Attn: Unemployed & Tier 5 Extension Thread

[doni49]

I am really concerned about this because when my benefits run out, I won't have a spouse's income to assist me. But yet, I still need to buy medications, food etc.

[WhatMoney]

once they terminate all the what happens to the stats on unemployment????????? who's keeping accurate records NOW about the unemployment rate.

of course once WE are now UNCOUNTED what is that going to do with the unemployment numbers....ahhhhhhhhhh....let's see now...GUESS what they go down.....NO NEW jobs..NOPE...but once people are off the roles who's counting them in the unemployment figures.

sooooo then all the politicians can now say...SEE unemployment was at 9.6% and now we are at 5%....because the other 4.6% are in the streets and in food lines....it's just a wonderful Christmas present to all....

Unemployment Insurance is NOT used by the BLS to calculate national unemployment numbers. So all your questions and comments above are mute. It's a common misconception that UI determines the unemployment rate among Internet laymen (and laywomen). Not sure why that is. No matter how long you have been unemployed you are counted as long as you still want to and are able to work, in one or more of the U-1 through U-6 unemployment categories. The BLS explains it all very clearly here:

Because unemployment insurance records relate only to persons who have applied for such benefits, and because it is impractical to actually count every unemployed person each month, the Government conducts a monthly sample survey called the Current Population Survey (CPS) to measure the extent of unemployment in the country. The CPS has been conducted in the United States every month since 1940 when it began as a Work Projects Administration program. It has been expanded and modified several times since then.

What do the unemployment insurance (UI) figures measure?
The UI figures are not produced by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Statistics on insured unemployment in the United States are collected as a by-product of UI programs. Workers who lose their jobs and are covered by these programs typically file claims ("initial claims") that serve as notice that they are beginning a period of unemployment. Claimants who qualify for benefits are counted in the insured unemployment figures (as "continued claims"). Data on UI claims are maintained by the Employment and Training Administration, an agency of the U.S. Department of Labor, and are available on the Internet at: http://workforcesecurity.doleta.gov/unemploy/claims.asp .
[NOTE: weekly unemployment insurance claims issued by each state are unrelated to the monthly BLS unemployment rates. You appear to be mixing up two entirely different set of numbers.]

The UI data are NOT used to measure total unemployment because they exclude several important groups. To begin with, not all workers are covered by UI programs. For example, self-employed workers, unpaid family workers, workers in certain not-for-profit organizations, and several other small (primarily seasonal) worker categories are not covered. In addition, the insured unemployed exclude the following:

* Unemployed workers who have exhausted their benefits.
* Unemployed workers who have not yet earned benefit rights (such as new entrants or reentrants to the labor force).
* Disqualified workers whose unemployment is considered to have resulted from their own actions rather than from economic conditions; for example, a worker discharged for misconduct on the job.
* Otherwise eligible unemployed persons who do not file for benefits.

Much more information here in this FAQ: http://www.bls.gov/cps/faq.htm

[helpme2010]

Here is what EDD website for California is saying:

No Impact for Customers who have Run Out of Maximum Benefits

The federal legislation signed by President Obama does not have an effect on the almost 237,000 individuals in California who have already run out of the maximum amount of extension benefits available. That maximum remains up to 99 weeks of benefits. A new bill was just introduced in Congress that would add an additional tier of extension benefits but there are no reports yet of any significant movement on the bill. EDD will be closely monitoring any developments on this issue.

[tcreegan]

...and FYI, the bill in Congress is not retroactive, so if you run out of benefits b4 they get it passed (if they pass it) there is no coverage for the gap.

Not only contact your Senators, but send a message to the Senators on the Finance Committee, get the bill onto the floor for a vote !!

Tom in Colo

[helpme2010]

I feel for all of you that have posted your personal stories. This post by AngelinaCat troubled me.

I too have paid into the unemployment fund for over 20 years, as well as 50% added by the employers for all those years.

My girlfriend has been unemployed for a long period as well and she can't qualify for unemployment. So I help her wherever I can and we look for clever ways to lower our expenses.

