Unemployment Benefits Extension – More Unemployed Americans Lose Benefits in 2010?
Posted on | December 8, 2009 | 19 Comments
The unemployment benefits extension that was recently signed is definitely going to help millions of Americans for a few more weeks but it looks like the recession could get worse for many laid-off Americans. Over 3.2 million unemployed individuals will run out of unemployment benefits in the first quarter of 2010. The unemployment benefits extension that was signed into law last month covers only payments that expire by the end of December.
The unthinkable end to unemployment benefits is causing many to call on Congress to extend unemployment benefits before they recess for the end of 2009. Many politicians and financial analysts feel that is the unemployment insurance extension is not completed that the recession will continue to dig deep into 2010 and the economy could worsen. The call on Congress comes just weeks after President Obama signed the unemployment benefits extension that allows benefits for another 14 weeks in all states and 20 weeks for states with an unemployment level of 8.5% or higher.
Unfortunately the program is only authorized through December 31st, 2009. This means that many unemployed Americans would not meet the year-end deadline and they would be ineligible for the extension of their unemployment benefits. The state that will be hit the hardest is California with 589,000 unemployed Americans set to see the expiration of their benefits in the first three months of next year. Other states that are likely to be hard hit are Florida, New York, Texas, Illinois and Michigan.
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Author: Alan Lake
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19 Responses to “Unemployment Benefits Extension – More Unemployed Americans Lose Benefits in 2010?”
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December 8th, 2009 @ 12:47 pm
My benefits expire 1 week AFTER the December dealine. I am not on any extensions as this was my initial claim. The state of NJ has informed me that as of right now, I WILL NOT be eligible for any extensions unless Congress pushes for extending that date.
Meanwhile, there are people out there who have been unemployed for over a year longer than me who are getting the EUC benefits. This is BS and Congress needs to do something.
December 8th, 2009 @ 2:41 pm
my benefits run out the second week of january…i have had a hard time locating articles concerning/addressing this issue.
December 8th, 2009 @ 3:15 pm
I took a job that only lasted 8 days. My unemployment was due to expire on the 28th of Dec. Now I get punished for taking a job. I will be out of benifets in 6 wks now insted of having 20 comming if I did not go to work.
December 8th, 2009 @ 5:50 pm
Unfortunately we are all screwed being on UI. No one wants to be unemployed, but the truth is many of us are broke and need these benefits to pay rent and buy food. Congress is composed of the same mindless people year after year. Next time you vote – if you are still around – do not vote for the same idiots regardless of which party you belong to. We need change now. Obama’s slogan was YES WE CAN. I wish he would DO IT. What a country. Going down the tubes. I don’t see much hope on the horizon.
December 9th, 2009 @ 5:55 am
So he took away our dignity and now our way of support. More homeless people in the future for sure.
December 9th, 2009 @ 7:40 am
Gary, does NJ have an Extended Benefits program like PA does?? If so, you may qualify for that (additional 13 weeks of benefits). My Tier 1 extension runs out January 2nd. So far, PA is still in an Extended Benefits period,so I should qualify, but in early February, my Benefit Year expires. I’m hoping also for any gov’t intervention too.
December 9th, 2009 @ 8:30 am
Andrew, the EB program is also tied into the stimulus and is set to expire on 12/31/09 so you need to quadruple check to make sure you can receive them. Make sure to read this from NELP. It’s a breakdown of all benefits and VERY helpful.
http://www.americanprogressaction.org/issues/2009/12/line_of_defense.html
“However, the ARRA made the EB program 100 percent federally funded. As a result of this federal incentive more than half of the states adopted the optional formula to trigger on the program. Unfortunately, these state laws also sunset to terminate the benefits when the ARRA’s federal funding runs out in December.”
December 9th, 2009 @ 8:34 am
My benefits run out on Jan 2, and this is because I had a couple weeks of work during my unemployment. Guess I should have sat on my butt and done nothing!
December 9th, 2009 @ 9:46 am
I am in the exact same situation as Gary – it is so frustrating. People who have been off for nearly 2 years are entitled to more than I am! I have posted this info on several LinkedIn groups to try to get people to write their politicians, but people don’t understand what’s going on!
The Gov’t will probably act, but when???
December 9th, 2009 @ 10:45 am
How do I know what date my unemployment benefits end? I am on my initial claim – which started Aug 2009 – NJ. I have been trying to call unemployment but can’t get throught – line is always busy. Is there somewhere on line where I can find out how long I can collect benefits for???
