Lifeline at risk for 2 million jobless

[lostinblue 1,989]

http://money.cnn.com/2010/11/04/news/economy/unemployment_benefits_extension/index.htm

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Two million people will run out of unemployment benefits next month if Congress fails to act in the coming weeks.

The deadline to file for federal unemployment benefits expires on Nov. 30. If it is not pushed back, 800,000 people will stop getting checks within four days, according to the National Employment Law Project, an advocacy group.

Email Print CommentFederal jobless payments, which last up to 73 weeks, kick in after the state-funded 26 weeks of coverage expire. These federal benefits are divided into tiers, and the jobless must apply each time they move into a new tier.

Nearly 9.5 million unemployed Americans have collected federally funded benefits, which average $290 a week, in 2010. Almost 15 million people are without work.

Jobless benefits are credited with keeping 3.3 million people out of poverty last year, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.

Unemployment benefits have become a political football, though the national unemployment rate has hovered just below 10% all year. Both parties have previously said they want to lengthen the federal safety net, but Republicans have temporarily blocked extensions several times this year because they do not want to add to the deficit.

When the deadline expired at the end of May, it took lawmakers 51 days to pass an extension until Nov. 30. The pricetag of that six-month extension was $34 billion.

It could be even more difficult to push back the deadline this time around now that the Republicans have won control of the House and gained seats in the Senate. Though the transfer of power doesn't happen until next year, Democrats will have to work with the GOP to craft a bill.

Congress has a narrow window to act. Lawmakers return on Nov. 15 for a week before taking off for the Thanksgiving holiday. Then they are back for only two days before the Nov. 30 deadline hits.

President Obama on Wednesday urged lawmakers to extend the deadline to file for federal benefits. The jobless pump that money right back into the economy by shopping for groceries and essentials such as winter coats for their children, he said.

"That's also why I think unemployment insurance is important," Obama said. "Not only is it the right thing to do for folks who are still looking for work and struggling in this really tough economy, but it's the right thing to do for the economy as a whole."

House Democrats are expected to push for an extension this month. Republican leaders did not return requests for comment.

By Tami Luhby, senior writerNovember 4, 2010: 5:30 AM ET

We need another operation wetback again.Send the people who are not legal home and put americans back to work. You say americans will not work in the slaughter houses it is bull. Let them go hungry for a week and they will think it is the best place in america to work.Let them pick the lettuce in the fields. 100 weeks on unemployment is crazy. It is time to recognize that a $100,000 degree cannot put food on the table and you need to use your hands and back to make some money.

[Obama 2012 1,714]

ebay, amazon, craigslists, aucitons, McDonalds, Wal-Mart, Target, local retail establishments, etc.... ---- GET A JOB. There's plenty of ways to do it.

No sympathy to a lot of the bums who have been milking the system the past 2 years.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

It is not a "lifeline" what a crock. The amount paid by unemployment can easily be replaced by any number if jobs you can get today, after lunch. I would hire a guy that is working before someone that isn't any day of the week. That is why there is a tax credit for hiring people that sat on their @ss and not for hiring the ones that went out and got a job, any job, which pays better than unemployment.

I will never allow the government to hold the other end of my "lifeline" #######!!!!!!!!

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

ebay, amazon, craigslists, aucitons, McDonalds, Wal-Mart, Target, local retail establishments, etc.... ---- GET A JOB. There's plenty of ways to do it.

No sympathy to a lot of the bums who have been milking the system the past 2 years.

Every McDonald's, Walmart, Target, Lowes, Home Depot, etc. in this area has the "help wanted" sign out. They all pay at or around $10 per hour or better. I would definitley (as a hiring manager) hire a guy that said "I was laid off and took a job at Lowe's" (or McDonalds, or Walmart) before I would hire a guy that says "I make as much to sit on my @ss so I don't work"

And in most states you can work a job that pays less than your old job AND collect partial unemployment which gives you family MORE money and extends your benefits. Unemployment benefits are limited by the amount on "balance" which is 26 weeks at FULL pay, but much longer at partial pay.

[mawilson 2,133]

Well they will get what they voted for. Republicans weren't exactly hiding the fact that they were going to cut unemployment benefits.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Well they will get what they voted for. Republicans weren't exactly hiding the fact that they were going to cut unemployment benefits.

Good. Reduced unemployment benefits will equal reduced unemployment

[mawilson 2,133]

Good. Reduced unemployment benefits will equal reduced unemployment

Or higher crime

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

Or higher crime

Wisconsin elected a Republican governor that has promised to sign the "right to Carry" legislation the next time it is passed by the legislature. Crime will go down and ONLY Illinois will exist as a state that does not allow its citizens tro carry concealed handguns, one way or another.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

I hope that Palin does something about this when she becomes President.

[Usui Takumi 1,562]

Well they will get what they voted for. Republicans weren't exactly hiding the fact that they were going to cut unemployment benefits.

Your probably right, but their official line has been "it must come from the Stimulus Money" which at this point in time is probably the only way it could happen. Having looked for a job and found a job in 2010 I can tell you personally that the extended benefits are needed (maybe not all the tiers but at least 1 and 2). And while I was employed the entire time I searched, it took much longer than in the past. From 2 months to nearly 8.

[mawilson 2,133]

Wisconsin elected a Republican governor that has promised to sign the "right to Carry" legislation the next time it is passed by the legislature. Crime will go down and ONLY Illinois will exist as a state that does not allow its citizens tro carry concealed handguns, one way or another.

So your solution to a high crime rate is more guns?

Let's say an unemployed single mother whose unemployment benefits have just been cut

breaks into your home to steal a loaf of bread to feed her hungry child.

Are you going to shoot her?

[spookyturtle 9,465]

So your solution to a high crime rate is more guns?

Let's say an unemployed single mother whose unemployment benefits have just been cut

breaks into your home to steal a loaf of bread to feed her hungry child.

Are you going to shoot her?

Ask Justashooter.

[Ban Hammer 12,900]

So your solution to a high crime rate is more guns?

Let's say an unemployed single mother whose unemployment benefits have just been cut

breaks into your home to steal a loaf of bread to feed her hungry child.

Are you going to shoot her?

who are you? the real mawilson woulda advocated shooting the kids.

[mawilson 2,133]

who are you? the real mawilson woulda advocated shooting the kids.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

So your solution to a high crime rate is more guns?

Let's say an unemployed single mother whose unemployment benefits have just been cut

breaks into your home to steal a loaf of bread to feed her hungry child.

Are you going to shoot her?

Yes. Until she is dead.

Yes, more guns are the solution to high crime. The fewer the restrictions the lower the crime. Vermont has no restrictions on carrying guns and virtually no crime. Your scenario will not happen here. But if someone did break in my house, yes I would kill them. I believe in equal rights so it makes no difference if it is a woman and I will not ask for her resume before I shoot.