I was watching Rachel Maddow last night and she was mentioning how the democrats still have power as lame ducks until January 1st and that they should use this time to try to push through unemployment and other social programs while they still have a chance. I was posting earlier that compromise with the republicans by accepting some of their agenda will be the only way to get some of this legislation through. But I hope congress just rams this unemployment extension through while they still have a chance. Whats the worst that can happen, they get some backlash from the other side? That's happening on a daily basis anyways, so why not use this last time slot to help us out.

Oh well, wishful thinking I guess.

Here is what is posted on the Florida website. This updated as of November 8, 2010:

UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION HOT TOPICS


Important Dates for Unemployment Compensation Beneficiaries

Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC)

* November 20, 2010 – Under current federal law, customers receiving regular state unemployment benefits must exhaust those benefits by the week ending November 20, 2010 to be eligible for additional federal EUC benefits.

* November 27, 2010 - Under current federal law, customers already receiving federal EUC benefits may be eligible for the next tier (EUC Tiers II, III, or IV) provided their previous tier is exhausted by the week ending November 27, 2010.

* November 28, 2010 - Under current federal law, whichever tier EUC customers are in as of November 28, 2010 will be the final tier for which they will qualify. While EUC customers will be allowed to complete their current tier, they will not be able to advance to the next tier.

* April 30, 2011 - Under current federal law, EUC benefits will not be paid after the week ending April 30, 2011.

* At this time, no additional EUC benefits have been enacted by Congress. Only the federal government can extend the EUC program.

* The Agency for Workforce Innovation will notify customers by mail when they receive their final EUC payments.

Extended Benefits (EB)

* November 27, 2010 - Under current law, customers who exhaust all entitlement to regular state benefits and EUC by the week ending November 27, 2010 can establish eligibility for EB.

* December 4, 2010 – Due to federal funding limitations, Extended Benefits (EB) will no longer be paid after the week ending December 4, 2010. Amounts remaining on customers’ EB accounts beyond the week ending December 4 will no longer be payable.

* The Agency for Workforce Innovation will notify customers by mail when they receive their final EB payments.

Federal Additional Compensation (FAC)

* December 11, 2010 - Under current federal law, FAC (the additional $25 weekly benefits) will not be paid after the week ending December 11, 2010.

* The Agency for Workforce Innovation will notify customers by mail when they receive their final FAC payments.

Updated November 8, 2010

http://www.floridajobs.org/unemployment/hottopics.html

[researchnerd]

Those over 50 now who are unemployed may need to resign themselves to the fact that they may totally need to change careers and out of fields in which they have degrees, experience, etc. and try to get into the health care arena where the jobs will increase. Believe it or not, the funeral arena will be another boom area also.

Absolutely true. The other thing to consider is starting your own business. DH has gotten so fed up with looking for work, and he's convinced that many of the jobs in his industry aren't coming back ever, so he's working on this right now. It's very slow progress because he has zero investment capital, but everything he makes goes right back into the business and it's gradually building. The main requirement for the business is time, and he's got plenty of that.

Also if necessary people need to realize they may have to move in with family or go on public assistance if there are no jobs. The moving in with family is occurring like crazy right now and multi-generation housing is the new wave for construction out there due to all this.

Another excellent point. This is fairly common in European countries because housing is so expensive, and we Americans may need to figure out how to do it too. Barring the unforeseen, we won't have to move in with family, but my 18-yr-old DS may not be able to move out when he finishes high school this spring. He's been looking for work for the past year, and the only thing available is less than 15 hours a week and below minimum wage. Even with roommates, there's no way he can survive on that.

[tobee43]

I guess I am glad that I can claim my weeks via the Internet, and don't have to deal with a real, live person. In years past, when I have had to claim unemployment, I had to go appear in person before a minimum wage clerk, every two weeks. Though we were getting 'our own money' that had been taken out of our checks by our employers for that unemployment insurance, the clerks would look down their noses at us as though we were the 'scum of the earth'.

actually, we have been so fortunate in as much as the unemployment office personnel, they have been so kind...actually we do our claims via internet and the supervisor of that office in another state...gave us her personal number so we could reach her. also the vets admin. personnel have been great.

her reaction to the stopping of the extension was giving us the the local congressman phone number! she further explained she has people going hungry...no housing...no place to go if they can't pay their rents with their ui insurance....it's really sad.

we lived in a county that had many poor....and many well to do ...so they are seeing some really sad situations come out of this. it's so scary.

like i have said before we are luckier than most with a small pension and early ss...we can manage just barely without the funds...not like many would will not be able to.

