99ers See Unemployment Benefits Extension for a Tier 5 Put on Hold as Paying Bills Remains Difficult
Posted on | July 31, 2010 | 38 Comments
Over the last several months many 99ers throughout America have greatly struggled to make ends meet when it comes to personal finances; there have been rumors and talks of an unemployment benefits extension but no bill has made it to President Obama’s desk when it comes to the 99ers. With the Senate going on a leave of over one month from August 9th through September 12 it is imperative that action is taken next week or a tier 5 unemployment benefits extension will not happen until at least the middle of September.
Modest Needs is a very useful site that points out that the unemployment insurance checks that are being received do not cover nearly all the expenses to live a normal life. Over the course of a month a household will lose around $750 if they were previously bringing in around $1500 which is one person working 40 hours a week at $10 an hour. When you compound that over a year that is around $9000 less than a normal year for that particular household.
While unemployment insurance has helped many Americans get through this troubling time it is not nearly enough to sustain the previous lifestyle. When thinking about the 99ers out there it is only common sense that with absolutely no government help these individuals are either going to end up deeply in debt or filing for bankruptcy or worse. Washington needs to realize this before making the bold statement that there will never be a Tier 5 unemployment benefits extension.
With this in mind we would like to pose this question to you “are you surviving on your unemployment insurance?” If you are a 99er, how are you making ends meet? We do not want specific numbers, unless you would like to disclose them, but we would like to portray the picture of just how hard it is to live off unemployment rather than the pay of an actual job.
This is also the first Saturday of my Saturday morning column. With 99ers in mind I will be offering a $10 gift card of choice to the 99th “legitimate” comment. Comments like “pass unemployment” or “I need help” will not receive the offer. Only the 99th comment that is well thought out and has some effort and usefulness will receive the gift card. I will update comments throughout the day so please start the conversation about making ends meet and how you have survived on unemployment.
Author: Tiffany Mann
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38 Responses to “99ers See Unemployment Benefits Extension for a Tier 5 Put on Hold as Paying Bills Remains Difficult”
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July 31st, 2010 @ 10:17 am
I AM NOT PAYING MY CREDIT CARDS
July 31st, 2010 @ 10:18 am
I AM NOTING PAYING MY CREDIT CARDS
July 31st, 2010 @ 10:35 am
I am about to have no choice but to give up my apt., probably sell my car and buy a 500 dollar car. I live on coupons,and more than likely have to move in with family members.Health insurance has to go,and my dignaty as a man has been tarnished.I am 50 years old and can not find a 10 dollar an hour job, I feel it is because of my age.I do not know what else to do. I have applied for over 400 jobs and rarely get a response.My bank savings are gone.This all happened because I was the highest paid employee at my job 2 years ago, so by them having to downsize and replace my job with a new employee for 8 dollars an hour less, I am the one suffering after 10 years of loyalty to that company.There is no loyalty in companys in this economy. It is all about survival for the company.I understand but it is ashame it has to be like this and the good employee has to suffer because of the bad economy.I hope one day I will have my life and my pride back but right now I do not know what I am going to do.
July 31st, 2010 @ 11:10 am
Well, you have probably already heard a similar story such as mine but this is my story. I am a 58 year old woman. I have always worked since the age of 18. I have had 2 long term jobs and several others in between those. In May 2008 (a day I will never forget) I lost my job of 14 years with a better than average work record and several rewards through the years as I worked my way up to a good paying administrative assistant job for a good company. They replaced me with a young woman who they paid less than half of what I earned. I have tried fruitlessly to find work. I worry day and night as we are now liquidating assets so that we don’t lose our house. I even dream at night about working and having a job. By the way my husband also lost his job a year ago. I feel very sad, disheartened and left out. I really was hoping for a little more time to receive the unemployment benefits until maybe the economy will loosen up a bit. I have only had one interview out of hundreds of jobs i have applied for. That is my story which seems special only to me.
July 31st, 2010 @ 11:22 am
I am a 99 er…since loosing my job in Jan, 08 and using all of my employment and extension’s, I am moving out of my small little rental and in with a family member.
