Unemployment Extension: Gov. Teaching Americans To Stay Unemployed
By Audrey Howard on March 14, 2010, 9:13 amThe Senate recently passed a bill that would extend for current unemployment extension plan, providing an additional 13-20 weeks for those currently living on unemployment. Though unemployment extension will come as relief to the millions of Americans currently out of a job, will it exacerbate that nation’s economic problems? Is the unemployment extension teaching Americans to stay unemployed? Here are a few of the adverse effects of unemployment.
Increase In Employment
In a normal healthy economy, unemployment benefits last for 26 weeks, usually compensating for about 50-70% of a worker’s wages. In times of recession, like now, the federal government extends these benefits by 13 weeks, giving beneficiaries a total of 39 weeks to find new work. This is in strong contrast to the national average a person stays unemployed without the help of benefits, which is around 6 weeks during normal economic times and just over 8 weeks during a recession. By 2003, that number had raised to 10 weeks, a time when America was just coming out of a recession. Adversely, unemployment could encourage beneficiaries to delay finding a job in order keep receiving benefits. Rather than taking the first available job, workers may extend their search and increasing the unemployment rate, yet doesn’t improve the quality of jobs workers may receive.
High Cost For Little Growth
The cost to taxpayers for extending unemployment benefits through 2010 is estimated to be at $10 billion, yet there are serious questions as whether the economic benefits are worth the cost. For such a high cost, it is estimated that Extended Unemployment may increase the year’s GDP by 17 cents. Most studies are conclusive in the fact that unemployment has almost no effect on the type of jobs the unemployed acquire after unemployment, meaning workers are likely to have neither improvement or a decrease in their job satisfaction.
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The senate approved the 99 weeks of extensions, but not the law that provides it CRAZY…they are fooling around , dragging it out, keeping us on a string of hope. Just be patient, you will probably get it all. Sign up with NELP to get information and participate.
Well, as you can tell you have hit a nerve. Spend some time with the “Unemployed” and then right an article about that. Its not easy and its nothing we would wish on anyone!
Audrey – I think you may have made a mistake in this article. The “extension” that was passed did not add an additional 13-20 weeks of unemployment compensation – it merely pushed back the deadline for more recently unemployed to file for the federal benefits that are already in place.
That said – to everyone that has the mentality stated in this article – you too will be without a job if the government doesn’t continue the unemployment program. It will have a devastating impact on our economy & our communities. More homes in foreclosure, more car repos, bank taking losses on credit card debt, local business losing revenue. How will that affect you and your tidy little world when your bank closes, your local grocery store, dry cleaners, etc. go out of business – 6 house on your street borded up and abandoned? Would you like that better?
Wow, Audrey Howard (the author of this article), you really should research your topic before putting this trash on line. I don’t seem to be the only one who doesn’t like your article. I have only been out of work for six months, but definitely agree that Unemployment Insurance is necessary. I feel worse for the people who have been out there looking for a year or more. The situation is dire. Don’t believe what the talking heads in DC are saying about jobs – they simply are not there. As for the people who trash us that are on unemployment benefits, just remember – you could be next. Then maybe you will know what it is like to worry every day about your future. Also remember that there is no corporate loyalty – money talks. You are just a number that can be replaced – do not think you are anything different. Things can change overnight so be ready for that. Maybe a nice dose or reality will set you straight. For all for all of the people out there collecting UI, good luck to you. Don’t let the few lucky people who speak out of their ignorance get you down!
This is a typical Republican comment. If Bush had no deregulate the financial industry, the economy would not have hit rock bottom. The extension are NEEDED until more jobs become available. People in MI, CA and the other states where the unemployment rate is over 10% need a Tier 5 extension.
I’ve also been out of work for almost 2 yrs.
I don’t have too many weeks of unemployment left and I’m about to lose my home.
I find it hard to cope with the fact that people send our jobs to other countries and there are no consequences! This happened to me twice already. I also look everyday, on-line, newspaper and word of mouth.
What our towns and states MUST look into is Welfare. These people have to accept min. wage jobs. Half of them are not even from this country. But every disaster that happens the American government says”lets let them in”! My grandparents came here from Italy, learned “our” language and worked hard for a living never even looking for a hand out from the State; or should I say from us hard working people they would be embarrassed! Now it’s out turn to need help. WHERE IS IT???
I’ve also been out of work for almost 2 yrs.
I don’t have too many weeks of unemployment left and I’m about to lose my home.
I find it hard to cope with the fact that people send our jobs to other countries and there are no consequences! This happened to me twice already. I also look everyday, on-line, newspaper and word of mouth.
What our towns and states MUST look into is Welfare. These people have to accept min. wage jobs. Half of them are not even from this country. But every disaster that happens the American government says”lets let them in”! My grandparents came here from Italy, learned “our” language and worked hard for a living never even looking for a hand out from the State; They would be embarrasssed. We put into unemployment and it is due us. Now it’s our turn to need help. WHERE IS IT??
Our government needs to look into the Welfare system-10 families living in one house and all of them receiving Welfare? Fifteen yr olds having babies-we pay for them also; abortions? They get the best medical care we can pay for.
I believe in making one mistake after that they should have to fend for them selves. I’m tired of having to pay for everyone else-I’ve done my share-we all have and look where it’s got us!
And I’m sick of hearing Welfare doesn’t give you anything-bull! In my neighbor hood alone I have 3 families that have about 20 people livinng in one house-new SUV’s, several different names; 15 yr olds with babies and receiving welfare-so there must be something to it. These babies have gold earring, necklaces, ankle braclets-you name it and so do there mothers. Where’s that money coming from? Yep-The working class!
Someone better wake-up or we are going to be in worse trouble than we are now!
I too, have been searching for work for over 6 months. I have landed 2 interviews and was not hired. I recently moved to tier 1. Does this mean I will automatically move to tier 2 when the time comes? I have attempted numerous times to get a hold of somebody, but due to their heavy call volume, I have been unsuccessful.
COULD SOMEBODY PLEASE ANSWER MY QUESTION? THANK YOU!
