need to so like I stated yesterday. When I was on the phone today with California EDD I asked the man I was speaking to about it. He didn’t know much but he knew that California was considering it. I don’t believe its as simple as yes or no so we will have to wait and see. I haven’t given up hope,
CA. Last year (2008)I started drawing unemployment then went to work part time and continued to draw benefits when not working till regular benefits were exhausted and signed up for extension and they declined on basis (SAME AS ALI IN CA. (381) AS MY EARNINGS WAS NOT ENOUGH IN THE PERIOD THEY CALCULATE.) Then part time job ended with no income till my anniversary date in Nov. 2008 which I started new claim which will expire after 26 weeks (around first of may)I am getting the max. of $450. a week My question is two part 1)After my reg. 26 weeks end now can they say the same thing as before “that I do not qualify for an extension because of not enough earnings” (AGAIN JUST LIKE THEY TOLD ALI IN (381)? 2)If my earning are going to be a factor in QUALIFYING for an extension in 6-8 weeks HOW do I find out NOW if I have enough earnings to QUALIFY for the first extension after my reg. benefits run out? I don’t want to get the cart before the horse but it would be nice to have more info for future reference. If I found out now that at the end of my reg. benefits that I was going to be cut off I may actually handle my living arrangements different between now and then. Basically I just saying I probably would be making different choices now just for survival needs in the future. Any info on the 2 questions or anything else is greatly appreciated. Thanks so much!! Mike
Mike/CA, yikes! If you can, please try to get an informed EDD rep on the phone.
Denied for extension, I have to file for ‘welfare’ and just read that: 1. My car is over the $2k asset limit – wow! How will I find work without one? 2. I feel *very* badly for homeowners (already lost mine) and anyone else in San Diego County that is left to swallow any dignity or pride left and is forced to get welfare after unemployment is out and still no work… because the SD D.A.’s investigators office will search your home without notice or a warrant to ensure your assets are less than $2k…so, I guess I will now have to sell my car with only two payments left, and my antique armoire and bed, not to mention my child’s furniture and Xbox, tv’s, laptop… wow…things I have left that I worked so hard for and have not even used a credit card in 19 years… because I don’t ‘qualify’ for unemployment extension and can’t find work! And I am aware I’ll never see my $26/hr wage again…and am trying for anything even minimum wage–
Be prepared everyone, any state, if the economy worsens like Fed projected through ‘10/past the unemployment extension, and you total over $2k in assets (or your state’s asset cap)… everyone will have to sell their belongings and drive a car worth $300 to find work for temporary welfare help… amazing… I am in my prime and have been paying taxes since I was 14…
Ali I am also in San Diego, CA. I was wondering when you was collecting reg. benefits did you claim in wages from work during your 26 reg. weeks? Something does not sound right to me. I am unemployed at no fault of my own and it sounds like they can and may deny my 1st (probably only) extension. I thought about an appeal this last summer when it happened but I figured it was some kind of racket (clause) in the wording some how and I was told if I just waited a couple more months until my anniversary date I would be eligible for max.of $450.week compared to the $141. a week that I was getting because I could claim wages in different quarter on new anniversary date. So I waited and collecting max.now (BUT WHAT ABOUT AFTER 26 WEEKS)something to me just does not add up!!
Mike
Mike/CA (hello fellow San Diegan!) – contact me via google mail…snowismelting
Any advice from wonderful posters here is most welcome! Can’t give up hope!
NELP just updated their Q & A (Mar 2) on “EB”
at this link. FYI
http://www.nelp.org/page/-/UI/extended.benefits.feb.09.pdf?nocdn=1
Thanks Tom, I have read this many times and all one has to do is read it to find out if their state qualifies. For those who have been posting lately it is obvious that Michigan is already in. California, Florida, Illinois and others will be in if their state passes the simple law. In total there is only 26 states who qualify and as I said earlier if you have been on benefits for more than a year and are ready to exhaust your 46 or 59 weeks you qualify as well as others who will reach that point yet this year. Good Luck to all of us.
Hello from Delaware
I’m in a similar situation as many here, I’ve exhausted the original EUC Tier1 13 weeks, as well as the Tier 2 (first part) 7 weeks.
We didn’t qualify for the 13weeks “high 6% unemployment” extension at first.
http://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.de.htm
The Delaware unemployment rate for Nov was 5.6%, and for Dec was 5.7%. The news is now that Jan is 6.7%
What triggers the additional Tier2 13 weeks extension? 3 months over 6%, or a 3 month *average* over 6% ?
(which the latest Del figure makes for)
+++++++++++++++VERY IMPORTANT+++++++++
Adding insult to injury……The Banks/Credit Card Companies we’ve just bailed out with TAX PAYER MONEY are slashing our credit limits, which will impact our FICO scores. I just rec’d a letter today from DISCOVER/HSBC cutting my credit line more than 50%. I have never been late or overlimit….
SO….when/if a potential employer pulls up your credit report, more than likely your credit score will be diminished by these credit reductions…..
After 20 minutes on the phone, I was finally able to reach a supervisor @ DISCOVER who, although very sympathetic, couldn’t do anything about the decrease in my credit limit. Her comment was that “DUE TO THE ECONOMY” they’re reducing the amount of credit they initially provided to cardmembers. What a slap in the face!!!! However, she was able to reduce my APR by 1%.
Long & Short…..contact your creditors and try to negotiate a better APR…..
Hope this helps……
I am still out of work to and all my extensions have been exhausted,I thought I may get a 3rd one but nothing so far.
My last extension ran out in Dec of 08.I am to the point now in which I am going to have to take money out of my 401k and pay a penalty to the IRS but it’s either that or be homeless, so what choice do I have.
I live in Kansas, at first the unemployment office said there would be no 3rd extension, then a couple of weeks later they told me they have not been instructed by the federal Gov’t on anything yet, BUT to keep filing my weekly claim.
Today I looked back on the states DOL site and it stated that they are doing everything they can to get funds in Kansas, so maybe by them telling me to still keep filing there maybe a ray of hope yet?
Theres so much confusing info on the web that I don’t believe any of it, that’s why I call the unemployment place and get the facts.
I have even emailed the white house, congress people, senators and the governor of Kansas and have had no response at all.
I don’t like politicians anymore.
If anyone from Kansas on this forum has heard anything on a possible 3rd extension of benefits please let me know if you can.
I can be reached at autec85042@yahoo.com
Thanks and good luck.
Any Kansas citizens on here? If you are and know anything about a possible third extension of unemployment benefits, please let me know if you can.
I have heard some different info from other sources but nothing concrete yet. I can be reached at geraldmarkus@yahoo.com
REF 393.
I am from Topeka Kansas and I have not heard anything yet, but I have been told to keep filing also, so who knows?
Also to the guy who contacted his politicians, nice try but you should have known they were going to keep hush hush. Politicians don’t give a crap about anything but their ownselves.
Scary. I was just watching the news and they said that last month 650,000.00 jobs were lost and now GM is talking about bankruptcy. Ouch…. I cant get in touch with my unemployment office to see if there is a third tier. We are in for a VERY bumpy ride. Anyone get anywhere with Illinois and to see if there is a third tier in the works? I pray EVERY night.
Hi,
I’m in CT and we have no jobs here. I have only a few weeks left of the Tier 2 extension. I called the Unemployment office and got yelled at when asking about an additional 13-20 weeks from EB. I’m scared there aren’t any jobs out there. Does anyone know if CT will be giving the additional EB benefits to those who have been out of work for a while?
Thanks so much!
Jill and Jen -go to post 388above and click on the URL that Tom has posted from NELP. CT already qualifies and the law is in place so it will just be a matter of time. Illinois legislature has to pass the law that will trigger the TUR . You both qualify for 13 weeks after you current tier 2 benefits run out.
There is a Bill in the Ca legislature, ABX3 23. Have you read it? I have been trying to figure out if it pertains to our EB issue here in Calif. Maybe I will try and read it again, tonite.
I also see that bill in the CA legislature and if you look at Assemblyman Joe Coto’s website he has info. about it. There is also an article about it in the la times…latimes.com. Hopefully, they’re trying to pass something here in CA…
Hi Ladies–Thanks for the heads up. I read this bill a couple of days ago and I read it again just now. I’m no lawyer so don’t take my word for it but I believe that this bill refers to the 33 weeks of EUC that we have received and are still receiving for a few more weeks not the EB. I’ll keep looking, you do the same. Lets keep each other informed
I will try to contact Joe Coto, maybe he’s an ally.
To those of you who have been unemployed for more than a year and whose benefits ran out without getting any extensions or for those whose states said you didn’t earn enough in the base period. The Recovery Act has redefined some of those laws. I am not smart enough to understand them, but if I were you I would reapply. You just might be eligible now. It is certainly worth a try. If it works for anyone the share the news on this site. We are all bothers and sisters here.
Jon of Michigan,
We are in the situation we are in because of the Federal Reserve Bank. The Federal Reserve Bank is the greatest scam ever pulled off in history.
If you are angry then educate yourself about the situation. All the politicians take us to the same destination using the two party system playing off on each other and they do nothing to stop the criminal bankers of the Federal Reserve because they all own a stake in this huge money-making scheme.
They borrow money from us to loan to us at interest. Doesn’t that strike you as criminal? Doesn’t something seem wrong with that?
Stop and think about why we are all losing everything! Stop and think about what is going on!
The Federal Reserve doesn’t have the money to loan to us – no one does. They’re not borrow from another, they are borrowing from the tax payers by printing more money. Later our kids will pay for it in “inflation”.
THAT MEANS WE ARE LOANING MONEY TO THE FEDERAL RESERVE SO THAT THEY CAN LOAN IT BACK TO US WITH INTEREST!!!
To Quote Regis Philbin this morning we are in the mess were in because of the pigs that run the banks and the pigs who control those pigs
To: All unemployed Nevadans
Expressclaim.org has finally updated the info for State Extended Benefits. When exhaust all other payments, you will be mailed a notice including weekly claim forms. You will be required to fill these out each and every week you claim SEB benefits. Basically, the notice says, you must bust your butt to find a job and accept any job regardless what it is. It says they will check all records. It’s worded weird, but it seems they will not be as focused on you if you fail to find suitable work within 4 weeks.
Check out the details and requirements at expressclaim.org
this is what i found on th [eb] program once a state tiggers the tur or the iur and has exhausted all of the other benefits including the euc extension then this kicks in.my understanding is that it is mandatory if the unemployment level is at a certian level.
Federal-State Extended Benefits (EB)
Since 1970, federal law has provided for the extension of the duration of benefits in periods of
high and rising unemployment. When the insured unemployment rate in a state reaches certain
specified levels, states must extend by 50 percent the benefit duration normally allowed up to a
combined overall maximum of 39 weeks. There are also optional provisions for payment of EB.
The federal government finances from federal revenue approximately half of the cost of EB paid
during EB periods, including any state benefits paid in excess of 26 weeks.