I have had to let everything go…. weekly visits with my son are now monthly because I can’t afford gas to pick him up, in the past year and a half the electricity to my house and been shut off twice, when I’d pay one bill another would go unpaid. Gaps of time between extentions for tiers 1-4..if I was able to get 1 step ahead, very quickly I was 5 steps back again. I ve borrowed money to meet simple needs, I have nothing left to fall back on. I am scared, stressed, and loosing all hope!!
I have .07 cents to my name…
July 31st, 2010 @ 11:49 am
I’m glad that the senate passed a benefits extension for those that have been unemployed for less than a year and a half. I’m not going to blather on about my bills, the tax’s I’ve payed and so on. But the congress did not pass a true extension. A true extension would have covered all people who lost their jobs greater than a year and a half ago.
July 31st, 2010 @ 11:58 am
What I find very disturbing is that President Bush reformed the Bancruptcy laws. Then started this economic meltdown. Why did he change The Law, what are the unemployed sapposed to do when there binefits expire.
It seems like he did that intentionaly.
He must of really got his pockets lined for that one.
July 31st, 2010 @ 12:24 pm
To survive on unemployment benefits, I stall on paying bills as long as possible. I am trying to pay credit cards on time, because they have a high late fee if you don’t. Utilities are best to stall on. Find out what’s the “drop dead date” and pay by then. I only buy food that’s on sale (the”loss leaders”) or I have a coupon. My bank will cover an insufficient funds rent check, but it costs me $34-49 each time. I accepted a credit card offer with a $175 annual fee and 23.9% interest rate to get through the Congressional delay in extending benefits. I had closed all my credit cards a few years ago when they were proposing higher rates, so I’m bummed that I had to do this. I’m a 26er, not a 99er YET. Also, when I talk to utilities/banks, I tell them I’m one of the unemployed who got screwed by the Congressional delay. I tell them that I hope the company is telling Congress to extend unemployment benefits, otherwise more people will be defaulting on them.
July 31st, 2010 @ 12:37 pm
This message is to plead for help with long term unemployment benefits extension. I am a 47 year old single woman who has worked since my 16th birthday (McDonald’s). My last job of 11 years as a Contracts Specialist/Administrative Assistant ended when my position was outsourced to someone in Cebu (yep, I’m another victim of job outsourcing to another cheap labor country). Finding gainful employment has been extremely difficult. I look daily, even when I feel depressed and discouraged, but nothing has come to fruition. Yes, I am willing to take lower pay. Yes, I am willing to work outside of my field. People who are not unemployed say, “Get a job at McDonald’s or Walmart.” I have applied at Walmart and many other minimum wage paying jobs and they are not hiring or just take my application and no call back. Walmart employees actually laughed at me stating, “We are in a hiring freeze and even if they do hire it would take at least six months and then they only hire from old applications on file”. I smiled and thanked them and then slinked away even more depressed. I worked at McDonald’s as a kid and they won’t hire me either! I’m terrified of becoming homeless at this age. It’s difficult to find companies that are hiring older adults (47 is old?!), or long term unemployed. If you have a college degree, you are over qualified. If you don’t have a college degree, you are under qualified. If you have 30 years work experience, it doesn’t seem to count for much. Very frustrating. I need the unemployment benefits income to avoid being homeless. PLEASE, help us hardworking, middle class, fellow Americans maintain what little pride we have left! I have used up my savings, burned through my retirement account and I’m selling whatever I can live without, so any income helps during this difficult time. Maybe the U.S. could hold off on helping other countries such as: Haiti or Greece, or postpone funding the war for a week to fund the need of unemployed AMERICANS. Congress needs to have compassion for the U.S. citizens. We are already doing what we can to survive during these tough times, so now it’s up to you to ‘help’ avoid mass suicides and riots. One thing that would help tremendously would be to greatly reduce U.S. jobs overseas. Bring back the jobs to the United States!
July 31st, 2010 @ 1:21 pm
i just want to say hello to the goverment,the congress that please extend the benefits 5 for all american with no job
we are not invisibles, but we look like for them,iwant to remind them the elections in november are close and we are going to remove then from those sits, we got the power to do it cause we are 1.4 MILLIONS the 99′es and becoming more every week, so please don’t hurt us, and don’hurt yourself, we are not lazy people , just we can’t find jobs because are not available, that is not a secret and everybody know that
July 31st, 2010 @ 1:42 pm
Hi,
I’m woundering why no one mention Cobra
I thought that when Obama signed the U. I.
that Cobra is included….