I have looked for work continuously since I lost my job in Sept 2008. I get the interviews, but not the jobs so I guess I’m luckier then some. My unemployment runs out next month and then what? Since I’ve used every penny in my savings except $275 in my savings account I will be homeless if an extension does not happen. Everyday I go through the ads, I network, I have sent out countless resumes. I’ve been told many times that I’m overqualified including at McDonalds, Wendy’s etc. How can you be over qualified flipping burgers??
People.. I want a job so bad! I’m scared to death that I’m going to be evicted once I lose my unemployment. Then what?
So for those of you saying “we’re lazy”.. KISS MY GRITS! you live this life and we’ll see how you fair. I swear I’ve aged 10 years in the last 18 months worrying where the money is coming from to pay this bill, or to buy food the things that many others are taken for granted day in and day out.
i too apply at the fast food restaurants, even going as far as trying to apply at corner stores. do you believe that your job is secure right now? if so, you may need to change your beliefs. you cam lose your job tommorrow, and seek unemployment and be put in the same boat that we are all in. dont pass judgement, what you need to do is get to know some of the people recieving these benefits, then base your articles on FACTS and not ASSUMPTIONS. what if it where one of your children or close relatives, would you still be singing the same tune?
Your absolutely right the goverment is teaching Americans to be unemployed,by allowing Foreign countries to dump their crap here, thus eliminating any manufacturing jobs here. So we don’t buy Houses here we don’t buy cars here, and were starting to do without shopping for anything but food any more, Not to mention the absolutely stupid spending the goverment has done in the past 10 years. I certainly can’t blame Obama he came into office with this problem and he’s doing his best Allowing the insurance companies to rape us is crazy.Letting the oil companies and wall street rape us If you don’t want entitlement programs fine .Quit taking tax money from me and I’ll save for my own unemployment periods when I work. Quit charging for licence plates if you don’t want to fix the roads anymore and quit charging me property tax if you want to tell me what I can build and how I can live on my property and when to cut my grass. Personally I’ve had enough and am actively looking into moving to another country to live and work in. I don’t see things getting better here. I’ve done what I’ve been told to do for 50 years only to be let down by my goverment year after year.
I work for the unemployment division, and we see a LOT of people truly trying to find work and we know that there are a majority of people out there who are doing all they can to find SOME source of income other than unemployment. I personally applaud those individuals. I have found that the older generations (between 35-60+) are more diligently seeking employment. We have 18-20 year olds who call cussing because they want their extended benefits. Unfortunately the majority of people calling the unemployment office have no patience or understanding of how the system truly works, or the amount of work each person has to undertake in the unemployment offices. I personally can answer 100 calls in one day and out of them only 20 are calling not to fuss but to ask legitimate questions or need help. We understand the unemployed people are stressed and worried about where their next source of income is going to come from, but please understand that we too are severely overworked and after being cussed at numerous times in a day, we lose our patience as well. I have family on unemployment and am hoping that they pass the extended deadline for their sake. Note that there is ONLY 99 weeks of available benefits and the House/Senate have not passed any further Tiers or added any weeks to the existing extensions (EUC of 53wks and EB of 20wks).
The next Trillion we spend should go directly to China to pay them off then place terrifs on their goods to bring their prices to a level where we could build the same products here if we decide to, Make them compete based on quality and engineering. I worked as a Tool and Die maker for over 30 years, and I can’t even buy the steel to start working for the same price that they can build and ship their Dies here, Now how is that possable ? It’s by using deflated markets.
not everyone who qualifies for regular unemployment will qualify for any extension. you need to call your unemployment office. i dont get y so many people post blogs about what the rules are, Not Every State Has The Same Rules…go to the darn source, Ur Own States Unemployment Office. ONE MORE THING…there most definitely will be a tier 5, or whatever other name they stamp it with. its just that those in congress unfortunately have to play the game, and push through something here, and something there…if theyd tried to put a tier 5 through before extending the deadline for current benefits, or at the same time-then it would probably have failed, causing even more hardship. it will probably come into effect much like tier four did, at the last minute-or a bit late for many. its still on the way though. I DONT NEED UNEMPLOYMENT, THOUGH I SAY-GIVE THESE PEOPLE THAT CASH.
This article is an insult. I have been working since I was 15 and a half years old. I am now 36. I have collect unemployment 3 times in my life. This is the FIRST time I am using it to the very end of my 26 weeks. Which took me over 26 weeks to use because I “one of those the government teaches to be unemployed” will finally exhaust my original 26 weeks on April 4. Then you know what happens to me NOTHING. NO EMERGENCY BENEFITS, NO EXTENSION NOTHING. Not even the 13 emergency weeks because of missing a deadline by ONE day. And even better I am single so there is basically nothing available for me. So please make sure you check your math because there are a lot of AMerican like me who work as much as they can but still need unemployment, however if they work they lose out on extensions. Where’s the fairness in that? What is the government trying to teach me? You say unemployed I say it teaches “deception and only the extremely poor or the ultra elite are spared.” This economy and this system just blows right now for lack of a better word, but thanks to you and writers like you that just make it a little bit worse for those that are really trying. Pretty easy to pass judgement on the side of screen with keyborad attached.
Obviously this idiot has no clue what she is talking about. I went from a 65k a year steel job THAT I LOVE to having to survive on about 400 a week on unemployment THROUGH NO FAULT OF MY OWN. And as for “The cost to taxpayers for extending unemployment benefits”, UNEMPLOYMENT IS NOT LIKE WELFARE. We unemployed have paid into the Unemployment Insurance Fund (I personally have paid in for 22 years without a claim) so yes I think it is only fair that since unfair trade and labor agreements coupled with poor management both at Company and Government levels have cost me my job (along with millions of other jobs) that I be able to receive what little unemployment I actually get. Lets see how fast you apply for UI if/when YOU lose YOUR job…
While it is true that it is NECESSARY to create more jobs and get people back to work, it should not be at the expense of those that are battling with 5 other unemployed for that ONE position that is open (6 to 1 ratio). WHILE they are trying to increase the job options for the unemployed the ratio I just quoted has NOT changed, therefore the same conditions exist the 99th week as it did the 1st week. In other words it is not the desire of the majority if not all of the unemployed to continue to live substandardly (less than what they WERE use to) on an ‘indefinite’ basis. So that mindset is EXACTLY what can create the indifference to keeping pace with the reality that is besetting the unemployed, whether they are on their 1st week, their 50th week, OR their 99th week of benefits. UNTIL the ratio changes (6 unemployed for every 1 position open) the attitude and concern from Congress should also NOT be changing. Neither should OURS. The urgency for them to not abandon the unemployed is just as much a priority, as long as the economic conditions have not changed, as it was when the first extensions were considered.