EB TriggersMandatory – State must pay EB (13 week duration) if the insured unemployment rate
(IUR) for the previous 13 weeks is at least 5 percent and is 120 percent of the rate for the
same 13-week period in the 2 previous years. Optional – At its option, a state may pay EB (13 weeks) if the IUR for the previous 13
weeks is at least 6 percent, regardless of the experience in the previous years.
Optional – At its option, a state may pay EB (13 weeks) if the average total
unemployment rate (TUR), seasonally adjusted, for the most recent 3 months is at least
6.5 percent and is 110 percent of the rate for the same 3-month period in either of the 2
previous years. If such rate is at least 8.0 percent and is 110 percent of the rate for the same 3-month period in either of the 2 previous years, the duration increases from
13 to 20 weeks.
Calif EB info on following link: http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/speaker/News_Room/Press/press_releases/20090304AD47PR01.aspx
That looks like good news for us in the Sunshine State. Hopefully EDD will have something on their site next week and confirm this for us. Linda do you think it is totally passed or is their still a vote? I’m sure Arnie will sign it.
I am not sure if it totally passed. It looks like there has been a lot of activity on it all this week, including today. I dont understand all the stages it has to go through. maybe you can understand the following link:http://www.aroundthecapitol.com/Bills/ABX3_23/
Hi,
Does anyone know if CT is getting a third extension after the Second Tier? I am on the last 13 weeks and called the Unemployment Office about EB and they yelled at me and said that I was lucky I had a few weeks left. Nice, huh! If anyone knows please say something.
Thanks so much!
I’m so Confused! My 59 weeks of unemployment benefits will run out in a month, this includes my first and second extension. What happens next, will there be another extension?
Brandy–if you go to post 388 and go to the url tom has posted you will see there is possibly another 20 week extension for us Californians. In all there are 26 states that can get one more extension, some states for 13 weeks, others for 20 weeks. The states have to enact a law. AS Linda above is talking about this week a rules committee passed the bill, but I think it has to to go to the floor(I don’t know which floor) for a vote. We are in the same boat as you with just about 4 weeks left on our 59 weeks. There are many like us in the boat with us. EDD doesn’t know anything yet and they won’t until it is passed and is put into their system..I hope and believe it will be passed because Arnold said that California will take everything available that the fed will pay for. Linda- I went to the 2nd site you mentioned but did not understand it well enough to comment. Keep digging
Jen, as I said above and the site at the URL posted in post 388 CT qualifies for 13 more weeks of EB after tier 1 and tier 2 have run out and they already had the law in place from the 1970’s. So keep bugging your employment office-sooner or later they should have that in their system–hopefully sooner.
GOOD EVENING EVERYONE! Needed a break yesterday, so I stayed away from all this depression! Sorry!
MORE BAD NEWS UNEMPLOYMENT WENT UP! Even the News Media pretend and say very little about it! It went up higher than expected! Here in Michigan its 11.9 percent, That doesn’t count people that are on EUC or EB, Part Time, People in School or Those that just gave up!
Well I just finished my last week of my 59 EUC benefits! I expected a seperate notice at the same time as my check as always! Well it wasn’t there. I later found a line on my Check Stub that said a “EB Application will be mailed to you” But I called the Michigan UIA and a representative sent me to the wrong place and wanted to restart my claim? But another representative talked to me and said I am qualified for EB and he will send it to a Emergency Action Group for the paperwork, so don’t expect the paperwork to come automatically! Michigan is losing paperwork!
Call whenever you think something isn’t right! I took 2 1/2 hours, better than several months ago when the phones were busy for days!
I asked about another issue, When i was laid off I found another job that was for several months and was paid 2500 after I ran out of my first 26 weeks, but it wasn’t enough to make a claim! That Sucks! But it showed I tried to go back to work before Michigan totally collapse!
So in Michigan don’t just expect the EB to automically click into play! Its a whole other process! Different than the Regular or the EUC! Its a New Application! The paperwork is suppose to come, but not always, things are being misplaced and misfiled by mistake!They are Overloaded!
Jon
NEXT SUBJECT I keep saying I will post a list of Congressman and Senators Sites. My friend Clifton sent me the site address again today!
http://www.stopthehouse.com
http://www.stopthesenate.com
We have a limited amount of time to keep sending messages to congress! We need to SOUND OFF! Otherwise we will be forgotten and pushed aside. Congress wants us to just go away! So instead of playing that video game or IM your friend or going to that site your wife hate, take a few moments and email your congresman and senator! It took Congressman Candace Miller 3 months to answer me, But Senator debbie Stabinoff and Levin answered me right away! Guess who will get my vote!
JR, I spent many years in the newspaper business. this started many years ago! To put companies pension and 401 on investments on Wall Street was no better than going to Los Vegas! At least in vegas you got the glamor and maybe a meal!
Free Trade was the downfall of Manufacturing and Textile! We became a country that people worked in Banking, Service, Government and Retail! Manufacturing used Raw Resouces. Iron, Steel, Rubber, Plastic, Oil and Wood! It created other jobs from the raw resources, processing, manufacturing and repairs. These jobs were hard work and do require trade skills and even some computer skills! Auto workers for example are not like in the past. Throwinhg a tire on a car! Machines and robotic plays a major role! These are high skill jobs that require technically schools.
These are jobs that pay well and a example is that one auto job create 10 other jobs! The auto companies slowed in 2007! They collapse after the banking system. Not just American Auto Companies. That new car cris-cross the border many times in different stages before it is assembly in a plant! 90 percent of that car is made in small shops and plants that are private non GM, Ford, Toyota or Chrysler.
Government allowed people to re morgage their homes over and over again, those morgages were sold from one bank to another over and over again! No regulation on Wall Street played a Vital Role! Lobbys also played a Vital role in Washington!
JR, I write a blog that is seem on many sites, I predicted this outcome 2 years ago! Even if we do recover! “IF” Inflation will catch up and cause another recession! We need to ask ourseleves why defense wasn’t included in this stimulis package! Its manufacturing and that is the largest number of jobs.
I was talking to a road engineer today, even if my county get money from the stimulis package, it would be 2-3 years before those roads or projects can work with a guy on the street being hired! I worked in the past for DPW in Tampa. Engineers, just don’t go out and build a road! Studys from Impact to Eviromental to the Drafting must be done first! Don’t be foolish!
We will most likely still be unemployed 6 months from now! I will bet the Unemployment rate will be 15-20 percent!
This isn’t a Recession, We are in the Greatest Tragic Economy since the great Depression. Even during the Great Depression, People were moving to California for Jobs, Today Where Do You Move! Who isn’t effected?
This is Real Estate, Banking, Wall Street, Unemployment. During what past recession had all of these items! If Oil goes up tomorrow Inflation will total the Western Economys!
So Yes JR! I am upset, My congressman gave 400 Million to Gaza, passed a stupid law banning people from owning monkeys and pretending that we don’t exist as our economy shut door! These clowns are “Out of Touch!”
People are Hurting Here! This isn’t funny no more! I can say my Roof is safe and I have Food! I am Greatful! But many are in much worse shape, and what about those who don’t get unemployment!
I know every November i will be looking to elect other canidates and maybe other parties! I lost faith in the Democrats and Republicans! We need a new group of leadership in America!
So Yes JR I am mad and I do understand this situration, I also live on a border and worked in the media that is so controlled by a few hands. At least I hear a Canadain Viewpoint Daily from CTV and Global! Fox, Gannett, CNN-Time Warner are all interlinked! Viewpoints of major giants!
Jon
I have not posted here in a week or so. Anyone in Fla. has been extended EB Benefits? I exhausted my 46 weeks TOTAL on 2/14. I emailed the Dept. and was answered that a review of my claim reflected that I should continue claiming (which I cannot) from an “extended balance” and that I would receive notice in the mail, of which I have not.
There is no work in my field or the like in the Miami area. I’ve never been out of work and have never seen this happen in my field. I check all sources on a daily basis, and there is approx. 1 job available every 7 days!!! My friends are all in the same boat.
Hi Richard and Linda,
Thanks for all the info. Did you read that article in the la times about the unemployment extension? A rep from EDD said that if that bill is enacted it will take them over 18 months to revamp their ancient system so people wouldn’t start receiving checks until the end of 2010! I don’t know if they just mean people filing new claims or what. I know Arnold said he would take all stimulus money for CA so I guess all we can do is hope. I too am on my last extension…
Thanks SO Much Richard! I’ve been so confused and exhausted with trying to figure out what’s going on. It’s nice to know that in these trying times people can still help others and be of assistance.
I agree Brandy…We’re all in this together…
Thank you Richard and anyone else for making this easier for all of us to understand. Now I hope to make it easier for some of you that have been waiting on the Califoria EDD line:) Here is my email gailsmith.smith@gmail.com. Contact me directly and you will not have to wait again:)
I know there is alot of talk about maybe a third tier but I guess we wont know anytime soon. Mine runs out (2nd final tier( April 7th. Richard thanks for all your info you have been a great help. Anyone in Illinois getting any info? I cant seem to get any info here.
I, too have been out of work for over a year and I find the current economic situation frustrating. I have applied online to hundreds of companies and follow up with a phone call and still nothing. I go to several places every week in person to check on jobs and still nothing.Even with minimum wage jobs they have the attitude that I will just leave when the economy picks back up (IF) so they don’t hire me. Temporary agencies around here are at half staff because companies just aren’t hiring right now. I have worked since I was 15 and have never been without a job this long. I went through two layoffs before but it only lasted a couple of months before I found another job. I have had a few interviews but the problem is, is that these companies have a couple hundred resumes to go through and they are being a lot pickier about who they hire.
It’s extremely frustrating because I’m a single father trying to raise my 7 year girl on very little income. My house was foreclosed on and I had to rent a cheaper place and I lost my car due to all of this economic crap. Luckily I have some friends that will drive me to where I need to go whenever they can without expecting anything in return. I tell you, you sure find out who your friends are in times like these. Unfortunately, I have not heard anything about a 3rd extension but I am trying to stay positive about it. I have exhausted all of my benefits including the emergency parts and am getting stressed out about what I’m going to do next. One thing that irritates me is we didn’t we receive I guess what people are calling the 2nd Tier benefits and it looks like we are not elegible for the EB that some states are. I guess it has something to do with the current unemployment rate but every state in America is suffering and it is just as hard for me to find a job here as it is for anyone else in any other state. I really feel that because of the economic situation everywhere that we all should recieve the 2nd Tier and the EB. There were 2 or 3 people in Kansas that posted on here that said the unemployment office is telling them to keep calling in every week after exhausting their benefitseven thought there is no word on a 3rd extension. I have not spoken with anyone lately from the Unemployment office yet but when I tried to make a claim, a recording told me I am not entitled to any benefits so I’m a little confused about that part. Anyway, I guess I’ll just keep hoping for the best and keep putting in applications to as many places as I can. If anyone from Kansas has anything else to share, I would very much like to hear from you or if you just want to vent your frustration then my email is jgold26@cox.net
The following is the latest for Florida which is right there w/CAL’s unemployment rate – 59 weeks total. I am currently waiting to see if they will extend me the last 13 weeks, of which I am not certain if I would have had to exhaust my benefits last year or what. All this lack of information and different interpretation of the laws is so frustrating.