[AngelinaCat]

I guess I am glad that I can claim my weeks via the Internet, and don't have to deal with a real, live person. In years past, when I have had to claim unemployment, I had to go appear in person before a minimum wage clerk, every two weeks. Though we were getting 'our own money' that had been taken out of our checks by our employers for that unemployment insurance, the clerks would look down their noses at us as though we were the 'scum of the earth'.

[tobee43]

I totally agree. I made some *interesting* comments as I read that while formatting the page for posting.

it's just so funny that they consider us customers....what the heck??? but you know, "customer"...."cattle"....i guess it's just their "term" for us unemployed humans??

[AngelinaCat]

just one added comment here...we are NOT customers of unemployment....we PAID in......for over 50 years........for insurance....

I totally agree. I made some *interesting* comments as I read that while formatting the page for posting.

[tobee43]

we are in the SAME boat as everyone else...we have 2 more checks left.....and we only had 2 extensions...but tons of them...

here's an interesting aspect:

once they terminate all the unemployment insurance what happens to the stats on unemployment????????? who's keeping accurate records NOW about the unemployment rate.

of course once WE are now UNCOUNTED what is that going to do with the unemployment numbers....ahhhhhhhhhh....let's see now...GUESS what they go down.....NO NEW jobs..NOPE...but once people are off the roles who's counting them in the unemployment figures.

when they stop the unemployment benefits ....which personally this family still have over 46k we contributed IN in the past 50 years....(i know many states do not have employee contributions but our state did)...we won't even get OUR own money back???

sooooo then all the politicians can now say...SEE unemployment was at 9.6% and now we are at 5%....because the other 4.6% are in the streets and in food lines....it's just a wonderful Christmas present to all....

just one added comment here...we are NOT customers of unemployment....we PAID in......for over 50 years........for insurance....

[AngelinaCat]

Here is what is posted on the Florida website. This updated as of November 8, 2010:

UNEMPLOYMENT COMPENSATION HOT TOPICS


Important Dates for Unemployment Compensation Beneficiaries

Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC)

* November 20, 2010 – Under current federal law, customers receiving regular state unemployment benefits must exhaust those benefits by the week ending November 20, 2010 to be eligible for additional federal EUC benefits.

* November 27, 2010 - Under current federal law, customers already receiving federal EUC benefits may be eligible for the next tier (EUC Tiers II, III, or IV) provided their previous tier is exhausted by the week ending November 27, 2010.

* November 28, 2010 - Under current federal law, whichever tier EUC customers are in as of November 28, 2010 will be the final tier for which they will qualify. While EUC customers will be allowed to complete their current tier, they will not be able to advance to the next tier.

* April 30, 2011 - Under current federal law, EUC benefits will not be paid after the week ending April 30, 2011.

* At this time, no additional EUC benefits have been enacted by Congress. Only the federal government can extend the EUC program.

* The Agency for Workforce Innovation will notify customers by mail when they receive their final EUC payments.

Extended Benefits (EB)

* November 27, 2010 - Under current law, customers who exhaust all entitlement to regular state benefits and EUC by the week ending November 27, 2010 can establish eligibility for EB.

* December 4, 2010 – Due to federal funding limitations, Extended Benefits (EB) will no longer be paid after the week ending December 4, 2010. Amounts remaining on customers’ EB accounts beyond the week ending December 4 will no longer be payable.

* The Agency for Workforce Innovation will notify customers by mail when they receive their final EB payments.

Federal Additional Compensation (FAC)

* December 11, 2010 - Under current federal law, FAC (the additional $25 weekly benefits) will not be paid after the week ending December 11, 2010.

* The Agency for Workforce Innovation will notify customers by mail when they receive their final FAC payments.