Is this time (13-20 weeks) being added to the Tier 4 (currently 6 weeks). I haven;t been able to find any other information about this, on the web.
I run out of regular benifits on April 11. I am told that currently I have no extensions to be offered. Is this true?
The unemployed do not stimulate the economy. Those statistic that are conveniently thrown around by like minded UE are thier talking points and are more likely to end up on a bumper sticker. The potential for 99 weeks of checks is long enough…the ant more-checks crowd is starting to be heard from now. The ones cheerleading and begging for more payments have raised the visability on this issue and the majority of people are deciding its time for this issue to be moved aside and the UE start to seriously consider getting a job…because you will become a number that no one will be counting anymore. Its really up to you.
Don’t you just love it when people who don’t know a damn thing about what they are talking about chose to publish their ignorance for all to see?
Your first glaring error is that benefits cover 50-70% of a workers wages!! I went from making $1,350 a week in my professional career of over 15 years to trying to live off of $330 a week on unemployment. That’s not even 25% of my previous wages. And on top of that, I went from paying $220 a month for health insurance to now paying over $500 a month.
Your remaining totally unsubstantiated make-believe attestants are equally as glaring. I hope for your sake that writing this fictitious drivel is not a paying job for you, else you may soon know firsthand what it is like to have to live on unemployment benefits.
I don’t even know where to begin. This is completely false. I want to work, I want to be productive and have self esteem. I have been unemployed for over 2 years!!!!! I look for a job every single day! This I can document as well for the unbelievers. So far, I can’t get part-time, temporary, or even a job at Macy’s despite the fact I have a JD. So Ms. Howard, lets change positions, because I would gladly take your job and you see if you like where I have been. Losing my house and having to file for bankrtupcy. I promise you, you will not like it.
The jobs/unemployment bill now if front of the House will only make the numbers look better for reporting purposes as it does not address the ALREADY long-term unemployed….Everyone still unemployed but ran out of benefits SHOULD STILL BE FILING FOR THEIR WEEKLY OR BIWEEKLY CHECKS. By not continuing to file you are making the numbers look better than what is reported. Bottom line…..the new bill must add Tier Levels so the ALREADY long-term unemployed will also receive compensation through 2010.
The person who wrote this article must have never had a hard time in her life..Audrey you make it seem like there are so many jobs out there available and we dont want them..I am 30, a single parent of 2 kids.I am bringing home half of what i make and who wants to live like this?..worried everyday how you are going to pay bills, put food on the table cause with unemployment i dont qualify for foodstamps and put clothes on my kids back..What sense does that make that i want to live like this..I have lost weight due to stress and especially checking the news to see if unemployment will get extended so i can go to the next tier or not…but watch what you say cause one day God will put you in these shoes and i bet you wont feel the same way.
I started working full-time at 14-years-old. I’m now 46 and have never been unemployed before. I have worked my way up to being a successful and effective Information Technology Director by teaching myself and bettering myself whenever I could. I have, like many others, worked 3 full-time jobs simultaneously when I had to.
I have now been unemployed for almost 2 years. I have been fortunate in that I have had a few interviews during this 2 year span, but alas, none have panned out as of yet.
My wife has a good job, but even that is not enough to sustain us by itself and without unemployment, we would be homeless. Not that we would lose our home, we didn’t take that plunge when homes were overinflated, so we still rent. We would not be able to afford rent without the very necessary little bit provided by the unemployment that I have earned through a lifetime of work.
I have worked and lived long enough to realize that there are people worse off than I and people that are better off than I and that anyone with half a brain should know better than to judge the unfortunate struggles of others, period.
So maybe you should refrain from judging other people when you have no idea of what they have been through.
This just goes to show how people that are working and have not experienced being unemployed have no clue what is going on. I saw what was going on here in Detroit just after 911 when the automotive industry starting getting really bad. I was working then as a technical recruiter and I spoke with engineers every day that were losing their homes and could not afford health insurance for their family. It has become far worse now for many people here and in several other states. As Mark had said in a recent post, he had worked for 38 years paying into the unemployment insurance and he is exactly correct. I have been working for 35 year myself and have paid into the system which is an insurance for when we need it, and we certainly need it now. I have been unemployed for 11 months and in that time I have sent out nearly 1,000 resumes not including the jobs applied for online that were listed as confidential so that you could not even follow-up with someone. I have had a handful of interviews and been told that I was in the top 3 candidates, however I lost to another candidate for very simple reasons such as someone having more experience with call center recruiting when my experience was more technical. Or my human resource experience was more in an office environment rather than a plant environment. Most recruiters don’t even bother returning your call or email to let you know if you were accepted by their customer after being submitted. I have been told that I am over-qualified to be a manager at a Wal-Mart or Radio Shack because I don’t have any retail experience even though I have 15 years of management experience in engineering and recruiting. I have even applied for $12 per hour Administration jobs only to be declined. There are certainly some workers that may not be trying very hard to find work and they will pay for that down the road, the everyone that I know in my circle has been diligent in seeking work and networking only to fall short of a job because the employers can be much pickier about what they want. I may have 97% of the required skills for the position, however if the employer waits a little longer they will find someone with 100% and go for them even if they are not the best employee for the job. If we can spend $700 billion to bail out the automotive companies and banks, then we can certainly spend a fraction of that to provide the unemployment insurance to those who have paid into it for years until the job market picks up. What would the alternative be? Let even more people lose their homes to foreclosure, add more people to list of people collecting welfare and food stamps, add more crime to every area of the state because people are desperate to feed their children? That will certainly cost the government money down the road as well, so why not invest in America by helping Americans survive by providing them the money they and their employers paid into for years until we can stabilize the job market. Many of the republicans in Government don’t see it that but they have good paying jobs and solid healthcare that will stay in place long after they leave office so why should they care as long as they can get their bill passed that helps their big business lobbyists that are in their best interest. THE GOVERNMENT IS SUPPOSED TO BE FOR THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE. NOT FOR THE BIG BUSINESS, BY THE BIG BUSINESS. But you can obviously see that it does not work that way at all. Not every American is trying to get something for nothing, many are just trying to get by and working hard everyday to find work like myself.