I hear people talking about a third tier. Anything is possible, since I have never seen anything like this depressed economy. However, I believe that the 59 weeks applies for every state. Unfortunately, Florida is always behind on everything, so for those of you in CAL, I believe there is still hope. I will keep on searching.
HERE IT IS:
The state’s unemployment jumped a full percentage point to 8.6 percent in January from 7.6 percent in December, according to the Agency for Workforce Innovation.
It’s the highest rate since 1992, also a time of recession.
The jobless rate is forecast to reach 10.1 percent by the end of the year, according to a March report by the Florida Economic Estimating Conference.
South Florida’s jobless, who are struggling to find jobs no matter what their experience, are becoming increasingly frustrated.
“I never dreamed it was going to be this difficult to find a job,” said Stephen Sirois, an information technology specialist laid off from a Miami law firm last May. He has had several interviews but no offers. Now Sirois is concerned he has exhausted his unemployment benefits and will lose his condo.
“I won’t be able to afford the gas to look for a job. I have no income at all,” said Sirois, 47. “They’re backing up and bailing out AIG, these car companies. They’re bailing out the big guys. What about the little guy who loses his unemployment?”
Residents who were laid off late last year or early this year still may qualify for unemployment benefits through the stimulus package passed by Congress and signed by President Barack Obama last month. The stimulus extended benefits in Florida for a total of 59 weeks.
But residents who already have received the usual maximum of 26 weeks, plus the 20-week and 13-week extensions from last year, may be out of luck.
Note: Place google alerts re: unemployment in your state and you will get updates every day.
I keep saying I will post a list of Congressman and Senators Sites. My friend Clifton sent me the site address again today! They have all the states and all of the folks in Washington! Email them and pass these addresses onto your friends.
http://www.stopthehouse.com
http://www.stopthesenate.com
Jason, I understand how you must feel and hope that you not only get lucky but remain safe! I will do some checking on Kansas tomorrow. Maybe Richard might know?
It was in our newspaper Saturday. Our country has nearly 20 percent unemployment and the stimulate package gave $103,000 dollars to law enforcement! WOW that won’t go far! We need jobs not Law Enforcement!
Rumor has it we could see another Stimulate Package. We must start contacting our congress now! All of these packages have time limits! PLEASE STRAT TODAY!
Hmmm…I had been reading some things online that looked like this “new legislation” that needed to pass in order for CA to be eligible for add’l Federal $$ to extend unemployment benefits HAD been approved, but then I see this story, which states that one of the Governator’s reps had voted AGAINST it? This is what I just saw online:
http://www.camajorityreport.com/index.php?module=articles&func=display&aid=3948&ptid=9
So, I’m unclear…has this legislation passed, or hasn’t it? I suppose that it may still pass even if not everyone in the CA legislature supports it, but with the seemingly conflicting reports I keep seeing, it’s hard to know what exactly the deal is. ARE we going to be getting the add’l 20 weeks (bringing the new maximum to 79 weeks), or not?? I’m hoping to land something before my 59 weeks is up, but in case I don’t, I would really like to know that there’s at least one last add’l safety net available to me. Why is it so hard to keep us informed? The CA EDD website is soooo slow in its updates, and nobody on staff there seems to know much about anything. This is sooooo frustrating!! People need to KNOW what is up…we’re talking about people’s livelihoods here.
One more story about this:
http://www.sandiegochronicle.com/articles/view/93446
This piece in the San Diego Chronicle says that bill AB 23 X3, the necessary legislation for CA to be able to extend 20 add’l weeks of benefits HAS been approved by CA’s Assembly Insurance Committee, but has to STILL be presented to the Assembly Appropriations Committee for their vote NEXT week…so it looks like we’re still not out of the woods yet…AAAAARGH.
Thanks for the updates lori
Thank you Lori for the updates. It is much appreciated by myself and others in California. For those of you that are tired of waiting on the EDD telephone lines to speak to a representative in Califonia, please contact me. My e-mail is listed above in 421. I have information to share with you:)
To Jon in Michigan and my fellow Nevadans,
Thanks for getting those links to legislatures and governors. I am now in touch with someone in Carson City, NV who is helping my Senator sort out what needs to be written into our statutes to receive the EB under ARRA. I have just written my Governor using your link. It seems that in my state, Nevada, the Labor and Commerce Commmittee discussed the issue on March 2, but they don’t know how to draft new legislation to address this as yet. I sure hope they figure it out, considering Nevada would get 20 more free weeks. It amazed me when I called the State Senator’s office last week that they knew exactly who I was. No one else had emailed them. I guess it takes a bit of desparation to get people to involve themselves in government, and I am becoming desparate. Now if I could only find all the others out there who need this money to get involved. I’m sure there’s more power in numbers.
To Jack in Nevada,
If we have to list jobs it will be strange, but we had to do this in the old days. Do they want you to list them for online claims? And I am willing to take most any job because it will extend our benefits dollar for dollar anyway. The problem is finding anyone who is hiring in the Las Vegas area. Also, I can’t do any job as I am 58 and have never done physical labor. Most jobs that are not in an office require a person to be able to lift 40 to 70 lbs. I just can’t do that. I’m lucky I can lift the 24 packs of water.
Anyone from Illinois? If so has anyone heard anything on a possible third tier extension? I cant get any information. Thanks
Thanks for your response and concern. I appreciate it. Poeple in Kansas and I’m sure other states as well received only the intial 26 weeks, then the 13, and then the 7. As far as I know, nothing comes after that as of yet. No 2nd Tier and no EB. The unemployment rate here is around 5 percent. At least that is what they are saying but I hear about layoffs all the time.
I spoke with someone at one of the temporary agencies here a couple of days ago that had a job opening for some kind of delivery driver. She told me she had over two hundred applications to go through for just that one job, but invited me down to apply along with the other two hundred. I’m hoping she’ll call me back with a job offer but I don’t think I’ll hold my breath.
It’s getting really frustrating so if you or anyone else on here finds out any information about Kansas please post on here or I can be reached at my email address that I posted above. I would greatly appreciate any information. As I mentione before, every state in America is suffering and we all need the help. I certainly don’t expect or even want the government to support me ( I’ve been doing that for myself all my life) but in times like these I believe it’s crucial that something be done for everyone. I have been searching for ANY job for over a year but really at this point what are the chances of finding employment with companies continuing to lay people off? That just means more people are applying to the same jobs that I am. I have been wanting to email my state reps about this but have not had much luck finding email addresses.Anyway, any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks
It’s Mar 9 and I notice that the BLS “Economy at a Glance” stats, which include the individual state unemployment rates have not been updated for January 2009.
Click on whichever State you’d like
http://www.bls.gov/eag/
Does it usually take this long, or is something up?
Are a lot of states about to cross the 6% 3-month average threshold for the last 13 weeks of Tier 2?
Anyone who can help me? Please respond. Just post below in leave a comment.
According to a previous post there
ARE ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR INDIVIDUALS TO COLLECT FEDERAL EB BENIFITS after their state triggers on.
My unemployent claim date ends Jan 3, 2009
Individual Eligibilty requirements that are stated include Claim ending date on or before Jan 31,2009.
Are there any exceptions being made that would allow me the oppurtunity to be considered in leiu of this eligibilty requirement as I meet all others?
Please advise me of anything and everything I must do in order to also collect additonal benifits on the EB program.
I continue to search diligently for employment every day.
Thank you for your posts and all updated information you may have for me!
Anyone in Florida who is aware of what is happening here? If so, please let me know. I’ve been waiting for news to see if they will approve me for the last 13. My claim has stopped. I read that people have been extended 59 weeks. Your help would be greatly appreciated.
Hi Theresa,
Have you tried filing online @ http://www.fluidnow.com ? There’s a section for extended UC Benefits on the web page. Give it a shot and let me know what happens.
I will exhaust my 59 weeks at the end of this month and having panick attacks….I hope there will be a tier 3 EB benefits…
Good Luck!
looks like the California AB 23 vote is tomorrow in appropriations committee;
http://www.aroundthecapitol.com/Bills/ABX3_23/
GLTA
It certainly looks that way….keeping my fingers crossed…..thanks Philip
It’s my understanding after communicating with Kathleen Pender (SF Chronicle) that this bill will have to go through these commitees, THEN the assembly and the senate…THEN finally it will need the Governor’s signature. She said tons of bills never make it through that process every year…hopefully this one will, but who knows how long this will take. I know Kathleen is staying on top of this story and intends to write more about it as she has more information, so keep your eyes peeled for her upcoming stories…maybe she can make contact with some people who can help to bring a little more clarification to this process, so we have a better idea of where things stand.
Hi guys, thanks for the updates. I received an email from the governors office today in response to my email about this extension. I tried to post the whole thing but Microsoft said it was too big and I guess I am not smart enough to figure it out. I will give you the info. It asks for a detailed letter addressed to the governor giving as many specifics as possible including your name, address, phone number, reason and your signature. I will do this today. You can do the same if you wish. You can fax it to 916-558-3160 or mail it to:
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol
Sacramento, CA 95814
KEEP THE INFO FLOWING
Here is an iPetition where you can sign in an effort to push for a 3rd Federal extension to help those about to exhaust even their 2nd extensions:
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/3rdUIExtensionnow/index.html
IS ALISON DOYLE CONTINUING TO RESEARCH THIS ISSUE? I’m just wondering as there have been no significant updates since February (the March 3 update didn’t say much). I’m wondering if she’s reading these comments and trying to get some more answers from those in charge, i.e. Coto/Bass/Schwarzenegger in CA, for example…what is the deal? DO those in govt think that this 3rd ext will pass, and if so, WHEN?? We need some answers and an idea of time frame. Many of us are sweating bullets each day waiting for some resolution to this thing. Thanks.
FYI, Connecticut just confirmed an add’l 13 weeks (resulting in 72 week max) benefits starting in April: http://www.stamfordplus.com/stm/information/nws1/publish/News_1/Governor-Rell-announces-additional-help-for-unemployed-13-more-weeks-of-benefit4501.shtml
Thanks Lori–good news for those unemployed in Connecticut. The site above explains how it works in simple terms. Nothing to do but wait. Good Luck to us Californians. April 11 is when my 59 weeks runs out too.
Thank-you to everyone in CA for all the updates. I’m keeping my fingers crossed!!
Nothing new in the attached but it is a formal Q&A from the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation’s about the stiumulus legislation passed last month.
FYI
http://www.floridajobs.org/about%20awi/open_government/ARRA_QA_UC.htm
Anyone here from Illinois? Hear anything new? Im about to exhaust my 59 weeks and I am a nervous wreck. Not knowing what to do next is scaring me. I see CT. passed the addl 13 weeks. Any info is appreciated. I cant get anything from the Unemployment office, they know nothing.ughh.