I’m over 50 years young and we all need
COBRA.
Thanks,
Karl.
July 31st, 2010 @ 2:23 pm
I’m living on my disabled son’s SSI and my 40 hours per month of state paid caregiving for him. I get food stamps now. I stopped seeing the hairdresser, I don’t buy retail items, I limit my driving to save gas and car repairs. The two of us live on $1000 per month. I have a BA in education (I’m not a certified teacher) but our school districts are packed with qualified paraprofessionals. I’m on a sub list for the staff assistant positions but I’m competing with tons of laid off personnel in addition to everyone else. When I received unemployment money, I spent more on fun things like restaurants, retail, tourism. I don’t know if my local economy feels it, but I’m sure there are lots of other 99ers in this community, and I know the numbers are growing. My benefits ended in April.
July 31st, 2010 @ 2:29 pm
The economy fell, and so did my pay checks. I have bill like every other American. When I started collecting unemployment, i realised it was not enough. Over the last 2 years i’ve, i’ve also had to use my savings and 401k. Now that the gov’t decided not to give an extension, and only fix a glitch in the system of already extended benefits. I AM A 99er! My car is over 30 days late. My credit cards have went to collections by now. Fortunately my parents are still around bc i had to drop my apartment. I have no money for gas, a haircut, or even to do laundry!!!!! I do not have a dollar to my name, and those benefits were just helping me survice enough to get by at bare MINIMUM! and to take that away from me, just makes me want to cry…
July 31st, 2010 @ 2:34 pm
My husband and I lost our jobs over 2 years ago to this economic down fall and we have sold everything that we could possibly live without.
Even with the Extended benefits Tiers – We still cannot make ends meet. We pay our utilities but it’s not until we get a disconnect notice. We have applied for so many jobs for my husband and I and not a single soletary phone call for an interview.
We don’t know what to do any more.
They call this the land of the free, but I think it’s more like the land of the broke!!
July 31st, 2010 @ 2:43 pm
All those unemployed should receive the extension but those of us (99ers) who have been unemployed the longest should have been included or given a tier 5. Did we not all pay into unemployment and the money belong to us? Has the government used our unemployment money as they have social security?
July 31st, 2010 @ 3:27 pm
!!SIGN MY PETITIONS ‘VOTE OUT THE REPUBLICANS IN NOVEMBER’!!http://humanrights.change.org/petitions/view/vote_out_the_republicans_in_november
July 31st, 2010 @ 3:37 pm
Am angry because I was fighting in hopes of the unemployment bill would include tier 5, how could tier 5 not be included in this bill. The long-term unemployed are the ones that have lost or will lose everything. My unemployment benefit stop in May I was already behind on everything I have no saving, or credit cards. I cannot get any financial help because I do not have any income. Agencies that are to help someone like myself with the basic needs like utilities, rent and food you can forget that if you do not have any income coming in you out of luck. My biggest fear is, I don’t want to be homeless it has become a reality but, what people don’t talk about is that once you get inside this cycle, it’s very hard to see a way out. Am now already three months past due on my rent now but, the saddest part is that I have nowhere to go, I don’t have a car to sleep in, family and friends don’t won’t to hear my story because they are struggling to. So what are the 99er suppose to do? Jobs are fading and people do not care. I just turn fifty-five this year and a single parent with child still in school. I never thought I would ever endure anything as this not being able to work, being homeless and with no relief in sight will the unemployment bill tier 5 ever come to the floor before congress goes on this month long vacation that the question I need to know very soon. I blogging because I need to vent about my frustrations on the lost and forgotten 99er unemployed
July 31st, 2010 @ 4:02 pm
I am writing on behalf of both of my parents-ages 70 (father) and 64 (mother) who lost their jobs in March 2008 and April 2008, respectively. They worked for a management company-the place that they worked at terminated their contract with the management company, and since my parents were employees of the management company, their jobs were lost. The management company has not found any employment for them since. They have also called, walked-in, wrote out applications, and sent resumes (in the case of my mother) to other places. When you’ve tried everywhere, what are you supposed to do? This is Florida we are talking about-and 79 weeks were the maximum, not 99. My parents collect Social Security which is not enough to live on-neither have a 401K or pension. My father retired/started collecting Social Security before age 65 due to health issues. My mother started collecting when she lost her job and knew that another one did not seem to be coming as fast as promised. My mother has no health insurance. My father has a number of health problems and has to have a supplement plan to Medicare which costs about $200.00 a month. They needed jobs then. They need jobs now. Property taxes, electric, heating oil, sewer, water…all of these things need to be paid. Forget about gasoline, auto repairs/maintenance, or home/yard maintenance. They need a Tier V desperately. A lot of people don’t realize that one can’t make it on Social Security alone.
