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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsFear And Hopelessness As Five Families Prepare To Lose Unemployment Benefits
http://www.buzzfeed.com/jacobfischler/fear-and-hopelessness-as-five-families-prepare-to-lose-unempJob seekers enter a job fair at a new Target retail store on Aug. 15, 2013, in San Francisco. Hundreds of job seekers applied for jobs during a job fair to staff a new Target city store. Justin Sullivan / Getty Images
About 1.3 million long-term unemployed Americans will stop receiving federal unemployment benefits beginning Saturday, the consequence over a debate in Washington about the size and role of government.
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Bruce and Celeste Leibowitz Brooklyn, N.Y.
In 2009, Bruce Leibowitz was laid off from his job at the National Envelope Corporation in Long Island City, N.Y. Since then hes struggled to find long-term employment. Hes held several odd jobs since, but none have lasted. Hes been on unemployment three of the last five years, supported in part by his wife, Celeste, who works as a freelance fundraiser.
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Randy Russo Chicago, Ill.
Randy Russo, 50, lost his job as a design project manager in March. Dipping into his savings, Russo attends web design classes under the Work Investment Act (WIA), trying to improve his employment odds. Hes worked in the graphics field for the last 35 years, but the job requirements have changed since he started. It took four months just to be approved for the WIA program and itll take another several months to complete. Until then, hes looked for part-time work thats been tough to come by.
Kerstin Foster Naugatuck, Conn.
Kerstin Foster, 45, expects to start work as an office administrator for a civil engineering company on Feb. 1, though she says that date can be pushed back at any time. Her last contract ended in January, and she hasnt found work since. She has lived off emergency unemployment benefits and the $120 per week she gets in child support for her 13-year-old son; she also supports her 23-year-old son, who lives with her and has also been unable to find work.
This is about real people, not abstract economic theories.
These aren't lazy people who were happy to get by on their inadequate unemployment checks. Living on unemployment is not a picnic. If you're on unemployment that means that you are bringing in less money than when you were when working and, since millions of working people live hand to mouth, and had monthly budgets based on their employed income, living on unemployment is NOT a free ride. It is NOT something that takes away the incentive to find employment. It IS something that hopefully keeps your head above water and slows down the descent into bankruptcy while making it possible to hang on and continue looking for work.
Anyone who thinks that cutting it off is doing them a favour is an idiot or at least is severely sheltered from the reality most Americans face.
Le Taz Hot
(22,271 posts)They're all 45 and over.
progressoid
(49,992 posts)Packerowner740
(676 posts)I was also starting to have some pretty serious health issues. Went on unemployment until that ran out but thank god I was approved for disability a year ago. I know how tough it is to find a job once you hit that age. They want to employ the younger kids they can pay half as much.
SheilaT
(23,156 posts)While older workers do seem to be taking the brunt of it, there is an across the board loss of jobs.
dixiegrrrrl
(60,010 posts)I know the state programs vary, but do not know the federal terms.
Got good news and bad news from my 2 sons, who live across the country from me.
the unemployed one has found a job....yayyy.
The employed one has been laid off.....crap.
redqueen
(115,103 posts)There was a 13-week extension in place (IIRC) but that was eliminated in this last fiasco.
It will hit some states harder than others. I hope all of those who are hurt by this failure remember who fought for them.
abelenkpe
(9,933 posts)Honest question. Personally feeling quite abandoned. Can't let the kiddos know though.
ConservativeDemocrat
(2,720 posts)- C.D. Proud Member of the Reality Based Community
abelenkpe
(9,933 posts)Seriously disappointed more aren't pushing to extend.
ConservativeDemocrat
(2,720 posts)It's the VOTERS who have to push. Not the President. You think the Congressional GOP cares what the President thinks?
- C.D. Proud Member of the Reality Based Community
Demo_Chris
(6,234 posts)ProSense
(116,464 posts)SheilaT
(23,156 posts)and not funny joke: To every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.
Great that one found a job, hope the other is re-employed soon.
dixiegrrrrl
(60,010 posts)that is my main concern, knowing the dynamics of this "new America".
I really worry what will happen to them over the next 20 years.
KG
(28,752 posts)DirkGently
(12,151 posts)We can help, but we choose not to. Because cruelty has become a religion and even the most rational, beneficial kindness is its greatest sin.
Berlum
(7,044 posts)Lady Freedom Returns
(14,120 posts)Demo_Chris
(6,234 posts)Are you willing to decouple unemployment compensation payments from income while employed?