Not sure on exact updates in Illinois, except to say that it would seem they are in the same boat as CA, in that the state needs to approve the appropriate legislature to make themselves eligible to accept the add’l federal funding that has been offered. If CA can get it passed, we will get 20 add’l weeks (on top of the current 59 weeks), and IL will get 13. As of March 8, NELP has updated their Q & A about this issue, which includes updated “trigger” lists for extended benefits. According to this, it would appear that CA and IL are among those states that still have to get this legislation passed, otherwise, they will not get the funding, and we won’t get the extension. Here is the link:
http://www.nelp.org/page/-/UI/extended.benefits.feb.09.pdf?nocdn=1
Just keep googling the news breaks every day, to see what the latest news (if any) there is in your state…keeping my fingers crossed!
Hey Tom….
Just read your last post w/link…..So now we’re CUSTOMERS?????
Hi Kim-
No- you guys are not customers, I hadnt seen that Q&A from the Agency before and thought I would pass it on.(unfortunately I think I must conclude from it that they are clueless on the subject of EB) I just popped off a email to our Uncle Charlie (Gov Crist) on EB today. We’ll see what kind of generic response his office can whip up.
Hope you had a good day!
Thanks Lori for the info. I just pray everyday this passes. Fingers crossed for everyone. We need this help!
Hi Kim:
Thanks for the info. but I go to fluidnow.com every day. There is nothing that you can file on line. My first extensions for 20 weeks or a total of 46 were granted after printing and sending the application on-line to Tallahassee. However, I exhausted those benefits on 2/14, and I am still waiting to receive notice. You cannot file on on-line for extended benefits. I have emailed them, received an answer on 2/25 stating that I would receive notice of extended benefits and I am still waiting. Were all 33 weeks of benefits granted to you at the same time for a total of 59? Pls. let me know. Thanks.
I was laid off in Sept. 2007. My original 26 week claim ended and I had to wait until Aug 2008 to reopen my claim. On my check stubs it was called “Continued Claim” and i received 26 weeks additional payments. I just received my last check this week on the “Continued Claim”. But Here is my question:
I received a letter in January 2009 from EDD titled NOTICE OF DETERMINATION FOR EUC. Effective date 07/06/2008 in the amount of 8800.00. Weekly benefit of 440.00.
Was this the Tier 1 and 2 benefit? or did they call the “Continued Claim” this? My checks were for 450.00, not 440.00. I can’t get through for the last 2 days so am not sure if I have exhausted all my benefits. Someone please help me understand all this.
Thanks
tonight at 10pm news they annouced that CT. PEOPLE UNEMPLOYED will get EB after the EUC.everyone will be granted the first 13 weeks; then maybe the additional 7 weeks to follow.my tier 2 ends in mid-april so i’m grateful for the EB 13 weeks, then the possible 7 after till i get on my feet again…so i hope it expands for everyone else as it moves along…….
I am so sorry to hear for those of you that have exhausted all your funds. I believe in a higher power and with that hopefully something comes through for you all. I was thinking, they are limiting people (meaning there is a deadline) who are UNEMPLOYED, but you have people that have been on welfare for years just b/c they don’t want to work. I think they should cap that program and extend u/e because hello I unemployed not being lazy. I am not saying that being on welfare is bad, but to be on welfare for 5+ years is insane. Good faith to all of you.
Hi Theresa…
I never rec’d a letter regarding my final 13 weeks. I just kept going online and filed my weeks and they eventually kicked in. Don’t wait to hear anything official from them. As long as you’ve sent in the paperwork you should qualify. They’re so backed up right now it’s probably taking much longer than when I originally filed for my extension. Just keep online and file…..You certainly won’t get through the phone.
Keep me posted….& Good Luck…..
I emailed the poster named Gail and she gave me a number to call. I got through! I was told that I had used up 7 weeks of the EUC last summer between July and Aug, before I re-opened my claim but still have 13 weeks left. I am a bit relieved and know that nothing will change regarding the economy in 13 weeks. It’s like living with a time bomb. I am 55 years old and going on interviews ( far and few between) is very depressing, since all I have heard was that I was over -qualified…a nice way to say your too old.
What is the difference between EB and EUC?
Thanks in advance!
HAVE ANYONE IN FL STARTED RECIEVING THEIR $25 YET?
I live in Orange County California…Brea to be precise. Who all should I send letters to regarding getting unemployment extended again.
Also, Richard, Lori, Tracy, and others in CA, I think we need some sort of rally. If everyone who was in this position did some sort of protest, they would have to take notice. They are just trying to turn a blind eye and ignore us, but they cannot. The Gays and others do it for their rights, what about ours???
I got through on the phone yesterday and they told me that the $25 a week would be added on my next check. And also told me at the end of April, when my regular benefits run out, to call the 800 number and I would be automatically qualified for 20 more weeks but they did not say anything beyond that. I hope this helps somebody. It helped me for now. And also thanks to Richard (Vicki)for info.
Mike
TODAY ON THE SITE…..
Governor M. Jodi Rell announced today that the federal government has notified Connecticut that it meets the criteria for an Extended Benefits (EB) program that will provide 13 additional weeks of unemployment compensation to those who are out of work. This will increase the maximum benefit entitlement to 72 weeks for many claimants.
According to the Governor, the 13 weeks are in addition to the 26 weeks of state benefits and the 33 weeks of federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC-08) currently being provided to the state’s jobless residents.
“With unemployment now at 7.3 percent, this 13 week extension is a welcome relief to those who have been unable to find jobs in an economy that has not yet turned around,” Governor Rell said.
A state “triggers” onto Extended Benefits as a result of high unemployment rates. Traditionally, when this occurs, 50 percent of EB is paid out through the state’s Trust Fund, which is funded by employer contributions, and the federal government pays the other 50 percent. However, as a result of the stimulus bill, the federal government will pay 100 percent of the Extended Benefits for 2009, saving the State of Connecticut nearly $100 million over the next year. Under federal law, EB claims based on wages paid by the state, municipalities or Indian tribes will be charged to those employers since they are self-funded.
“Each week, the extra $25 now being added to every unemployment check as part of the stimulus bill provides our residents with another $3 million – money that is going toward paying the bills and supporting our families,” Governor Rell said. “An extended benefits program translates to an estimated $200 million that will be provided to Connecticut’s families –one more rung on the ladder we must build to help us climb out of this recession.”
The first week that claimants receiving EUC-08 will exhaust their 33 weeks of emergency benefits will be April 11, 2009. As a result, the first payable week of the federally-funded Extended Benefits will be the week ending April 18, 2009. Eligible claimants will automatically receive the additional 13 weeks of unemployment benefits.
“Over the past year, our state has lost more than 38,000 jobs and during that same time, Connecticut’s unemployment rate has jumped from 5 percent to 7.3 percent,” Governor Rell said. “Initial unemployment claims have risen more than 20 percent since last year, and many factors indicate that the nation, as well as Connecticut, will lose more jobs before the economy begins to grow again. While I am optimistic that Connecticut can work its way out of this recession, this newest extension of benefits will help us to keep our heads above water as we rebuild our state.”
Published by the Connecticut Department of Labor, Project Management Office
TURA, In Michigan the first week of Twenty-Five Dollar is Feb.28th. Each State is very different. No Back payments. Some States were earlier, some later! Be pateint! I think it should have been under a Federal control to start on the same date but its not! So think about all the $25 dollars that some states can swallow up!
Concerning the extra $25.00 per week that stimulus provides. W/E Feb 28 is the first week you can get it for. The president didn’t sign the bill till the week before that.
DEB,
The Differerents between EB and EUC is just the latest Teir. EB is the third extension and is a 1970 law as seen above in message 325.
First you can get 26 weeks if laid off
Second Teir 1=13 weeks
Third Teir 2 7+13=20 weeks
Final EB 13 to 20 weeks depending on your state and if they took the Federal money. Some GOP States refusing to take the money because they must change their rules allowing more workers to get unemployment! Check your State Unemployment page or call your State Labor Department.
Its easy to stand in the corner and complain, But its not wise during these times to do nothing! Each night we see many more suffering from Elkhart Indiana, Detroit Michigan to Fort Myers Florida and the West Coast!
We stand around and do nothing, and eventually we will all be pushed over the cliff one by one! We will be forgotten and displaced!
Or, We can organize ourselves and become a force to get “OUR VOICE” heard! Write your congressman or senator! The best economist is saying that this economy will not turn around for the rest of the year!
EMAIL or WRITE YOUR FOLKS IN WASHINGTON DC
http://www.stopthehouse.com
http://www.stopthesenate.com
OK….I called 916-319-2023, which is Coto’s office and talked to a woman who said ABX3 23 went thru Appropriations this morning and would probably be heard on the Assembly floor next week. Please note, she said probably! Hang in there everyone.
Thanks Jon,
1. Collected 26 weeks from Sept. 2007 – March 2008
2. Collected 7 weeks from July to Aug. 2008
3. Re-opened my claim Aug. 2008 and collected 26 weeks.
4. Applied today and recieving 13 weeks
Now there is a 3rd tier?
My letter does say that under new legislation there is also an extension of 13 weeks, even after the 13 and 7. The website is very vague in CA and you have to call them for any info. The lady was so short with me on the phone that I didn’t dare pee her off!
FOR ANYONE IN CALIF.
California is working on passing a bill to have us qualify for 20 weeks of EB.
Watch for ABX3 23.
http://www.aroundthecapitol.com/Bills/ABX3_23/
Confirming what Linda said the bill ABX3 23 was passed in the Appropriation committee today and now on to the Assembly.So far so good
Just wanted to give an update on the Kansas unemployment rate. As of January, we are now at 6.4 percent. In December it was around 5 percent. Doesn’t look good for job prospects. Please correct me if I’m wrong, but in order for a state to qualify for EB, doesn’t the unemployment rate have to be 6.5 or higher for at least a 3 month period or for the unemployment rate to be higher for three months in a row than the previous 2 years during the same months? Does that sound pretty close to correct?
Hello All,
I just read an article in today’s Daytona Beach News Journal (3/12/09). It’s on page 4A. You can also find it on the web @ http://www.news-journalonline.com/opinion.htm.
It doesn’t mention anything about extensions but it does discuss the $25.00 increase.
Thanks……
It appears that ABX3 23 is going to the California Assembly today.
http://www.aroundthecapitol.com/Bills/ABX3_23
God…I’m really praying that this passes…I don’t know how we’ll all survive without it. There will be millions more homeless people in California without this. The crime rates have already gone up since this started. I believe that they will get much worse when peoples unemployment runs out. People will get desperate when they cannot feed their children or put a roof over their head.