Ms Howard,
The majority here believes you should stick to writing about health care(as your profile states)because you are beyond clueless when it comes to the discussion of unemployment. I hope you get a chance to join the ranks of the unemployed,so maybe then,you can write a first hand account of how the government is teaching you to stay unemployed. Let us know how that works out for you.
P.S. Take “the mack” with you,he is just as uniformed as you are.
Marco, actually we have been paying into your unemployment before hand. I hope to God, you do not lose your Job as you to will feel the fear of not finding another. I myself have looked for jobs I thought I would never seek out but I want to wak every morning getting ready for work, you don’t nkow how much many of us miss that. You can’t put everyone in the same box. Perhap’s you are putting this statement up to cause upset, who know’s but I won’t bite into that. I wish you the best of luck and be grateful for each day, I am. Be well.
Excuse me, I meant paying into our own unemployment before hand.
I really feel for you John, it is so scary what we are possibly facing, I am facing losing my apartment with my Ill Mother here as well. She is feeling the strain, although I try to fake it out,I tell her I have more in the bank then I really have. But I think she is smarter then that. I have Rheumatoid arthritis on top of it and no medical insurance for almost two years. It’s no picnic. I would love to see this Auther respond to some things we are saying, hmm, waiting, tick tick tick. I wish you all the best, hang in there and don’t let the dribble of the self rightious bring us all down.
90% of you think you paid into your unemployment insurance it is paid 100% by the employer not the employee It is federal which means every state is the same. Most people has not filled out the first job application because they think they paid for U.I. then when it gets close to running out they expect more they lie obout there job search just like a welfare bum
You are a complete moron, Audrey Howard…which
doesn’t surprise me. You have always in the past and always in the future use that same canard…give the unemployed $$$ and the unemployed will not look for jobs because they
are getting the big bucks. Ridiculous! The jobs
are not to be found but don’t worry Mr. Howard.
As long as you are receiving your steady payroll ck, why give a dam about others in need. You are a pathetic soul.
Americans haven’t asked to be unemployed. We are losing our homes and means of transportation by receiving unemployment which is a lower % of our income. My wife and myself are both unemployed we have always worked and she has never received unemployment. I received one week of unemployment over 20 years ago. I worked everyday 12 hours each day. I missed one day of work in 8 years and you state Americans want this unemployment benefits. I will work today if possible tell me and my wife where to find these jobs. I look at the news to see companies here where we live laying off. Our combined income was ove $130,000 a year now our income from unemployment is barely $25,000 a year. You have no idea how it feels to tell your kids no we can’t afford the simple things they want.
what is going on in this country?Are we taken care of epidemics,typhoons,earthquakes in every pat of this world,but yet when it comes to the US,we do not do crap without a big damn debate,whatever.Space exploration may be where the gov,t can transplant the unemployed so they will be out of sight out of mind.Well,the ships will be full.Its quite disgusting .Actually,America seems to be departing from what America was all about.We Did it to the folks who came back from Viet Nam.Guys came home sick and the gov’t fought them about it.WHEN WILL WE START PUTTING AMERICANS FIRST??? WELL,NO EXTENSION,GET THE FOOD STAMPS READY..CAUSE SOME OF US HAVE TO EAT….DO THEY HAVE A A STAMP THAT COVERS YOUR RENT,UTILITIES,ETC..OR WILL THAT BE ANOTHER BIG DEBATE..WHAT A JOKE.
Audrey;
Shame on you for putting all unemploymed in the same catagory. I am 55 plus years old with a degree and filed for benifits for the first time
in over 30 plus years. Do you think we enjoy feeling useless and unwanted?? I’ve applied for many jobs I’m overqualified for just to feel productive. My pride won’t allow me to apply for other assistance. Maybe I should turn into the looser you think we all are, however give me a job where my customer looks at me and smiles to say “you have made my day”. An unempoyment check simply doesn’t have the same effect. What do we all do to pay rent,food and utilities? Take a walk in my shoes!!
Andrey,
I do not agree with your statement one bit. It is very easy for you and other to think that the American tax payer is being taken advantage of but you are more than wrong. I for one have been looking for work since last April. I am a career specialist and there are hundreds of out of work people, that I know of, that have been looking very very hard. We are qualified and ready to take care of our families. THERE ARE NO JOBS! I have been on dozens of interviews and sent out hundreds of letters to possible employers.
We, the unemployed, have paid millions in taxes, our employers have paid millions in taxes. We have paid out dues and it is not our fault that we cannot find employment. I along with other have been holding on by the skin of our teeth while the government bails out everyone but the people that have helped our country grow. Our job losses are a product of corporate greed… pure bottom line selfishness. The corporate CEOs and owners protect themselves and their pockets. They over invest in and capitalize then cry when the public freaks out and they run for cover abandoning the workers that built their companies and destroying the careers of those left behind working them to death to handle the extra work while they wait for the other shoe to drop.
The previous respondent was right. Lets see you and the members of your family lose their jobs. Let see what they do when month after month they try to keep their families secure on an 8th of what they were bringing home when employed. How would you address that when your relatives ask for help.
You are just like the rest. When some one comes your way that is out of work… you walk away. Your comments reflect your emotions. The unemployed need help to get through tough time. If they don’t get the help THEY NEED, you will see the economy slip even further into recessions… it will be depression and people will start taking from those who are the haves.
You think it is bad now… just wait…. wait until … the real depression hits…Our government is more concerned about international affairs and health care than they are their own. It is a sad day for those who have worked all of their lives and an even sadder day for the character of out nation.
You should be ashamed to sweep this under the carpet… it is not going away… it is of epidemic proportion. Remember the story “The King Has No Clothes?” Well our president has to balls and our country is in deep trouble and it is only going to get worse unless we focus on the American family.
Stand up for your brother. I am not only waving the flag, I am ready to stuff it where YOUR sun doesn’t shine.
I would like to see them remove the illegals from the country. Illegals take US citizens jobs.