July 31st, 2010 @ 4:48 pm
I got my last unemployment check on April 1st 2010. Since that time I have become homeless living in my car. I get foodstamps for 200$ a month and I collect cans and plastic for gas money. There are no jobs in California. I went from making 1800$ a month on unemployment to no income at all. For most of the people on the extensions now that are living check to check… this is what is waiting for you. No job and no money.
July 31st, 2010 @ 5:13 pm
Hmmm?
The big oil companies pay no taxes on their profits, and are subsidized by our tax dollar?
Yet; If we were to “Drill Baby, Drill” that oil goes to the international oil co-op, and it is then sold to the higher bidder…. it has to be done this way, via international compact agreements at the UN level.
So why not Nationalize them?
The money made would go into our National coffers, and there would be jobs, as most of those on oil rigs are from Britain or Saudi Arabia.
We need to Nationalize our Banks, get rid of the Rohtchildes run “Federal Reserve”, and have a Bank that is ours. They own every Country’s Banks in the World, except for 5 of them!
July 31st, 2010 @ 5:24 pm
I AM NOT PAYING MY CREDIT CARDS AND I TOOK ALL MY LIMIT OUT WHICH WAS 15 GRAND.WHEN THAT RUNS OUT I AM FILING FOR BANKRUPTCY AND I HAVE SOLD MY TVS IPHONE AND OTHER STUFF THAT I WORKED HARD FOR AND SAVED FOR.I AM NOT GONNA WORK FOR 7,25 AN HOUR LIFTING BOXES ALL DAY.I AM GOONA START TO DO THINGS THAT GOD WOULD SEND ME TO HELL FOR IF THEY DONT PASS THIS AND I WILL PROLLY END UP IN JAIL.WHAT DO U THINK????????
July 31st, 2010 @ 6:10 pm
this is a situation i never though i’d be in: a 99er as of march 28th! my family and friends don’t want to see me coming. i sold my car. i walk to the food pantry. i’ve baby sat a friend’s dog in exchange for food. i pray everyday. i’m at the end of my rope. i was always the go to person in my family. i have no kids. i have no one to go to.
live? for what? this?
July 31st, 2010 @ 7:01 pm
No more money coming in by unemployment benefits means I have to ask my parents for money to pay my bills. I will try to rent my house or some extra bedrooms. If it doesn’t cover the expenses. I have to move back in with my parents while my credit goes back and home forecloses. I am 36 years old educated engineer with more than 10 years experience.