Here are all the United States Representatives – California
hancock@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.Feuer@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.Brownley@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.levine@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.mullin@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.arambula@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.Hayashi@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.nava@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.Saldana@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.torrico@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.Richardson@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.deLeon@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.Salas@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.leno@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.Caballero@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.DeSaulnier@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.Soto@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.Beall@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.Hernandez@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.Price@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.wolk@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.Karnette@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.Ruskin@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.jones@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.Swanson@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.DeLaTorre@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.Carter@assembly.ca.gov, assemblymember.Portantino@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.Galgiani@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.Bass@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.Evans@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.coto@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.nunez@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.Adams@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.walters@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.devore@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.villines@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.Garrick@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.benoit@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.Adams@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.lamalfa@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.spitzer@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.Houston@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.strickland@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.tran@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.emmerson@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblywoman.garcia@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.maze@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.Anderson@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.niello@assembly.ca.gov,
Sorry…Here are the rest:
Assemblymember.Berryhill@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.Jeffries@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.nakanishi@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.Gaines@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.keene@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.Fuller@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.Shirley.Horton@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.plescia@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.Lieu@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.Eng@asm.ca.gov, Assemblymember.Krekorian@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.Ma@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.laird@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.Calderon@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblywoman.lieber@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.Davis@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.Parra@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.dymally@assembly.ca.gov, Assemblymember.hancock@assembly.ca.gov
Regarding your post #462….I am ready to join your rally, as I am so fed up with the whole system. Everytime I call my “rep,” I get a young intern who barely knows what day of the week it is.
I know…I’m sending out letters to everyone I can. I sent one to Gary Miller last Oct about bill H.R. 6867, to extend unemployment benefits (Tier 2). He actually responded after they voted and the bill passed. I’ve sent him another one. I just want these people to realize that they are our elected officials. They have a duty, an obligation to the people in their districts. I think if we did coordinate something like that, and they could physically see the amount of affected people, including our families, our children, they may be more likely (or at least feel pressured) to act.
Hi everyone!Does anyone know whats going on in kentucky about the unemployment benefits that obama passed? Thanks so much….
Hey…I wonder how much they’re paying that intern?
National Employment Law Project (NELP)is useless when it comes to have them return your telephone calls.
I called them about two weeks ago and last month in Feb. I had left two voicemail on at the following offices: California Office, Washington DC Office and West Coast Office in WA.
Nobody ever even cared to return my telephone call voicemail with my question on it. Again, just to note that they are useless (for me).
Also, just wondering why hasn’t Alison Doyle, from About.com updated us with any current info. Her last post was March 3rd which was last Tuesday.
I sure hope that ABX3 23 is going to the California Assembly today. We all need the help here in California and everywhere else.
Thanks all.
I’ve just read all the comments posted. What a nightmare the unemployment situation has become. In Northeast Ohio thousands of unemployed people are lining up for job fairs, hoping to be hired for the few jobs available. If you call Ohio Unemployment, you could be on hold for hours at a time, only to be given so many conflicting answers you don’t know what to believe. I’ve emailed our State Rep about the EB (in Obama’s Recover Act) and the Rep didn’t know anything about it! Sure doesn’t instill much confidence. My husband’s State unemployment ended March 3, 2009, and he only has 7 weeks left on Tier 2. He can’t reapply for another 26 weeks because he doesn’t have any wage credits from last year. (Well…duh…could it be that’s because he’s been UNEMPLOYED???!!!) Because his State unemployment ended, he can no longer file claims online but now must call each Sunday to file for his last 7 weeks of Tier 2. He is 64 years old, has never, ever been laid off, there is nothing available in his field at his pay rate or less, and we are paying over $1,000/mo. for COBRA because of pre-existing conditions for both of us. At this point, we’d clean dog poop as long as we’d get paid. In over a year he’s had only one call from Ohio job services for a job he’s not qualified to do. If anybody is reading from Ohio, we’ve got to start contacting Columbus and put on the pressure for the 13 weeks of EB. Also, contact House Rep Dennis Kucinich in Washington; he fights hard for the underdogs. We have never asked for a government handout in our lives and have always worked hard for the “American Dream.” Millionaire bankers get bailed out and still fly around on private jets, while the unemployed working class face losing their homes. WHERE IS OUR BAILOUT? The unemployed desperately need another Federal extension, not just EB! As Jon from Michigan writes, if we all don’t join together and “storm the gates” of D.C. and each State’s legislature, we’ll be thrown off the cliff one by one and forgotten about as though we never existed. For many of us we can’t even get food stamps, Medicaid, etc. And why not? BECAUSE WE WORKED ALL OUR LIVES AND HAVE TOO MANY ASSETS (which are rapidly disappearing, or already disappeared for many). My husband and I hate what is happening to us, but we know we are not alone. If anyone from Ohio hears any news, please post. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. God bless you.
BAD NEWS FOR TEXAS UNEMPLOYED: Just came across the web at 7:07 p.m., Thursday, March 12th. Texas Gov. Rick Perry rejected the $555 billion in federal stimulus money that would expand the state’s unemployment benefits, but did accept most of the roughly $17 billion slated for Texas in the plan. Google “Texas gov. rejects stimulus money for unemployment” to read the full report.
Anyone hear any news for a possible third tier in Illinois?
Unbelievable what the GOP governors are doing. As a lifelong republican I am beginning to question my political affiliation. Unemployed for more than a year, and does’nt look good in CA. Hope Arnie accepts the $ when we need it the most.
Rick, I am in agreement with you, questioning my lifelong republican support record. Hopefully this thing will pass the 2 houses and Arnie will sign it. I will not support a republican in California who voted against this bill even if it passes, because it shows that they care more about supporting the employers who have let all of us go then the hard working people of their state. It also shows that they would rather go against the president even if it means selling us out. I believe everyone should look at who votes against this in their state and never support them again.
The 6 california assemblymen who have voted against this bill so far are all republicans. Duvall,Harkey,Miller,Nielsen,Garrick, and Niello
Harkey and Garrick are both my assembly reps. I will be calling their offices tomorrow morning. Not sure if the ABX bill was heard today, as I have gotten mixed messages from different offices.
Niello is in mine. I voted for him.
That bastard Duvall is mine…I voted for him too. He’s definently getting a phone call and a letter…not that it will be any good since apparently NONE of the republicans give a crap about us.
I got max 26 weeks unemployment and it Exhasted on the 7th this month. I also got a letter saying I have Emergency unemployment of 18 weeks potential Euc. It says to just claim like normal. My question is do they keep sending money or does it cut off and has a delay then restarts. I am living off this money for I can’t find any work. If they cut me off I could be in real trouble.
Please Help…
Last what is this 1 tier 2 tier mean?
I just had 26 weeks is the 18 weeks 1st tier or 2nd?
Thanks
Prayer Answered
Enough votes passed the bill in Assembly yesterday. Any one know what to expect now?
I read that they are reading that in the assembly again today. There wasn’t any vote yesterday. Hopefully they will vote today. If it passes the assembly then it’s on to the senate
BAD NEW FOR UNEMPLOYED IN SOUTH CAROLINA: Unemployment in SC has hit 10.4%, the second highest in the nation. Governor Sanford has announced he will reject nearly a quarter of the Federal money under the stimulus act that would be headed to SC. “Several GOP governors, including Rick Perry of Texas, Bobby Jindal of Louisiana and Haley Barbour of Mississippi, have said they would reject a portion of the money that would expand unemployment benefits to those not currently eligible to receive them. Sanford says he will also reject those funds but has threatened to go much further, requesting a waiver to spend some $700 million targeted for education and other programs to pay down some of the state’s debt instead.” Google “SC Gov. Sanford set to reject stimulus millions” for full story. I’m in Ohio. We have a Democrat governor and Democrat controlled legislature (both houses). Hopefully, those in charge in Columbus, Ohio will not reject any of the money. I always vote Republican, but I’m beginning to wonder what’s wrong with them! Unemployed in SC need to contact their governor and state representatives.
Richard, If it passes the Assembly, which I believe it has a chance of doing. How do we figure out the names of the people who will be voting in the Senate?
Does anyone know if there is any legislation started to change to the TUR trigger in Ohio?
Hi Lorraine–I just googled California state senate members and the site came up. There are currently 24 democrats and 15 republicans..Gives you their names and links. I will start emailing or calling them tomorrow to find out where they stand. Good Luck to us all.
Hello all:
Any word if ABX3 23 is going to the California Assembly today and if it has passed today ? I have been looking all over on the net and no word yet. I read on some website that they may vote on it on Monday instead of voting today? Is that correct ?
Please advise us if anybody has any info that is current.
thanks
I looked in the minutes for today’s meeting. It doesn’t look as if they voted on it yet. Couldn’t get ahold of anyone in their office this afternoon and they are adjourned until Monday the 16th at 11:00 A.M.. There are 52 democrats and 28 republicans in the assembly. A 2/3 vote is required to pass. If all democrats voted yes then 1 or 2 republicans would have to vote for the bill.. Hopefully they are not all assholes. In the senate assuming the same thing we would need at least two republicans. Hopefully Arnie hs some friends we can count on. I guess we will pray and wait and se.
I just looked at the minutes from today’s assembly meeting. Doesn’t look like a vote took place and they are adjourned till Monday at 11:00 A.M.. There are 52 democrats and 28 republicans and a 2/3 majority is required to pass. Assuming all the democrats vote yes we would need 1 or 2 republicans to vote yes also. In the state senate there are 24 democrats and 15 republicans so we would need the same thing. Hopefully they are not all bastards. Lets hope Arnie has some buddys he can count on. We will just have to pray and wait and see.
thanks Richard for your help. Have a good one. Until Monday now.
FYI -
California Could Lose Billions for Jobless if Lawmakers Don’t Act Quickly (ARTICLE):
http://www.pww.org/article/articleview/14860/
So I’m on my last 4 weeks of tier 2 extended benefits. My Claim year expired 1-31-09 so I had to refile for a new claim in order to receive my extended benefits past the 52 weeks expiration date. I was told by the lady at EDD that I will receive a rejection notice which I did: Claim is invalid under section 1277 because I did not perform work during the the above period (no S$%t, I was unemployed). There was a box that said “This determination does not affect your claim for extended benefits” but it was NOT checked. Anyone else ran into this scenerio, and will that disqualify me if the tier 3 is passed?
Rick-I was told the same but was told just to ignore the letter. Computer generated. It meant we weren’t eligible for state benefits because we hadn’t worked in a year–so we had to go back on federal extensions. My benefits started back up and I got check and new claim forms today
Re: Comment #498 – Jim, I’ve been in touch with the Ohio State Rep for our district in Cleveland. He didn’t know anything about the EB and TUR trigger in Ohio, but said he would look into it. I’ve not heard back yet. Also, I emailed Gov. Strickland about TUR trigger and Washington House Rep Dennis Kucinich about extending a Tier 3; still no answer from them. Jim, call/email the governor and Ohio senators and representatives; tell them the unemployed in Ohio need the TUR trigger passed immediately by legislation in Ohio. BY STATUTE IN OHIO, THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY HAS TO PASS THE TUR TRIGGER. IF THEY DON’T PASS THE LEGISLATION, WE WON’T GET THE EXTRA 13 WEEKS OF EB!!! I’m going to email and/or call every Ohio senator and rep in Columbus this week. Please do the same. You can find the Ohio contact info at http://www.legislature.state.oh.us/. (without the period) I will post a sample email on this website later today that you can use. Take care. Marie
Hello, Everyone! While the unemployed across the country are wondering what we’re supposed to do to survive, the insurance giant AIG (which received a 170 BILLION DOLLAR BAILOUT) is now going to pay its executives 165 MILLION IN BONUSES!!! If we don’t start calling and emailing Washington, we will have no one to blame but ourselves if we don’t get backdated COBRA coverage and a Tier 3 extension. I am going to start an online petition and will post link here once I have information on how to sign up.