I know all of the arguments that illegals have of doing the jobs that Americans won’t do, but those times are past. I see people with college degrees flipping burgers. Things are that bad.
Every job should be for Citizens.
employers should be given heavy fines and jail time for hiring illegals. They have all of the tools to verify citizenship so there are no excuses for any employer.
There are people who are unemployed who have worked and contributed their whole lives. The economy is responsible for the record unemployment rate. This has all been brought on by our governments lack of balancing budgets and over spending. This is supposed to be unemployment insurance benefits. and this insurance should go all of the way.
The education programs are a joke because there is only partial money, which means that if you want to use the programs you have to come up with money to establish that you can finish the educational requirements.
So the question is… they provide a so called half way program and what part of Unemployed, NO money, do they NOT understand.
People are using their homes and they are hungry. They are willing to work but there are no jobs.
Obama is so busy doing his health care he has not even touched his more lies about how he is going to create more jobs.
For those who say, unemployment benefits are teaching people to be unemployed.. just remember… Karma is a bitch….
I am curious. How many illegals are unemployed. I see, no way of knowing…duh, they’re illegal. I have a BS from Indiana University, I’m sixty-four, and am not a wanted commodity in the unemployment world.
Audrey. So who is streotyping us unemployed through no fault of our own? Dave has made a great point at 2:04 pm.
Keith,
The fact that the employer pays into the unemployment insurance rather than the employee is not the issue. The point is that it is an insurance just like medical insurance, etc. The employer may pay into it, however it is insurance to be used employee is the case of a layoff and many of us have never filed a claim in our 35 years of working. As far as all of us being welfare bum, you are totally clueless because we are all out there working everyday looking for work. Seeking work has been our new job and it doesn’t end at 5pm. I know many people that have found a job, however it pays half or less in many cases and it took 10 months on average to find that job. I have worked as a recruiter for 9 year and I had to sign a non-compete agreement that prevents me from working for a competitor for one year within a 50 mile radius and even though my past employer laid me off and said that they will not enforce it, many companies will not hire me without having the non-compete waived in writing which my past employer will not do. That narrows my searches down to only being able to work in corporate recruiting positions. It is hard enough out there without having other restrictions. As much as I would hate to wish something bad on someone, I can’t help but wish that someone lacking any empathy and making such stupid remarks such as Keith did would lose his job and know what it feels like.
Get a clue Keith!
For those who feel that unemployment benefits
are teaching people to stay unemployed -
you are wrong. I am unemployed because the company I worked for sent my job overseas.
My unemployment benefit is only $160.00 a week.
I used to make $600.00 a week. My rent is more than my unemployment. I have been using my savings to live on, but they are almost gone, since I have been unemployed, for almost a year. I send out 100s of resumes a day online and mail several more. I have gone to the local job service looking for jobs. I go through the local paper. I network on Linkedin. Since I got laid off, I have had interviews, but no offers. I keep getting told I am overqualified. The only jobs people are hiring for are part time minimum wage
fast food and retail type – I would gladly take one, be happy to have it and work my ass off for the company,until I retired, minimum wage or not, if they would just give me a chance. I’ve already had my car repoed, my cable tv shut off, my cell phone shut off, and
my tax refund taken by the government because I could not pay my student loan payment (which was more than I make on unemployment). I have 2 kids. I could not afford to buy my son even a small birthday gift. I could not afford gifts at Christmas time. Just keeping food on the table and a roof over our heads is almost impossible.
republicans are the most pathetic bunch of people ever. Health care bill cost this much unemployment cost that much blah blah. What happened when they started silly wars? WMD crap, fear mongering corporate supporting vampires. Did they do their cost calculations before the war? Who will give us 3 trillion wasted taxpayer dollars back? Tell the halliburton-like corporations to give our money back. Republicans greatest asset is the low IQ Americans and i really feel sorry for them.
Keith – FYI: I live in PA, and every time I get my paycheck there is a deduction that you probably don’t have in your paycheck. Guess what it’s for?? UNEMPLOYMENT!!! Yes, that’s right – employers pay a tax for unemployment and in some states SO DOES THE EMPLOYEE! Imagine that! I guess you didn’t know that, did you? I still have a job, THANK GOD. However, that doesn’t mean that I will forget my fellow human who is suffering. I guess you’d rather see homes in your neighborhood borded up and 80% of your local businesses go out – what will happen to your property values and your community? Unemployment affects EVERYONE, not just the unemployed. If the government doesn’t act, you too, will soon lose your job and so will I.
Unfortunately I stumbled upon this very questionable article two hours after it was posted. The following are a few of my arguments based on solid grounds.
March 14, 2010 at 12:33 pm
Well for starters a new CBO(CongressionaBudget Office) report, “Policies for Increasing Economic Growth and Employment in 2010 and 2011” makes clear, paying unemployment compensation is among the MOST effective ways to boost demand and create jobs. CBO estimates that a full-year renewal of unemployment benefits will create approximately 700,000 jobs. Each $1 billion of unemployment compensation generates an estimated $1.63 billion to $2.15 billion of additional GDP.
…yada yada blah
I ranted more but no need to repeat it all. HOWEVER, I REVISTED THE SITE THIS MORNING ONLY TO REALIZE I OVER LOOKED THE MOST BLANTANT INSULT AND INJUSTICE AUDREY BESTOWED ON THE LT UNEMPLOYED. AUDREY HOWARD HASNT A CLUE WHAT HE/SHE IS EVEN TALKING ABOUT. NO, IT’S NOT THE OBVIOUS, WHICH IS THEY DON’T KNOW WHAT IT’S LIKE TO BE IN OUR SHOES. IT’S HER STATEMENT WHERE SHE SAYS:
“The cost to taxpayers for extending
unemployment benefits through 2010
is estimated to be at $10 billion yet
there are serious questions as whether
the economic benefits are worth the
cost. For such a high cost, it is
estimated that Extended Unemployment
may increase the year’s GDP by 17 cents.”