July 31st, 2010 @ 8:08 pm
Yeah well I’m a 99er, and I am not making ends meet. My benefits ran out March 27th 2010. So I’ve been without money/income for about 4 months. I’ve lost a lot. I no longer have a vehicle. Every bill that I have is behind. Things have been getting shut down or shut completely off. If it wern’t for food stamps I’d be going hungery right about now. I don’t even have the money to buy personal items for myself such as tooth paste, soap, deodorant etc. I’ve had to beg for money to even get these things or have someone help me buy this stuff. Or better yet I’ve had to go to the extreme as far as ataining the simpelst of necessaties. I’ve had to five finger some of this stuff. If not I’d look and smell as if I were sleeping on a park bench. I’m telling you this is just horrific. This hasn’t been a walk in the park by any means. I am suffering greatly. I wake up day after day racking my brain as to how I can get out of this sick mess. I feel so torn and worn down. I am really just meantaly exhausted with struggleing to just hang on and hang in here. I really don’t know how much longer I can keep going through this. Ive been unemployed for two years now. At this point, looking for work is almost obsolete because how in the hell can you get back on your damn feet if A) You have no money for gas if you have a vehicle to get to a job interview or bus fare? B) or if you’re lucky to be able to just get to the interview and possibly land a job, how in the hell are you supossed to get back and forth to your job with no money for gas or bus fare?C) and if every one you know around you is basicaly broke and can’t help you either, I mean c’mon here. This isn’t a Damn game we are talking about peoples lives here. We really struggleing out here with no means to an end to this. How is this country going to get back on it’s feet if we the ” consumer” has no way to buy anything or get back to work? So no, I am not making ends meet. I am stuck inbetween a damn rock and the hardest palce imagineable in life, ever. The 99ers need further assistance or sorry to say we will not make it.
July 31st, 2010 @ 8:26 pm
This whole thing is a bunch of bull, I am 52, a 99er that has worked all of my life. Going to school, what else, there is no job. My mailbox sent folder is full of searches, both private and federal. My story is the same as everyone else.
The difference is like Chris said above. You become so depress, this crap makes you want to do something that you will go to hell or jail for and you have to really re-think your feelings. I myself have applied for stamps and medicaid, I refuse to be hungry because I’ve never had to go through this. It is all new to me, after working all of my life and now feeling like you don’t have a life. Yes, it makes you feel like kicking the d-doors of Congress in. Rangle can be brought up on ethics violations (13) and that’s excused, what has happen to not this world but this administration? Everybody on the hill arguing like little kids. Do we even want these people continuing to collect a check?
July 31st, 2010 @ 10:36 pm
Well I am a 99 since the end of March. House is in process of being foreclosed on. Tried to get a modification and that was a total joke. If you have no money coming in then, no mortgage company will help you. Borrowing money to pay money bills. Already way behind on my Key Span bill and on a monthly agreement with them. Guess we will be homeless cause today certified later came asking if I oppose my foreclosure. Hell yeah, I do and will write them a letter telling them so. They can hand that to the court on September 3, 2010 when they file my foreclosure. Also, owe more on my house than it is now worth and that price keeps going down. I pray everyday that I do not get sick, cause no health insurance either. What a mess my life has turned into at the age of 51.
August 1st, 2010 @ 12:04 am
GOD BLESS US ALL, PLEASE HELP THE SENATE. HOUSE AND PRESIDENT OBAMA
SEE HOW DESPERATELY WE NEED AN EXTENSION, ESPECIALLY FOR US 99ERS, WHO ARE ABOUT TO LOOSE OUR HOMES. WE’VE ALREADY LOST OUR SELF ESTEEM AND DIGNITY.
GOD BLESS AMERICAN
August 1st, 2010 @ 12:13 am
The republicans and the conservative right are playing a very dangerous game with all of our lives and our country’s future.
I am not a 99er yet but will be next year if things do not change. The shear numbers of the people that will become 99ers has to be looked at.
There are an estimated 14,000,000 million unemployed in this country since the recession started in 2008.
I looked at that number to get a feel for what it really means.
During WW2 there were about 12 million people in the US military.
14 million people are about the population of all of New England.
14 million people are almost the size of many states in this country.
During the dangerous times of the 1960′s the protests and riots that took place only involved 100′s and 1,000′s.
I am pointing this out because these are real numbers and real people.
Even if only half of these people out of desperation to feed, clothe, have shelter for their families decide to:
1. Go the hospitals for health care they would swamp the system.
2. Take the law into their own hands to clothe and feed their children there is no way the government could hire enough law enforcement officers to control all of them. Let alone throw them all prison.
3. Take to the streets in mass protests and riot. The riots of the 60′s involved 100′s and 1,000′s not these numbers.
The other point that I was thinking about is that the riots of the 60′s were about politics for the most part. The situation today is about desperation of feeding, clothing, and sheltering one’s family and children. The desperation factor would make them all the more harder to deal with.