Updated November 8, 2010

http://www.floridajobs.org/unemployment/hottopics.html

[Flamingo]

My hubby lost his job due to a merger in 2/01. We had to file in 4/02 due to the income loss. We learned from that in case a job loss ever occurred again for either of us. It did for my hubby again with this economy in March of this year and that was with a job for which he did a complete career turnaround as he could not find another position in his high-tech field and he used to travel the world and was in demand for his expertise. He just renewed his unemployment benefits. He is 58. He too cannot find anything and has been on several interviews, a few very promising, but it is obvious his age is the main factor as there are so many younger people out there unemployed who would take any job and have degrees out the whazoo. Those over 50 now who are unemployed may need to resign themselves to the fact that they may totally need to change careers and out of fields in which they have degrees, experience, etc. and try to get into the health care arena where the jobs will increase. Believe it or not, the funeral arena will be another boom area also. My hubby has a part time job along with his unemployment benefits which are adjusted to accomodate that and it is possible when his benefits run out that it could become full time. No guarantee. It is just a clerk job at a gas station from 11 at night to 7:00 a.m. two nights a week. We survive on my good salary and benefits and learned from our previous experience which saved us when we knew his job was in jeopardy and the nationwide business closing. We will be fine but I certainly understand and have been through the predicament and the hopelessness involved as to what to do or not to do.

Also if necessary people need to realize they may have to move in with family or go on public assistance if there are no jobs. The moving in with family is occurring like crazy right now and multi-generation housing is the new wave for construction out there due to all this. It's the times, it's the economy...there are many in the boomer generation arena who cannot yet even think about retiring or those younger who just cannot even get a job over the past few years and it's a major, major situation for some who may not have family or other options available.

[Fallonedward]

I so agree, its very difficult to gain employment after 50, its like you are too old and should be sent out to pasture. The company I work for had 30,000 employes six years ago and they are now down to 900 in North America. The have outsourced the bulk of their jobs oversees all the while laying off thousands of employees.

My hubby spends 8 + hours a day at the library applying to jobs in addition to attending job fairs, UI classes, worker re training classes and the list goes on and on. My hubby has his MBA and never thought he would be in this position.

We as a country need to rally and get the politicians off their arses

It just irks me that people (like myself) who have worked for so many, many years now can't find jobs and they then want to stop the extensions??? What is going on in America? THEY (whomever the they are) allowed so many jobs to go overseas, while our people are begging for them. And now, after so many years of paying our taxes and being good citizens, we are criticized for not working.

It is not our fault that there are no jobs for us out there. It is just not our fault.

Maybe us elder workers should set up tent cities when the extensions end. If there were enough of us, they'd have to do something.

[helpme2010]

It's funny, I was raised with the philosophy that if you worked your butt off and volunteered for additional work outside your immediate responsibility, you would be rewarded with a secure job, raises, etc. But I have been the victim of 2 companies that sold off to other companies, including one of those companies that sued me for voicing my concerns as a shareholder on public message boards. These companies including one I worked for for 17 years making them the largest in their industry, simply threw us out to the gutter, losing 17 years of investment we made in the company and our careers. Stock options? They screwed us by keeping the stock price low for the several years we were allowed to exercise, so we were paid virtually nothing in the deal.

I would not even have filed BK had my mortgage company not cut my home equity credit line which I had always relied on when I lost a job to help hold me until I found a new job.

Regarding those of you that bring up outsourcing our jobs to India, this makes me think about those people that say people who are unemployed are lazy, yet if we are at a true 17% unemployment rate (which is the true rate, not 9.5%+), or if you say something like 1 out of 7 are unemployed, we have a true issue with the fact that around 10% of the people simply won't find work.

Have you ever gone on an interview and then a second interview with the company but one person simply got the job and you didn't. Perhaps you placed #2 or #3 out of 300 people, you ranked #2 or #3. So does that mean you are the next in line for the next interview? No, you simply start over with the next dozen interviews (after applying for dozens of unanswered jobs). And what about the people that simply rank #10 or #12, are we going to treat them like dirt because they aren't #1 in ranking? Not everyone can be perfect or be a winner; they simply want to work and put food on their table and enjoy some of the basic benefits of life that we all take for granted.

I am positive I will find a job by the first quarter of next year. I am just hoping the government will extend the benefits to help me put food on the table until this happens.