AUDREY IS EITHER QUESTIONING WHETHER THE UNEMPLOYED DESERVE THE 30 DAY $10 BILLION EXTENSION THE SENATE PASSED TO BUY TIME FOR FUTHER LEGISLATION OR SHE IS DISPUTING THE RECENTLY PASSED YEAR LONG $80 BILLION EXTENSION OF ELIGIBILITY DATES WHICH SHE BELIEVES COSTS A MEAGER $10 BILLION. NOT SURE WHICH SHE’S QUESTIONING. SO BASICALLY THAT MAKES HER EITHER CLUELESS AND POMPOUS OR POMPOUS AND CLUELESS. AUDREY DID NOT EVEN TAKE THE TIME TO RESEARCH WHATSOVER THE LEGISLATION BEFORE PUTTING HER 17 CENT O-PINION IN AND POSTING IT FOR THE WORLD TO SEE. FOR THE LOVE OF GOD, SHE QUESTIONS THE WORTH OF THE UNEMPLOYED TO RECEIVE A YEAR LONG EXTENSION AT A COST (she thinks) IS 10 BILLION DOLLARS. THATS COMPARABLE TO BUYING A FERRARI FOR $8000, LMAO LMAO
IN MY O-PINION THAT IS A BIGGER INSULT TO THE LONG-TERM JOBLESS THAN STATING THAT THERE JUST IS NOT ENOUGH RETURN ON THE DOLLAR, BANG FOR THE BUCK, TO JUSTIFY CONTINUING BENEFITS THAT ARE FOR MANY THEIR ONLY LIFELINE…..WOW AUDREY, I THINK YOU HAVE THE INTELLECT AND MORAL FORTITUDE BECOMING OF A U.S. SENATOR. THROW THAT PEN IN THE RING! YOU’LL FIT LIKE A GLOVE, RIGHT HAND OF COURSE.
I have been unemployed over 3 years now (I had like 20 hours over a 3 week period last year). I had nearly seven years with IBM, and did several short-term IT contracts there. I have a Masters degree in Information Systems. I have started a non-profit to give myself work on the side (couldn’t find anything volunteer professional wor to help remain viable so I started a non-profit).
I have blown some interviews, I will admit. But I am up for relocating. And I get funny looks by individuals when I go to apply at a Wendy’s or other fast food place.
Ok, can I ask people this: What kind of society we have if people with Masters degrees have only low wage retail part-time as prospects for them. Forget the $300+ a month I also need to pay in student loans.
As for joining the military? Well, I am now over 40.
Okay, and one more thing. I’m betting on Audrey is clueless and pompous and more clueless. I mean what the hell does the following statement have to do with the plight of the unemployed losing their means to even the most basic of neccessaties???
“Most studies are conclusive in the fact that unemployment has almost no effect on the type of jobs the unemployed acquire after unemployment, meaning workers are likely to have neither improvement or a decrease in their job satisfaction.”
What the &^%&?? Don’t fear my fellow unemployed desperat-dos. After you are evicted and living on the streets dining in soup kitchens all is not lost. When you do finally become employed you won’t be any more or less satisfied with your new job than the job WallWashinton Street booted overseas. Just relax and enjoy your homeless vacaton. You are no worse for the wear….lol lol
Someone please tell me this is just someone pulling a prank. Did I add clueless-errrrr?
I understand the concern that some of the employed have that people on unemployment are staying on the system rather than take whatever is available. And I am sure there are a few people out there that fit the mold. But as someone who got laid off in 2009 when a European company acquired our American firm and decided after one year to cut 25% of the division, I can tell you that the job market right now is absolutely terrible. Employers are picky to the extreme and asking for the whole enchilada plus a steak on the side.
One of the above posters hit the nail on the head with his comment that if employers wait they think they can find the perfect match. Thus, when employed people look at job listings they tell the unemployed that there are “plenty of jobs”. But in reality, these companies are doing “soft” hiring. They only hire if they find someone who meets their insane requirements. Gone are the days when employers would interview 3-6 candidates for a position and hire the best fit. Now hiring is a multi-year process.
When we have paid into the system for years it is fair for it to help us when we need it. And yes, those of us collecting unemployment need to be realistic about the current recession and more flexible than we were doing the boom times.
I think all of you are ignorant when it comes to unemployment. I lost my job a year ago and am now attending school so I can try to get a job. I dont think people are sucking off of unemployment, because I know I dont make the money I made when I was working. Not even close. I would give anything to find a job that pays what I was making. Unemployment definately helps but it is not something that I can live off or suck off. I dont know what I would do without it right now. Its almost impossible to go find a job anywhere. And if I did find one paying minimum wage, it would even out with amount of daycare that I would have to pay so I could work. I struggle everyday to pay for my everyday needs as well as daycare so I can go to school. There are no jobs out there anymore and if you do find an opening, your in line with thousands of other people. The government should keep going with the extensions because theyre part to blame for letting all of the companies go out of the country for cheaper wages. For all of you that think there should be no more unemployment, I hope you dont lose your jobs too, because I bet your minds will change.
There is much negative talk about extending the unemployment benefit. Some say that it only encourages people who are receiving benefits to remain on unemployement. Are those people nuts? While unemployment helps it doesn’t match what my regular salary was. If my job, he one I worked at for 36 years, became available again I would jump back to it in a heartbeat! You think I would prefer to remain on unemployment? Why? So I can continue to get deeper into debt? You are fools if you think that I enjoy receiving unemployment benefits. There is no medical coverage, no dental coverage no benefits of any kind, except that I can continue to eat! Should I stop eating? Should my electricity be cut off? I paid into the system for 36 years! Should I live in a cardboard box? What about the people on welfare? Why don’t you complain about them? Most of them never worked a day in their lives and they get money, food stamps, medical and dental benefits. I’m only trying to survive until I can find a job! You want to deny me survival? Those who answer “yes,” I hope you lose your job one day and have someone else voice their disapproval of you!
They should extend it, because there are no jobs, or not enough to lower unemployment to appreciable levels. The credit and foreclosure crisis would be devastating for everybody if there is no more unemployment.
By the way, it is easy to say “get a job at McDonalds”, but remember, McDonalds will not hire a laid-off engineer with a Master’s degree. You are simply labeled as “overqualified”. That is the problem with many unemployed: there are no jobs for which they are not labeled as overqualified.
Finally, I think anybody receiving unemployment insurance should report AT LEAST 3 companies they have contacted during the week for work, as well as registering their resume on the state database. Some states don’t require this, and this is wrong for taxpayers. This can help prevent laziness and abuse of the system, which is a possibility.