December 9th, 2009 @ 10:58 am
Just read the article on the unemployment benefits. Hope all remember next election we really need to get people back in office that are going to represent the people of this country and not their parties interests.After working 45 years I am now unemployed because my mill shut down because of the economy and NJ bad tax laws for business. Obahma is clueless. He really needs to return to getting welfare for his buddies and organizing the welfare rolls and leave his hands off what working people do. that is one group he no’s nothing about. His real field is getting hand outs for that part of the population that never worked, never will work and feels life should be handed to them.
December 9th, 2009 @ 12:42 pm
I am in the same situation as my benefits are set to expire in January 2010. That will end 26 weeks of UI. It is beyond me how others like me get hit with a timing glitch, while many have been on UI for up to 99 weeks. PLUS, unemployment is way higher now and it is the most difficult time to get a job. Our Congress is from Hell and could care less. After all, they have managed to save all the banks and high salaries of Wall St. executives! One final note, I read NJ as well as PA have automic extensions that will come into play. I have also had a hard time finding any information, but did find the following article:
http://www.philly.com/philly/business/homepage/20091117_Extension_of_jobless_benefits_won_t_help_many.html
December 9th, 2009 @ 9:19 pm
Gary your an idiot… be lucky you had your job up until 26 weeks ago. If i had my job up to 26 weeks ago i wouldnt even need the extension. think of it in other ways you jerk off.
December 9th, 2009 @ 10:16 pm
What difference does it make if someone has been unemployed for 2 years or 1 year? Not having an income sucks the same for everyone! If there is no work or no hiring its not a persons fault that they’re eligible for unemployment and for such a long time thank God! should length of time be a reason to exclude them from extensions? what is happening in this country is the reason why people are out of work for as long as they are and why these extensions are happening in the first place. What bothers me is how long it was held up because of politics. Shameful!!!! people are hungry, cant pay their mortgages,people are going without there needs being met due to the games of those that run and rule our country.
December 9th, 2009 @ 10:37 pm
I waited just over two months before initiating my claim due to guilt and as a result, my benefits run out in January so I won’t be eligible. I’m thankful for the help that is offered but if congress would consider similar cases in that the employees that held their job through the worst of the recession are the ones that will be left without benefits for the new year.
December 13th, 2009 @ 9:49 am
We are all in the same boat whether being out of work 1 week or 1 year. People are suffering while Washington continues to play blue vs. red politics. It’s a joke. I have contacted my senator and congressman regarding extending EUC program past the 12/31 deadline and of course got no response. My benefits run out 1/30, and from what I have read I am one of millions of americans whose UE benefits will expire within the 1st quarter of ’10. Media outlets and prognosticators are fooling themselves when they say recession is ending. When these benefits end, it will get alot worse. However, it will be reported that unemployment numbers are improving because people will be dropping off of unemployment. I am tired of voting for leaders who make promises to get elected, then help their cronies on wall street when they are in office. It’s time for a main street revolt.
December 17th, 2009 @ 12:33 pm
why do people who are above 65, drawing social security and retirement benefits draw unemployment also? I know people who have been doing this for a year and a half.
December 18th, 2009 @ 9:12 am
I have been laid off since june. I have hundreds of applications in to go to work and no replies, nada.I too am confused about the extensions and I am worried I will lose everything I worked 40 years for. I am 55 years old, with all the young people out of work also, who is going to hire me?I have taken out my 401 k before I got unemployment so theres no going there.The president calls the bankers fatcats while I call Washington the fatcats, they don’t have to worry about paying the electric bill, or food to eat or no health insurance or losing their home. I bet they will have a wonderful Christmas this year!I am so sick of the rich getting richer and the ones of us that work our a**es off all of our lives getting no where.Just to live a normal basics only life takes 30 -75% more of the paychecks we WERE bringing home, and what about the people on SSI ? no mere $20 for them this year.What are they to do? But the fatcats will be warm and toasty and have their fill of food and drink and not have a worry in the world.It makes me sick!!And what happened to”and justice for all?”
January 13th, 2010 @ 11:16 am
since being on unemployment ive worked 2 or 3 days per month while still collecting now my regular uc is up and they think i can pay for these overpayments now? still have bills and mortgage seems like a no win to me….