Hi again, second question and regarding Marie’s remarks. I have been collecting euc benefits since last october, so i have exhauseted my 13, then the 7 and now I am on my last 7 weeks. Does anyone know if I am going to get EB benefits, the ohio unemployment website has a notice they passed for the extra weeks and 25.00 extra a week, and was going back to the end of Feb to dispurce the 25.00 extra a week, and I have not recieved any extra money? I am confused and I sound confused, can someone from ohio give some insight? thank you.
PLEASE SIGN ONLINE PETITION FOR TIER 3 UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS. I found an online petition (http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/3rdUIExtensionnow/)that will be forwarded to Washington, asking for another Federal Extension of Unemployment Benefits (Tier 3). If you want to read existing comments/signatures, click the “Signatures” link at the top of the page. There is also a link that you can use to email this petition to friends and family. If you want to leave a comment on the petition, please remember to be polite (no threats, no name-calling, no cursing, etc.). If you want to contact President Obama, go here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/CONTACT/ To contact your federal, state and local officials, go here: http://www.congress.org/congressorg/home/ There are over a half-million unemployed in our country. The sooner we act, the sooner our elected officials will act. WE MUST MAKE OUR VOICES HEARD, LOUD AND STRONG!! Sitting back and wringing our hands, crying “woe is me” won’t get the job done! Remember: The squeaky wheel gets the grease. The unemployed are a powerful voting block. It’s time that we take our power back and remind our elected officials that they are “elected”…not appointed for life! Washington has given billions upon billions in bailouts, while ignoring those of us who have worked hard all our lives only to be left with nothing. LET’S UNITE AND REMIND OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT WE ARE NOT GOING AWAY.
Re: #508. Hi, Jamie. Good to hear from another Ohio person. Hope you are doing well under the circumstances. I have not been to the Ohio Unemployment website for a couple of days. I will check it out and post here and hopefully answer your questions. I’ll be back in about an hour. Where in Ohio are you? I am in N.E. Ohio. Jobs are hard to find, especially if you are over 60.
CA, the Unemployment bill ABX3 23 is scheduled to go to the Assembly floor on Monday, and is scheduled ( if passed ) to go to the Senate Tuesday.
There is much discussion going on regarding this issue for CA as well as other states at the OpenCongress.org web site. We are all working hard contacting our Assembly people to push for this bill to pass.
You all can join us here…
http://www.opencongress.org/bill/110-h6867/comments/1550?navtab=comments#comments
( We are getting info for other states besides CA)
POSSIBLE JOBS ACROSS THE COUNTRY
Read this article. Maybe you’ll find a job! Not limited to just Ohio.
http://www.daytondailynews.com/n/content/shared-gen/ap/Finance_General/Help_Wanted.html?cxntlid=inform_sr
Go to this link http://jfs.ohio.gov/ocomm_root/Ext%20Benefits%20FAQ%202008REV.pdf which will explain how Ohio State Unemployment is paid, along with the two 2008 Federal Extensions (Tier 1 and Tier 2). Under the 2009 Obama Recover Plan, the application date for the 2008 Federal Tier 1 has been extended, so be sure to read the last paragraph on page two.
If anyone is currently on the 26 weeks of State unemployment (NOT yet the Tier 1 or Tier 2 Federal extensions) Ohio Unemployment will advise you when you are eligible to sign up for the Federal extensions. If you are filing online, you will get an email notice or check your unemployment website online inbox. If you are filing by phone, be sure to carefully read each payment receipt you get for any new instructions.
In a nutshell, in Ohio you are eligible for up to 26 weeks State unemployment (maximum, depending upon how long you were employed and how much you earned before unemployed) and then the Tier 1 and then Tier 2, for a total of 59 weeks.
After the 59 weeks, that’s all we get in Ohio unless the State General Assembly passes legislation to allow the Federal EB (emergency benefits)under the Obama Recovery Plan. In Ohio, the EB would be an additional 13 weeks AFTER all State, Tier 1 and Tier 2 benefits have been totally exhausted (paid to you). To my knowledge, Ohio has not yet passed this legislation. If someone has heard otherwise, please post here with the link.
The $25 extra per week under the Obama plan will be paid automatically in Ohio to ALL who are CURRENTLY collecting unemployment; you don’t have to file for it. The extra $25 will be backdated to either the second to last or last week in Feb. (I’m not sure which.) NOTE: Once all your unemployment benefits expire, that will end the $25/per week extra. And if you went off unemployment just before the $25 February payout date, you won’t get it either.
If you are filing for unemployment in Ohio and if you can do it, file everything online and have your benefits deposited directly to your checking account. There is an option in Ohio to get benefits paid by debit card, but some banks will charge you a fee to use the debit card at an ATM!! Please, don’t pay a bank fee from the few dollars you get from unemployment!!
LAST BUT NOT LEAST, DON’T FORGET THAT IN OHIO UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS ARE CONSIDERED TAXABLE INCOME. The Ohio Unemployment Bureau will deduct Federal withholding taxes, if you ask them, but they DO NOT DEDUCT STATE WITHHOLDING TAXES. So you will have to pay State income tax on your unemployment benefits either by making estimated quarterly payments, or at the end of the year when you file your 2009 tax return. If you don’t make quarterly estimated payments, you may end up owing penalties and interest when you file in 2009. For more information, go to the Ohio Department of Taxation website. Download Ohio 2009 form IT1040ES.
Hope the above info helps.
IMPORTANT ONLINE PETITIONS YOU CAN SIGN.
To the Feds, asking for additional Tier 3 unemployment benefits:
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/3rdUIExtensionnow/index.html
To the Feds, asking that the COBRA provision in the Stimulus Bill be reformed:
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/cobrareform/
You can sign with your name or anonymously, and you can leave a comment. After you sign, a window will open asking for a donation to the iPetition website. YOU DON’T HAVE TO MAKE ONE FOR YOUR SIGNATURE & COMMENT TO APPEAR. Just click the window closed.
Marie, I am from southwest ohio. And yes jobs are very hard to find around here, I have even been looking about an hour or more for commute for work and no luck. But I guess all this is a waiting game. Thanks for the info, and I check on ohio. gov too, for updates.
My questions are for anyone who has collected the EUC08. Especially in KS.
My regular benefits run out on Tuesday. I filled out the paperwork and returned it almost 2 weeks ago for the extension. When will it show up on my account, or does it? And will I have to re-file for the 13 week extension after the 7 week has run out? And do they automatically send out that form if they figure you’re eligible as they did the last one???? I’m confused and VERY panicked.
Ok, im getting NO WHERE in Illinois. No word on anything. Im am just about out of my 2nd tier (59 weeks) and no job still. I have googled until I cant google anymore and am finding nothing. Does anyone know if Illinois has or will be passing the 3rd tier. I have NEVER EVER had a problem getting a job. Last time I applied for a job I applied for 2 and got both, then had to pick one. Now getting even a job at McDOnalds is impossible. UGH
There is no Tier 3 extension of unemployment benefits for anyone because the Feds have NOT passed any Tier 3. In 2008 there was Tier 1 and Tier 2, both of which kicked in only after your State’s regular unemployment payment were exhausted. Each State has different requirements for applying for the Tier 1 and Tier 2 Extended Unemployment Benefits. Under the Obama Recovery Plan, the time period to apply for the Federal extensions has been extended through 2009. Right now (especially for those of us who are facing the end of their Tier 2 extensions in March and April) we are waiting to see if the States with high unemployment will “trigger on” for the additional Emergency Benefits that were passed by Federal legislation in 1970 and are included under the Obama Recovery Plan. NOT ALL STATES WILL BE ELIGIBLE. ONLY THOSE WITH EXCEPTIONALLY HIGH UNEMPLOYMENT RATES. IN THE STATES THAT QUALIFY, SOME WILL ONLY RECEIVE 13 WEEKS; OTHERS 20. Go here and download the info http://www.nelp.org/page/-/UI/extended.benefits.feb.09.pdf?nocdn=1
Mary, do a Google under Kansas Extended Unemployment Benefits. Lots of info for you.
Marie-Ohio,
Thank you , but I have done the search, and read oodles and oodles of pages of hits. None of which answer the questions I have put here.
Mary-Kansas
Hello CA and other state
Here are a few places you can go to write for a third congressional extension of unemployment
House Members
http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW.shtml
Congress Members
http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm
The first thing I saw this morning on CNN and Fox News, were people organizing and protesting against the stimulus bill, in different parts of the country. It seems large groups are putting pressure on their reps to not take the stimulus money. Because of this, I think it is even more important that we put pressure on Calif to accept this stimulus. Since the voting happens today and tomorrow in Ca, please contact your reps NOW.
Go to ipetitions.com and search under the title “Third Federal Unemployment Extension”. The 25.00 increase is the least of our problems. Anyone on the second federal extension will exhaust benefits in the next few weeks and were excluded from additional benefits. This will leave a million plus people without any source of income. They cannot pay their rent or feed their families. Everyone should have been included in the Obama Recovery Act. All it did was extend the time for people to apply for the second extension. Nothing more. Jobs are disappearing not being replenished. We did not choose unemployment, it chose us. Everyone is seeking work regardless of what it pays. Sign the petition! It applies to every person in every state and will be going to the U.S. Senate at the end of the month. We need signatures. Pass it onto everyone you know. Lets bring change about now
California – Unemployment bill ABX3 23 is scheduled to go to the Assembly floor today (Monday).
Any word if it passed the Assembly floor yet? When it passes please can somebody posted on here. (crossing fingers that it will pass).
Thank you.
Okay I’m so tired of researching, writing emails, writing letters…etc. I know you’re busy Arnold what with the movie you’re going to be making and all…I’m sorry I wasted your time with my emails and letters, but a reply from you at least acknowledging them might be nice! My 3 kids would like to know they will be able to eat next month when my unemployment extension runs out. Hey maybe you could give me a job on the set of your new movie!! I wish there was an unemployment extension for dummies website we could all go on so I didn’t have to try to make out all the different information out there…Oh wait did the bill pass, oh wait it did, oh it still has to go through that, did they vote yet…Wait did it pass? Ugh!! I’m TIRED!! Ok, I’m off my pitypot now…Sorry everyone!!
Tracy……its OK…..I think we all relate. I know I have my moments, also, and their coming more frequently. Its extrmely frustrating trying to deal with all these entities and trying to juggle bills at the same time. Hang in there, kiddo.