I don’t understand we can spend 700 billion to bail ou the automotive companies and banks. We can certainly spend a fraction of that to provide the unemployment insurance to those who have paid into it for years until the job market picks-up. What a shame what’s going on with our representatives.
I am so sick of this. You people should know better. To my count I have heard the following six times:”Studies show(or Studies are conclusive)that people who collect unemployment remain unemployed longer than those who receive no assistance.” In all these statements never once has anyone bothered to say where I can find this study, who did this study, when this study was done, where the study was done, or what were the demographics of the study. This is just plain lazy. Did these people do the study in there head on there way from the living room to the dining room. If your going to put it out there you better make damn sure you can back it up. It works great if your ignorant. Here’s a good study, “Studies are conclusive that if you are a male, and you drive a 2001 black Dodge Ram 1500 4×4, then your penis is typically three inches longer then the average male.” How dare you question this study. I’m stating it as fact. What??!! You want details about the study??!! That’s insane!!!
Let me put this to you, of course the rate of re-employment is higher when somebody is nearing the end of their benefits. If you get laid-off from a job making $70,000 a year,(as I did) and you make $17,000 a year on unemployment, then what sense would it make to take a $8,000 a year job. After all it doesn’t take care of any of your ploblems. Now that I am at the end of my benefits if any of you have a $8,000 a year job out there I’ll gladly take it, because it will be the first job offer I’ve received in the two years I’ve been out of work. And it’s not for lack of trying. How about we quit blaming the unemployed and start looking at the assholes who shipped our jobs overseas, so that they could pay less for labor and charge more for the product. Didn’t anyone hear, studies are conclusive that the recession is over, there are five jobs for every single applicant. Funny thing is everyone who talks about cutting off all unemployment still have their jobs. Don’t you just love people who talk like they actually think they know something. Try walking a mile in my shoes, then you might actually know something.
To those who are obviously employed here is something for you to think about. 700 of my coworkers and I had our jobs taken away from us and given to foreigners that were brought here on H1B visas. I know this is what happened because we had to train these people to take our jobs away from us. For the last year I have seen our illustrious (joking) President and Congress fixated on health care and spending no time whatsoever on fixing the economic situation. Think about it for a minute. Your jobs are at risk too. When the inevitable hits and you are classified from “employed” to “unemployed” you should not only think about your comments bashing the unemployed but you should apply your comments directly where they belong….to yourself!
I have never in my life tried so hard for a job. It’s to the point where I no longer no what to say and how to present myself. I am fortunate not to have children or people who depend on me. However, it is very frightening even for me to think that I may not receive unemployment compensation one day. I HAVE NO SAVINGS LEFT. Where will I go? How will I eat? How will I survive? Forget about any medical care, doctors need their money too. Welfare bum….HOW DARE YOU?!!! My only hope is that the unemployed outnumber the employed. Then we’ll see…
Bring back the jobs that our government has allowed to be moved out of the country and I will gladly work.
Those that have jobs should not judge those that don’t and who are trying to find jobs.
Are you aware that the senate bill HR 4213 does nothing for the long termed unemployed?
An impending nation crisis is coming, and congress refuses to address it.
My benefits (I’m a 99weeker) are about to end, after that I will not have the money to pay for internet service to look for work online, eventually I will not have the carfare to get to the public library to use a free service. With unemployment benefits my incentive to look for work is NOT reduced. WITHOUT benefits my ability & resources sure as hell are! This latest deadline extension does NOTHING for me and many other long-term unemployed Americans.
I totally understand the original intent of Unemployment Insurance, but when the plan for UI was drafted nobody ever expected an economic downturn of this magnitude. The minute the plug is pulled on the safety net, any iota of progress is destined to go backwards. The long-term unemployed (99weekers) have been hit the hardest. They have had to go 1 to 4 months between each extension. Many have maxed out their credit cards and exhausted their savings during those time periods and now have nothing to fall back on. The newly unemployed have had no breaks at all between their extensions and have not had to go any amount of time without any source of income. We have incurred many painful gaps in unemployment insurance coverage and didn’t open our claims with a $25 supplement. We were never offered COBRA subsidies either. If the newly unemployed still need help then so do the long-term unemployed. Needless to say, most of the long-term unemployed can’t afford the luxury of waiting and playing the “it may take longer” game. We are borrowing money now just to catch up on last month and hopefully this month. This being an election year, the public will have the opportunity to voice their sentiment as to how pressing matters facing the middle class are addressed.
Keith, Question: Where dose the federal goverment get the funds to pay the unemployment? Answer: We pay fed taxes on our checks. So say what you want, but any way you can put it, we pay for for our unemployment insurance!!!! Good luck to all the unemployed. Hope you all find a job soon…Untill then i will gladly spend my tax money to help! ITS THE RIGHT THING TO DO!!!!!!!!!!!
Travis,unemployment does not come from federal taxes the federal gov regulates it the employer pays it on each employee you can find out how much your employer has paid into your fund at the unemployment office. If it were tax money you would be on welfare moron
I worked so hard -so long- with so little
that i’m now qualified to do anything with nothing— and still no job!!!!!!!!!!
Keith, You are obviously a total jerk with no empathy for anyone whatsoever. As I said earlier in my post, it doesn’t matter if we pay or our employer pays into the unemployment insurance. the fact is that it is an insurance to be used in times of need such as now. I have worked for 35 years of my life with every one of my employers paying into it so that I would have this safety net if needed and that it the case for many others out there seeking work diligently. After seeing all of these posts from people trying to find work and barely surviving on unemployment as it is, you still come back with an ignorant statement like your last one about where the money comes from. What Travis is saying is true, we have all paid federal taxes so when the state unemployment fund is exhausted and more is needed due to a economic crisis then federal dollars should be used. None of us had a choice when the government decided to bail out the banks and automotive companies with $700 billion of the money that we paid into our federal taxes so they can certainly afford to pay a fraction of that back to us until the economy picks back up. I would gladly pay more taxes in the future after the economy picks back up to help pay back for the extension now. I don’t know how you can sleep at night being a cold hearted ignorant jerk. As Travis said, it is the right thing to do otherwise many will suffer even more. There is place waiting in hell for people like you but I am sure that you don’t believe that anyway because a godly person would never think like you do. By the way, I will save you from looking up the word empathy, it means putting yourself in the shoes of someone else and trying to understand what they are going through instead of judging someone blindly. I figured that you would be too ignorant to know that word without looking it up.
