Unemployment Extension 2010: Anger At Slowness Of Gov Checks
By Donald Griffith on August 9, 2010, 1:14 pmOn July 22nd, President Barack Obama signed legislation affecting over 2 million unemployed Americans. Although not providing the additional $25 for COBRA, the legislation extended unemployment benefits through November and provided for benefits to be paid retroactively. Despite passing into law two weeks ago, many unemployed Americans who qualify for this extension has not received their checks and are angry.
What Caused The Problem
Many workers who have found themselves unemployed through no fault of their own qualify have exhausted their unemployment benefits. Regular unemployment benefits last for 26 weeks. Benefits are then extended in Tiers as needed. Tier 1 lasts up to 20 weeks. Tier 2 lasts up to 14 weeks. Benefits at tier 3 last 13 weeks provided the state has an unemployment rate of at least 6%. Benefits for Tier 4 last 6 weeks in states with at least 8.5% unemployment rate.
Many Americans who used up their benefits at all tier levels have still found themselves without work. Despite the approval of tier 4 many unemployed Americans are still waiting for their checks. The reasons for this vary from state to state.
What Can Be Done
There is a possibility that a new tier 5 level of benefits will be approved. Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow has introduced the Americans Want to Work Act. The bill was cosponsored by nine other democratic senators. Unemployed Americans in states with an unemployment rate of at least 7.5% would qualify. This bill takes aim at a group of Americans called the 99ers who have exhausted all benefits and are still unemployed. In the meantime, states are working overtime to process claims and send out benefit checks.
Related posts:
- Senate Unemployment Extension Bill: How Soon Will I Get My Check
- Unemployment Extension Bill Adds 2M More To Those Without Healthcare
- Unemployment Extension: Tier V Debate May Rage Into Lame-Duck Session
- Is Unemployment Extension Tier 5 Even A Possibility At This Point
- Will Congress Pass Unemployment Benefits Or Are They Playing The Game
I’m still waiting here in Florida, no check, their phone lines are overflowed with calls since 7am I been hearing the same message ” call back later “. This is a joke to them.
People who are unable to find work and who have already lost our home and vehicle should come before the senate votes to pass a bill to pay for their re elections!!! Suffering Americans before them! We make nothing with no work and lost so much while these idiots make almost 200,000 a year and want US to pay for their campaigns…get your damn priorities straight!
I collected unemployment for a few months after working since the age of 15, I am now 27. I have not received a check in over 1 month. I lost my rental, had to turn in my tag because of no money to pay for auto insurance, and I had to give my kids to my mother! Does anyone know when the checks will start to flow in again? we are going on two months since the bill was passed. Has anyone received a check yet?
I’ve been waiting patiently for the retroactive checks to be issued.Apparently there are a lot of people in the same boat.
Still waiting in NJ…
They need to hire more employees to answer the phones at a time like this. I will be posting this info on americasunemployed.blogspot.com
Please pay us a visit.
I LIVE IN A SMALL TOWN. I’M ABOUT TO LOSE EVERYTHING. WHAT’S TAKING SO LONG FOR THE CHECKS TO ARRIVE………SOMEIMES I THINK THE GOVERMENT DON’T GIVE A DAMN.
Still waiting in NC….
I have recieved 2 checks. I am in Ca.
Anyone in NJ receive ANYTHING???
Any news in NC yet???
Nothing in NC yet!
Im in MS and was informed that I am a 99er. So…I guess I’m screwed either way.
Sara..they are trying to pass a new exstension for the 99ers. I hope it works out. All we can do is be patient unfortunetly. Has anyone in NC recieved a check yet???
waiting for retroactive checks from nj. everytime i call they tell me that my claim has been emailed to adjustment office and i just need to wait. they’ve been telling me this for 5 weeks now. apparently it’s no big deal to have gone without a single check for almost 3 months.
Well kids i have resorted to the early days of spreading them for cash , and i am surviving quite well. Better that my 9-5 job for years.