CA, the Assembly has not voted yet for ABX3 23. They are in recess and won’t be back until 3 pm. Hopefully we will know if it passed “soon”!
thanks Dale, please keep us posted.
CA, you can watch the vote live at
http://www.calchannel.com
Assembly floor is now in session!
The live broadcast of the Assembly is ongoing live here!
http://www.calchannel.com/channel/live/3
Don’t worry if the sound cuts out, it will do that now and again…
CA, if anyone would like to watch the Assembly Bill vote, calchannel.com has a live feed of the Assembly on right now. Currently the Democrats and Republicans are in caucus re: ABX3 23 and hopefully will be out soon. It’s the 3pm Assembly Floor Session
Dale…I have been watching. Here is the link:
http://www.calchannel.com/channel/live/3
The Ayes have it! Thank you!
So ABX3 23 goes to the Senate now. Duvall was a jerk. My reps, Harkey & Garrick did not vote. Wonder if it was my calls to their offices. LOL….anyway, lets continue to work toward final passage of this bill.
Here is the link for the live sessions that Dale mentioned.
http://www.calchannel.com/channel/live/3
CA, 52 to 10 in favor! Now to the Senate!
Thanks Dale for that info .I watched it but lost audio right after Coto closed the roll call. It looks like it passed to me but what about the 18 who didn’t vote. Whats your read?
I just talked to Coto’s office. The bill is “On Call” they need more votes to pass the bill but with 52 more votes needed to pass I think this is a shoe-in! Hang in there CA!
I get it–all 52 democrats voted for it 10 republicans voted against it and the 18 republicans who didn’t vote for it actually allowed it to pass without giving it an aye vote.
CORRECTION! We only need 2 more votes.
Dale=they got 52 votes–how many more do they need? u said 52 more??? There aren’t 52 votes left. Do they only need 2 more votes?
If the roll call was closed then how are they going to get 2 more votes..Do you think its just a matter of changing some of the language as the minority leader was suggesting?
Yes, they are going to have to have more votes since they need a 2/3 majority, so they will get those who haven’t voted to do so. If there are any language changes in the bill they will be done in the Senate.
I just spoke to Joe Coto’s office myself. The lady there thought that there is a possibility that the minority leader wants to split the bill and send the part that gives us the 20 week extension so we wont run out of benefits on April 12 for immediate passage. Then they would work out the rest of the language on the eligibility side of the bill so they could pass it and send it on. She sounded pretty confident that this could get done. We get to wait a few more days
Thanks Richard! I’m gonna get some dinner (and a beer) I need it after today!
Looks like a Republican caucus is starting again. Hope this is over soon!
CA Republicans $uck! The bill failed because the idiots don’t want to upset their business buddies who may have to pay higher unemployment taxes. BS! Looks like a few Republicans are going to be out of jobs come next election time!
Does this mean all hope is gone? Can EB still help out the long term unemployed here in California ?
Still Alive—Read Dales post 534 and my 540–Pass or not I will not be voting for republicans who vote against this bill. Like Dale said in 542 they care more about their business buddies than us. But, listening to the minority leader tonite it sounded like he thought some republicans could vote for this bill or it might just all have been BS on his part Tonite 10 republicans voted against the bill and the other 18 withheld their vote..We need two of those to switch. I faxed Arnie a letter today and asked or begged him to convince some of them.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/03/16/financial/f203235D17.DTL
Just Lovely…I’d like to see these assholes out of a job so they know how it feels.
Just Lovely:
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2009/03/16/financial/f203235D17.DTL
never voting for these ba$tards again
CALIFORNIA ASSEMBLY DEFEATS BILL TO EXTEND EMPLOYMENT BENEFITS:
http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-unemploy17-2009mar17,0,6674319.story
COULD SOME ONE OUT THERE, ANSWER MY QUESTION. I WAS LAYED OFF OF MY JOB . LAST YEAR OF MARCH. 1 2008, I WENT TRU- THE FIRST CYCLE OF THE UNEMPLOYMENT WHICH WAS 18 WEEK , THAN 9 WEEK , THAN 9 WEEKS AGAIN, THAN IT STOPED FOR ALMOST 4 MONTH. THAN PRESIDENT BUSH SIGN THE BILLS FOR AN EMERGENCY UMEMPLOYMENT FOR 18 MORE WEEKS. DID THEY AGREE ON A THIRD ONE . I HOPE SO BECAUSE , I GO OUT EVERYDAY LOOKING FOR A JOB. EVEN ON RAINY DAYS THINKING THAT I WILL HAVE A GOOD CHANCE ON FINDING SOMETHING BECAUSE MOST PEOPLE DON`T LIKE GOING OUT IN THE RAIN . BUT STILL NO LUCK I`AM SO GLAD WE HAVE THIS WEB SITE, SO EVERYBOBY CAN VOICE THIER OPINION. MAY GOD HELP US ALL . BUT IT IS SO FUNNY HOW THE GOV. WANT TO HELP EVEYBORY ELES IN NOT THE TAX PAYERS I HAVE WORKED ALL MY LIFE SINCE I WAS 16, MY LAST JOB I WAS THERE FOR 6 YEARS, AND NOW I HAVE TO DEPENED ON UNEMPLOYENT , WHICH I DON`T GET MUCH FROM THEM BUT EVERY PENNY HELPS WHEN YOU DON`T HAVE NOTHING.
Are you all serious. This was defeated? I went to bed last night thinking it was going on to the Seanate and everything was OK. I watched it yesterday on the Webcast and Duvall was the biggest jerk. I am going to call his office this morning and give him a piece of my mind.
You guys are right. I just read some of your links. This will be a disaster for some of us, if not all. Dale, your right….Calif Republicans suck!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Big time!!!!!!!!!!
Those voting against ABX3 23:
Joel Anderson
Mike Duvall
Chuck DeVore
Bill Emmerson
Ted Gaines
Curt Hagman
Steve Knight
Dan Logue
Jim Silva
Mike Villines
Those who did not vote:
Anthony Adams
Bill Berryhill
Tom Berryhill
Sam Blakeslee
Connie Conway
Paul Cook
Nathan Fletcher
Jean Fuller
Martin Garrick
Diane Harkey
Jeff Miller
Kevin Jeffries
Van Tran
Jim Nielsen
Brian Nestande
Audra Strickland
Roger Niello
Cameron Smyth
I just spoke to a representative at the Michigan UIA. I have exhausted my initial unemployment claim which was 22 weeks, the first extension which was 13 weeks, and my final extension which was for 11 weeks and I get my last check next week. I have been reading online, and wanted to be clear on the newest extension, which for Michigan I read we would get extended benefits through December of this year. When I called the Michigan UIA, I was told I do not qualify for the newest extension because my ORIGINAL claim expired Jan 11th, and in order to qualify it needs to expire after Jan 31st!! Even though I am still on the extension (Until next week) I don’t qualify because that is an extension and not the ACTUAL claim.
I was also told that “I didn’t make enough money to file a new claim”. UH, NO, I imagine I didn’t, since I HAVEN’T WORKED IN A YEAR.
For my LAST extension, I was told I had to try to file a new claim with the state,and get denied in order to get approved for the Federal EUC…Even though I HAVE NOT WORKED IN A YEAR. So I did that, got turned down by the state and got the Federal EUC. NOW BECAUSE MY CLAIM IS TWO WEEKS SHY OF THE CUT OFF DATE TO QUALIFY FOR THE EB, I WILL GET NOTHING. : ( I am so frustrated, I will be writing congress, thanks to the info Jon From MI listed (Thanks Jon).
I’m 32, I don’t have a degree,But I have always worked and made a decent living.
I am a divorced single mother…Lost my home, my car…I am living with someone else…
I have worked since I was 14 YEARS OLD. I am not a lazy person. I CANNOT FIND WORK. I used to make a good living for myself.
I am hoping that the requirements will change so that I will qualify for the EB. But I highly doubt it.
What the H—?? I’m so sick right now! Unbelievable!!
What the heck are we supposed to do? Is there anything we can do? Is the bill completely dead???
Dale, have you been able to get a hold of anyone at Coto’s office for comment? I only get recordings.
Sorry…looks like it was Richard who got a hold of someone from Coto’s office, not Dale.
Richard, Any word? Can you get a hold of anyone???
I want to stage a protest right in front of Duvall’s office in Brea. Anyone with me?
210 West Birch Street, Suite 202
Brea, CA 92821
I will try right away. I am just as sick as the rest of you. It is hard to believe that not one republican voted for this thing. Thats all it needed–one more stinking vote. I really don’t think the issue is dead yet, but not one of those bastards deserves to remain in office
I would love to join you but I’m too far away plus I don’t have any gas money…(surprise!!) I’ve started emailing all the idiots who voted against the bill…Not that it will do any good.
I just talked to a lady in Coto’s office and she said that they are attempting to find out what wording they need to change to get some support from a few republicans. She said it is not dead. It will be brought back up. THEY ARE STILL BASTARDS!!
You guys are all great…really. I called Duvall and Villines offices this morning, as they were the most vocal against it yesterday while I was watching the WEBCAST. In addition, I called my reps Garrick and Harkey, as they did not vote at all. Voiced my extreme displeasure(thats putting it mildly)to all of them. I am open to any ideas for protesting…just keep posting.
My new moto is “Death to the Republicans”…which is sad since I used to be one.
I just talked to Coto’s office, also. Was told it might go back on the floor this Thursday. There trying to figure out whether to reword the bill or try to pass it again, with the original wording.
The republicans said on every stinking article that I read, that the only thing they disagreed with on the bill, was the fact that CA would have to extend unemployment benefits to seasonal workers, and employers would then have to pay higher taxes. In the same articles, it also states, that the republicans didn’t “feel comfortable” voting for a bill that they didn’t have time to “read” and that it was being passed through too quickly. They really need to make up their freaking minds. Which is it….did they read it or not? And how much time do they require to read the bill??? It seems that Democrats can read faster than Republicans. What BS!!!
I would really love to stage a protest…I’ve never done one before…but I’m really freaking pissed. I’m seriously going to check into it. They s/b in front of the offices of the damn spinless Republicans. You guys should really check out Duvall’s site. He has the letter of recomendation from the GOP for always voting “republican”. He can’t vote for this bill…he’ll loose is “good standing”. BASTARDS!!!!
Quick…get the Republicans a tutor so they can read the damn bill when they send it back through.
Leader of Rep Caucus:
http://www.mikevillines.org/about-mike-villines.html
Just talked to Duvall’s office in Sacramento. Was told he voted against it because “it would hurt small business in Calif.” They seem to be taking a hard-nose stance…just my impression.
Hi again everyone has anybody heard or knows anything thats going on in kentucky if there is a tier 3? Thanks again….