Finally we are not talking about people who were on welfare, the public dole, food stamps, ECT. The majority are hard working people who are determined, educated, and have values that they take seriously. They are not going away.
During the 1960′s we could watch the protests on the college campuses, in Ghettos like Watts in LA or Older poor cities like Detroit on TV.
There is a good chance now these problems will spill over into many upper class suburbs.
Something to think about for the politicians, upper management other working Americans while they are on vacation this summer.
August 1st, 2010 @ 9:56 am
i am 50 and been unemployed for 2 years. i will have to move soon to i have no idea maybe a cardboard box. i have had about 5 interviews in this time. no more extensions!!!!!!!!!!!
August 1st, 2010 @ 4:31 pm
Im 33 years old I have 2 children 3 and 6. I worked since I was 14 years old I never collected unemployment before or have used any public assistance. I’ve owned my condo in NJ for 9 years now, I was living very comfortably I went from taking home $6000 a month working, down to $2000 on unemployment, now 0. I couldn’t manage on $2000 now I have nothing coming in and have depleted all of my savings while on unemployment. I have no idea what I am going to do now with absolutely nothing, no savings, no credit, no money coming in. I never felt this scared in my life but I will do everything I can to keep the roof over my kids heads!!!
I could see how some people could see not passing a tier 5. If i wasn’t in this mess and seeing it first hand I most likely would have felt that way too. People think of 99ers and automatically think of welfare not realising the 99ers at least most of them were regular people just like them. We were not on welfare and we WERE doing the right thing and supporting our families paying taxes, paying into unemployment. These are all people who held a consistant job otherwise they would have never been able to collect in the first place. I’ve watched people on welfare live off of the system for there entire lives and not worry about a damn thing and they are still sitting there doing nothing with no plans of it either and thats ok?? WE are not used to that we r being thrown into it. Remember WE WORKED our whole lives.Until you are living like we are in such a short period of time really think about it bc it could be you next!. We were hard working tax paying citizens now we have 1 foot in the grave and 1 week for congress to realize how serious this really is for us.
August 1st, 2010 @ 8:55 pm
Hello I am not a 99er but somehow my unemployment will be up next week. I called my local office and they were unable to explain it to me. I have been unemployed since march of 09. I have been desperate to find a job ever since. I can not even get an interview let alone a job. I have submitted at least a thousand resumes and applications. I have found that I am to skilled for many jobs and not skilled enough for others. The jobs I qualify for well hundreds of people are applying to those so compatiion is steep. I did a test and posted a job in my area up simple office position I recieved 500 resumes in the first 24 hours. It was seriously disheartening. I realize I would have to be super lucky to have my email get picked. It explained the lack of call backs. I live in an area of 100,000 residents in Wilmington NC. The situation is getting so bad I will have to move and how am I going to do that with no money. I have to take out a student loan.
August 1st, 2010 @ 10:52 pm
Enough is enough! Legal U.S citizens unite! Help take the steps to save our country take our jobs back and stop this illegal immigrant invasion. Support our cause before illegal immigrant criminals have more rights than us. This is our last stand! Also we must take steps to lower local city and state councilmen salaries too they are all robbing & hurting the people they serve. So please read and sign this online petition. “Petition to Reduce the Wages of Congress Men and Women from $174,000 per year to $50,000 per year at “change.org’. ” Copy & Paste below link into your web address bar:
http://uspoverty.change.org/petitions/view/petition_to_reduce_the_wages_of_congress_men_and_women_from_174000_per_year_to_50000_per_year
Pass it on!
August 1st, 2010 @ 11:13 pm
I have always been supportive of local as well as national government leadership, regardless of the elected party. I believe that both parties are capable of having leaders with common sense. Now I’m beginning to wonder!
I am 64 years old and have been unemployed since November 2008. Having lived through a difficult divorce at age 50 which destroyed me financially. I worked as a boy from the 6th grade through high school, a night job while in the Air Force, and a night job while attending college. I had paid my home off in less than 10 years.
Now I live in an apartment. Just the rent takes 1/2 of my unemployment income each month.