dave, yes I am
I have a reason to believe that most people are sucking the system . If you take a job less than u.b. you can draw the difference in benefits but you will get raises apparently that working mantality thaat people hide behind is just that a facad
cat1313: in my day we went to each place to fill out a app if you dont have the money to pay for the lazy way there is a bus line if you want to survive. J.C. why would you tell them you have a degree at mcdonalds it dont take a degree to flip hamburgers you wanted to blow the interviev or your lying. And as for Peggy George please tell us all where you have found these alleged 100s of jobs that you applied for but couldnt get maybe some readers can get one of them. Remember a lie to justify your self is still a lie
Keith, Yes, our employers paid for the first 20 weeks or so. But the other 79 weeks was paid for by congress via a series of wonderfull and much needed bills and stimulus packages. Our tax money payes for those. And i for one and glad to help. And yes, I am one of the lucky employed.
Audrey,
It AMAZES me how you “scholarly types” are so quick to quote statistics from past “recessions” without taking note of the difference between then and now. During your comparison years the job market wasn’t what it is now and if you were to REALLY compare this DEPRESSION to any other, the closest would be the great depression. I say closest because even then there were labor jobs to fall back on. Remember, we use to produce things in this country. More disturbing to me is that “scholars” such as yourself choose to jump on this spending/nat’l debt bandwagon when it comes to us and unemployment benefit extensions BUT you never spoke a word about bailing the Banks and WallStreet out (IN FULL without any strings) which directly had an effect on the present job and economic situation that WE are suffering from. Scholar me this, did anyone think of negotiating payoffs for the banks and WS? Was it truly necesary to pay their debts off in full as oppose to say, 50 cent on the dollar? That would’ve saved 390BILLION and then all of this paygo crap would be a moot point! (like it was then) If money is a concern then we need to STOP paying idiots like you for your crappy opinions!
Kieth,
Why do jerks (your admission) feel that McDonalds and Walmart have an endless supply of job openings? And as you YOUR view of how unemployment is paid, I only have a few words. (Federally funded Unemployment extension) You probably think that people effected by Katrina brought that on themselves too. I worked for 26 years AFTER i was honorably discharged from the Army and I paid @ 300 per every 1000 I made in taxes (being single with no deps) No degree because I WAS WORKING MY BUTT OFF! I am sure that you like many others took advantage of Pell Grants and such while I worked and I don’t remember telling any of you to stop sponging off of me! I applauded and supported your choice to continue your education (SUPPORTED) By the way, you are welcome but you ,and others like you, have a funny way of saying thank you for the service that I gave MY country for idiots like you!
I worked for 20 years at the same company, I was laid off in December of 2008 due to company downsizing. UI benefits have allowed me to survive while studying for my RN licence.
There are many more unemployed people who are ready, willing and able to work than jobs available. I bet the people who are against unemployment are also “pro-life” lets force more unwanted pregnancies to term so that they can starve to death when they get old enough to get a job that does not exist.
Thomas you are all wrong. 28 plus years working as a welder paying lots of taxes as you. No grants loans just work. I am not on u.i. But i know a lot op people that are. They never look for a job and they just get a phone book and pick a place to put down that they looked for a job the problem is it is never checked out by unemp office to catch people that lie.
@Keith
Ok, so you know alot of people that are “faking it”. Does that really justify your comments here among people who are trying to do something? Most of us who spend ANY time on these blogs are looking for information. Jobfest, new developments that will allow us to get a better grip. Sometimes just finding a moment to chat with someone who can relate to the many other problems caused by our situation. I talked a guy out of suicide and spoke with another who was having marital issues as a result of losing thier home. We (90% of us) are trying to holdon to a life and feed our kids while we poud the pavement looking for anything. And yes eventhough I do get the max from EUC I would rather have a 7-8 dollar an hour job because EUC is not dependable and we all know that one job has the possibility of leading to 2. Keith, people are killing themselves for life insurance so thier families don’t have to suffer! People are dropping off these blogs because they have been evicted! Hell , between looking for jobs and food shelters these blogs are the only thing that helps me keep it together so to have people like you come on here with opinions you develope due to people that you know (50 out of the millions here) REALLY DOESN’T HELP! You really need to address those that you say you know are cheating and leave us alone.
I receive EUC and it’s almost finished all 99 weeks. I have looked at were the money I have used is going, most of it is going right back to the small business companys in my local area. It seems like a good thing to keep this money moving aroung.
I think alot of people are just terrible people they must have never had anything bad happened to them like losing their job and having the goverment care more about how to make us pay for health insurance and have to have it or we will be fined and pay more money to them, than about helping the rising millions that will be in our homeless population we already have, then there will be more crime……..
I have been looking fo a job ever since I was let go from my job of 18 years. I have never been on unemployment since I started working at the age of 16. I lost my job at the age of 45. A lot of jobs kindly say, without saying, “OVERQUALIFIED FOR THIS POSITION”. Even at the fast food places, what is a person to do with a customer service backround. I also have management experience.
Just a word to speak my mind. I have been employed for the past 30 years. Whenever I’ve been layed off, I have always been able to find another job. Today, finding a job is not an easy task. If you have children, own a home, have even the smallest amount of additional debt to add to food, utilities, insurance premiums, and just plain minor living expenses, you will find yourself in a world of trouble in this, the Obama economy. I am not saying the current problems we are facing are his fault, but, surely they are the fault of politicians who continue to allow unaccountability in big business and the constant “foot in the ass” to the working class that keeps them in business. The six and seven figure salaries and bonuses have got to stop if anyone in this country who has lost a job is going to have any hope of ever getting another one that will remotely pay his bills. My biggest fear is that the American people, being totally fed up with the way they’ve been continuosly given the middle finger, rise up and take back the country from all the morons in control of every aspect of our lives.
Once everything falls apart, things will never return to normal. No one has a clue as to how to fix this mess now.