CA, ABX3 23 has been revised and should be going to the Assembly floor again Thursday. Here is a link to the revised bill.
http://www.aroundthecapitol.com/billtrack/text.html?file=abx3_23_bill_20090316_amended_asm_v96.html
In the meantime EVERYONE of us in CA NEEDS to contact our Republican Assembly members to get their support! We did have 2 crossover votes with Blakeslee and Gilmore, but we need more on the Democrats side!
CA – I dont even know what to say or to think now since this bill didn’t pass. I am really scared now the state has gone to hell. I am about to be homeless unless this bill passes soon. And, I mean really soon.
We are going to fall in the hole deep and nobody will every find us. We are going to be just a lost number.
And our own government won’t help us at home but will help others in other countries with billions of $$. What is wrong with America. WE NEED ACTION “NOW” ! ! We must do a recall for those GOP and those who voted against this bill.
I am so sick of this bs game ! !
Anyone in Florida who is aware of what is happening here? If so, please let me know. I’ve been waiting for news to see if they will approve me for the last 13. My claim has stopped. I read that people have been extended 59 weeks. Your help would be greatly appreciated.
Seems the republicans have no Idea why they rejected the bill….
[i]A separate bill, SBX3 3, which would ease eligibility for unemployment, passed but not as urgency legislation. It was sent to the state Senate for action. An estimated 30,000 people would become eligible for jobless benefits under the second bill.[/i]
So, the seasonal and partimers will still get eligibility, looks like they are just against the people caught by the first wave of layoffs.
Crooks. I’m glad 72 british citizens received $1,000,000 each from our government though as a BONUS for doing such a good job destroying the US economy…WOW. I am afraid that riots will be here soon.
OK…I’ve started my own blog on this subject. It’s titled “California Extended Unemployment Benefits”. I would really love it if all the Californians could start using this blog in addition to Robins.
http://californiaunemployment.blogspot.com/
The reason I’ve decided to do this, is because I’ve found that it’s a good way to group people together from our state and that way maybe we really can stage some sort of rally or protest. I’m sick of this crap and I’m not just going to sit back and take it.
If anyone from any other state wants to take the initiative and start their own blog, they can at http://www.blogger.com. I would encourage everyone to stand up and fight. Do not let them destroy our lives. Things are already bad enough.
OK…I’ve started my own blog on this subject. It’s titled “California Extended Unemployment Benefits”. I would really love it if all the Californians could start using this blog in addition to Alison’s.
http://californiaunemployment.blogspot.com/
The reason I’ve decided to do this, is because I’ve found that it’s a good way to group people together from our state and that way maybe we really can stage some sort of rally or protest. I’m sick of this crap and I’m not just going to sit back and take it.
If anyone from any other state wants to take the initiative and start their own blog, they can at http://www.blogger.com. I would encourage everyone to stand up and fight. Do not let them destroy our lives. Things are already bad enough.
Well, I posted something earlier today and it did not go through. Maybe because I had a link in it. Anyway, Coto’s office IS STILL trying to get this bill passed! Coto has filed a motion for reconsideration and hopefully will be taken up on Thursday! Do NOT give up hope! We in CA need to contact our Assembly people, escpecially Republicans, to ask that they reconsider this bill. BTW, 2 Republicans, Gilmore and Blakeslee voted FOR this, so I am hopeful that they are able to sway other Republicans to our side!
Dale…you are correct. Gilmore and Blakeslee did vote YES. They were the only republicans who did. I called many assembly people today expressing my views. Again, it was Duvall and Villines offices that were very hard-nosed and seemingly uncaring.
TROUBLE IN MICHIGAN!
THE PAST WEEK HAS BEEN A NIGHTMARE.
For all those with 2007 claims beaware that we need to reapply for a new claim and be denied. Then you will be accepted for EB.
Also beware everyone down at UIA will say one or another story. EBs are handled by other case workers and you never get to talk to them directly.
Two weeks ago I was told I was quiflied for EBs. Then told I wasn’t, I got a notice saying I will get a application, but none ever arrived. So I kept calling, even got a copy of a generic form saying I would not get EB in hand written. Then today I got a new claim saying I was denied. Which I knew I would because I did go back to work for several months. But Then I got another later saying I got EB and it was more confusing.
Spent the day on the telephone and computer. I did MARVIN today online, EB claims in Michigan must have 3 work contacts each week and log them in the UIA Submit Contact in your index. Actual paper forms can be requested Form 1583 Michigan Works may have those soon.
Much confusion is happening now, The computer system is also having problems paying 2007 claims, I.T. is working on it now,I was told be patient I will get my money, maybe not until next week, others are in the same position.
But if in Michigan, don’t give up without a fight. If I did I would have not gotten anything. I called the State Representative and the Governors office last week. So we need to stand together and don’t give up!
We sure hope change happens.
Listening to all you folks in California, You still have no clue. The folks in Michigan has had a 6-7 percent unemployment since 2007 and is now well over 11.9 percent not counting all the EUC and EB unemployed. Try being homeless in Michigan. Where it get below zero every night during the winter. The rest of the nation just now catching up to us.
The cheap imports and shipping America Jobs overseas plays a importance part, our economy is depended upon each other. The Banking System and Morgage Company kept sending you stuff to remorgage your home, our credit card companies kept giving you more credit! On Wall Street those Bankers kept selling those morgages over and over again. The system had to collapse.
The worst is yet to come, even if the stimilate package works, our government has no answer to hyper inflation that will spin us back down and make our money worthless. China has been saying in clear english for the past year to get our financial house in order! We didn’t listen. They lost money here to on Wall Street. If you lost money on Wall Street would you rush out and gamble more? Hell No!
The next business is we hear and see more and more homeless everyday. What need to be done. Welfare in America doesn’t help single people beside food stamps. It doesn’t make sense, because single people are taxed more and helped less? The system doen’t them.
I see more and more homeless people in America in the next year! We need to fix the system to protect everyone equally and need to fight for a fourth teir because unemployment will not go down until at least later this year if we believe the government, does anybody believe it?
Its truly up to each of you to contact your representatives, putting it off will only hurt all of us. Government wants to slowly push us off the cliff person by person! If we stand together we have numbers on our side!
Contact your government all of the state and congress and senate are on these sites, Pass them on to others. We are all at risk here and the dream we had to build a future for our children.
stopthehouse.com
stopthesenate.com
ANYBODY IN FL KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT A 3RD EXTENSION. PLZ LET ME KNOW SOMETHING TY.
I am really glad I found this site tonight. I have been unemployed since July, found a full time job for three weeks, then lost that because they weren’t busy enough. Temped for a month, and then nothing. My State Claim ends the first week in April. I am so confused on the process. I am told I have to wait until my claim balance is 0 before I can file for the federal extension. Those of you have been through the process, do you know how it works? How long does it take before you get a check? What is the exact process? If I don’t get a check by May 1st, I am going to loss everything. EDD in California, never gives you a straight answer. All I want to know is am going to get the extension, how long it will take to get a check, am I going to have to do a stinkin phone interview.
People who arn’t in our shoes have no idea, no idea that this not just collecting a check. Finding a job, and keeping up with the EDD is a full time stressful job.
So this bill that didn’t pass, this was for extension beyond the 13, 7, and 13? Right? I am so confused will all this lingo. I was talking my friend tonight about one month of checks was one paycheck before. I think if the goverment can give money to banks why can’t they give us more money in our checks, and give us tax breaks too? Arnie better not spend the stimulus money on the budget. The one thing I have is hope right now, and no one can take that away from me.
There is a joint committee meeting today regarding EB from ARRA 2009. Please attend in either Carson City or Las Vegas at 555 E Washington in the room shown below to show your support to override Governor Gibbons’ non-acceptance of funds:
03/18/09
8:00 AM Assembly Ways and Means Joint Meeting
Room 4100 of the Legislative Building, 401 S. Carson St., Carson City, NV.
Video Conferenced to 4412E of the Grant Sawyer State Office Building, 555 E. Washington Ave., Las Vegas, NV.
Bills to be heard: AB469 ACR17 .
Joint Meeting AGENDA 1
Both of these bills are on the subject of unemployment and job training programs. I am sorry for the late advisement, but I just found out about the meeting last night from a member of the Nevada Legislative Councel Bureau who has been helping me untangle all of this.
Here is a link to the legislature and the agenda for this meeting. Sroll down to Senate Finance Joint Meeting on 3/18/09 at 8:00 A.M. You can follow links to the agenda and then to the actual bills. I spoke to someone at DETR who is in charge of programming and she was unaware of this legislation as of yesterday. She knows we are getting 13 weeks of EB, and a $25.00 increase but not everybody will be eligible. The passage of these bills will help!!!
If you can’t attend this meeting you can go to the home page of the Nevada Legislature and watch it live on your computer. I will comment or testify if they allow me. Please try to attend even if you are late. The meetings seem to typically start about 1/2 hour after the posted time.
To Jon in Michigan,
As alsways thank you. I would never have gotten this involved if it weren’t for you.
http://www.leg.state.nv.us/75th2009/Interim/scheduler/?CFID=2196698&CFTOKEN=33876693
This is the link I mentioned above. Sorry, I forgot to paste.
Hi Mara–you qualify for those first few extensions..The first extension I had to wait until the last check was issued for the 26 weeks and then the other 2 extensions were automatic. So file as online as soon as that last check is issued. That will cause a few week break before you start getting checks and claim forms again.
ATTENTION ALL KANSAS RESIDENTS
______________________________________________
After much searching about a 3rd extension and not having any luck, I decided to email the Governor’s Office in Topeka.
Suprised, I did get a response back from her office and she said there will not be a 3rd extension and said that the decision was made by the Kansas Secretary of Labor.
She would not go into detail about it, but just kept her response short. Typical politician, so if you have hoping for a 3rd one it’s not going to happen.
Well I guess it’s time to give my landlord notice and prepare to be homeless. I guess I need to make my will out also because I’m not going to survive on the streets.
Do you think we should forward this comment page to our reps in Sacramento?
CA, we still have a chance. According to Manny Hernandez from Coto’s office, the Assembly is scheduled to hear the bill again this coming Monday. They are doing everything they can to make sure that this bill gets passed.
He is cautiously optimistic that it will do so, but we still need to contact, by phone or email, the Republican Assembly members, in particular Adams, B.Berryhill, T.Berryhill, Conway, Cook, Emmerson, Fletcher, Fuller, Harkey, Jeffries, Knight, Nestande, Niello, Nielsen, Smyth, A.Strickland, Tran and Villines as these abstained from voting.
We should also be able to watch the proceeds from calchannel.com
Good luck to all of us!
I’ll call them all today…hopefully they have beating hearts in their chests.
CA – well now finally Monday is the big day for us here in California to have this bill passed.
If I am correct when the bill passes then it goes to the Senate next maybe on Tuesday ?
Question: Is there a tv channel that we can view it rather than the internet? For example, what cable channel if it is shown on tv would it be on cable tv for Time Warner.
That’s that cable company that my friend has.
Is there a cable channel with Time Warner for the Assembly and one for the Senate for the state of CA. ?
You know I was just thinking what a team we are here on the site. Why can&