While our government is financing two wars, sending aid to third world nations and spending tax money where they have to generate a need…they are not interested in older 99′ers who are in positions we never, I repeat NEVER, expected to be in prior to retirement.
Having no medical insurance is depressing enough. WE NEED HELP!!
August 2nd, 2010 @ 12:05 am
I am about to have no choice but to give up my apt., probably sell my car and buy a 500 dollar car. I live on coupons,and more than likely have to move in with family members.Health insurance has to go,and my dignaty as a man has been tarnished.I am 50 years old and can not find a 10 dollar an hour job, I feel it is because of my age.I do not know what else to do. I have applied for over 400 jobs and rarely get a response.My bank savings are gone.This all happened because I was the highest paid employee at my job 2 years ago, so by them having to downsize and replace my job with a new employee for 8 dollars an hour less, I am the one suffering after 10 years of loyalty to that company.There is no loyalty in companys in this economy. It is all about survival for the company.I understand but it is ashame it has to be like this and the good employee has to suffer because of the bad economy.I hope one day I will have my life and my pride back but right now I do not know what I am going to do.
August 2nd, 2010 @ 10:40 am
I am a 99er and I haven’t received any unemployment since June 5. I have three children, and I am a single-mother. I have been actively looking for work and still I am not getting responses from employers or they are saying that I am over-qualified. I graduated from college in May of this year, and it seems employers seeing that degree on my resume is making things harder because they feel they can’t pay me accordingly. I was only getting $268 a week, and now that I am not receiving that I am devastated. Luckily my rent for August is paid, but I have had to place extensions on my electric bill and phone bill in hopes that Congress will open up a tier five. I have always worked since I was 16 years old. I am not lazy and I would rather have a job because unemployment meets my families basic needs, but until I can get a job I really need to still have my unemployment. Congress PLEASE HELP!!
August 2nd, 2010 @ 12:41 pm
I am 52 years old, I have been out of work 2 years, I went back to school for IT and received certifications in A+ and Net+. The school raved about how many jobs there are in IT. What a lie. There are no start up positions in IT because they have all been outsourced. When you call about your internet service that was my job that is now being handled by people in India or where ever they can pay someone $5.00 a day. Don’t these companies understand that when you outsource that person in India can’t buy your product it’s too expensive. The person that you laid off that could buy your product no longer can. I have years of Admin experience and sales experience, but my age is a huge factor. I pass all the tests they give, I am polite and positive during the interview but they will pick someone half my age. I wish someone would start a company where you have to be at least 50 to work at. It is very disheartening to be judged by your age. We are making it by charging things I never have before like food and gas. We are trying to sell our house and downsize but who’s going to buy it when they can get a foreclosure at a bargain. The government should investigate how many unemployed are over 50 and require companies to have a percentage of their workforce be over 50. I tried to work for telecommunication stores like Sprint and Verizon. Look who’s behind the counter, 21 year old. I know every gadget there is but I would not even be considered because I’m too old to know about technology. Unbelievable age discrimination.
August 2nd, 2010 @ 1:07 pm
I would love to know why these articles aren’t on the front page of MSN? Maybe then we would get the help we deserve!!!This is a serious issue in our country that is being overlooked by perfect hairstyles???? Really?? if thats not a slap in the face. Perfect hair style for every hair length how about the perfect hair style for someone who cant afford to get it cut????
August 4th, 2010 @ 2:50 am
My husband was laid off from his job in Jan, ’09. His EUC ended in June. What I don’t understand is why some get 99 weeks and some don’t. He completed tier 3 and Utah says he isn’t eligible for more.
Anyway, we’ve lost everything. We had to move in with my husband’s son and his family. Our car died. We’ve paid all the bills we can but there is no more money. We made it stretch as far as we could saving $300 a month cutting out all things not necessary and eating dirt cheap. That is how we made it to California and had money as long as we did. I don’t know what we will do now. He is putting apps in all over but we are about to lose our cell phone (the family doesn’t have a land line) so we don’t know how he can even look for work without a phone when the contract is up the end of this month. We’ve already sold everything of value we owned plus most of the rest in yard sales. Not looking to hopeful.
I see you have a follow me on tweet. Can you put on for Facebook?