One million could lose jobless benefits in March

[1776Forever]

By Tami Luhby, senior writer
February 19, 2010: 6:12 PM ET

http://money.cnn.com/2010/02/19/news/economy/unemployment_benefits/?postversion=2010021918

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- More than 1 million people could lose their jobless benefits and health insurance subsidy in March if Congress doesn't act fast.

When it returns from the President's Day recess on Monday, the Senate will have one week to extend the deadlines to apply for federal unemployment benefits and the COBRA health insurance subsidy. Currently, the jobless have until Feb. 28 to sign up.



Without an extension, people receiving state jobless benefits won't be able to apply for additional federally paid unemployment insurance, and anyone already receiving those checks could be cut off....

Lawmakers were on track last week to introduce legislation that would have extended the deadlines to May 31 at a cost of $25 billion over 10 years. But Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., decided Thursday to offer a slimmed-down job creation package that did not include the provision.

But Reid plans to address the jobless benefits deadlines when Congress returns next week, a Senate Democratic aide said.

"We also hope to pass an extension of expiring provisions, including unemployment insurance and COBRA, next week," the aide said. "With Republican cooperation, we should be able to do so."

..........

OK now what - I posted a 15 day extension is in the works - just trying to get this on the radar!

:hide:

[Love Bug]

1. I'm on unemployment and this is what was explained to me

I called the MN unemployment customer service last month to discuss what will happen after Feb 28th if congress doesn't act to extend benefits: Those currently receiving UI benefits will continue to do so until their current federal extension runs out. After that, nada. It doesn't matter if you are in the 2nd tier or the 4th, when your extension runs out, that's it. No one will be cut off on Monday mid-extension, like the article implies.

So Reid plans to address this this week, when states are already sending out letters informing their unemployed of the cut off? Gee thanks, Harry. This deadline was not news to you. Why didn't you address this a month ago? But no, why not cost the already-strapped states even MORE money by forcing what will hopefully be an unnecessary mailing, not to mention the increased panic calls to UI customer service and the programming time necessary to make the change in their computers.

So, Harry, don't call me excited about all of this "hope to pass an extension" business until I read that Obama has actually signed off on it. I'll take the measly 13 weeks, by golly, and maybe by the time that expires and we have to go through this all over again, this country will actually have stopped experiencing NEGATIVE job-growth numbers. But I doubt it. I'm already at the point where I'm trying to decide what to do with my belongings when I lose my house in a few months when I can't find a fucking job. But sleep well at night, Harry.

And Nancy: thanks for passing the House jobs bill in DECEMBER, asking for a six-month UI benefit extension. Too bad the Senate has proven once again to be the bottle-neck in getting anything done in a timely manner. At least you tried.

[Gman2]

2. I want to know how many new prisons we'll need, for those who cant pay taxes

on being unemployed for two years.

[Love Bug]

3. Look on the bright side -- at least we'll have a roof over our heads!

:sarcasm:

[1776Forever]

5. I was thinking the same damn thing! How do they expect those people to live?

It is just so disgusting but then again there are so many with "jobs" that I guess they think 1 million is a drop in the bucket and they aren't worried about them!

[Love Bug]

6. Actually, 1 million is only the beginning

Those are the people who lose benefits in March. I lose mine in April, then there will be more in May. By the beginning of June all of the federal extensions will be done and there will be probably 5 million or more dropped from UI benefits. Buy hey -- the unemployment numbers will look better! Woo-hoo!

Yes, I am bitter. And angry. I'm so angry at our government right now I can hardy type straight. They fucking let this happen by cow-towing, time and time and time again, to big-money interests at the expense of the middle class. I've been working since 1972 and this is the longest I've ever been unemployed. I've EARNED these goddam benefits and this goddam country owes ALL OF US something for the fucking mess they created. Even those with jobs are suffering every day with the stress of forced increased productivity due to layoffs, not to mention the stress of knowing their job could disappear tomorrow. So, yeah, this effects us all, employed or not.

I'd like to see this issue get as much play on DU as Health Care reform but it doesn't seem to be on many DUer's radar. Until they lose their job, of course.

[1776Forever]

8. Yes, Yes, Yes, it doesn't seem to get the adrenaline going until someone gets in the boat with us!

And as you say by May the boat will be a ship called Titanic if something isn't done soon!

[ipaint]

14. You and me both. nt.

[1776Forever]

4. We had huge yard sales - notice sales - when we lost our home. Hope the best for you!

I know it doesn't help to say there are so many like (us) you out there but it is so darn true and so sad! Let's hope they wake up!

[Love Bug]

7. Thanks. Yeah, that's an option once the snow melts!

I'm sorry to hear you had to go through that. Since when did forclosure become part of the American Dream? Is this why our fathers and grandfather fought in WWII? I think not.

The only thing that keeps me sane right now is knowing my congress-critters, Keith Ellison and Al Franken, have my back on this.

[1776Forever]

9. Yes my hero is Ohio Senator Sherrod Brown - Thank God for these wonderful public servants!

They must have to swallow hard these days when they see what deals are being done in Washington!
:beer:

[proudohioan]

10. Actually, it does help.....

knowing that others are in the same boat. We tend to feel so isolated, depressed and ashamed, as if it were our faults. I'm still struggling with "where did I go wrong"....

Best of luck to you.

t.

[Love Bug]

11. Thanks. I'm still going through the "woulda-coulda-shoulda's" myself

Wish I'd saved more money. Wish I had finished college. Wish I had found someone to marry so I wouldn't have to go through this alone. Woulda, coulda, shoulda. Now I'm 55 and the likelihood I can do something about any of those in the time I have left decreases every year.

Jesus, I'm so depressed.

[proudohioan]

12. Here's hugs to you...

:hug:

You know, I'd love to tell you not to be depressed...... but I'm right there with you. I'm 48, jobless, wish I'd never gone BACK to college (and didn't even finish this time around) and racked up a zillion $$$$ worth of debt for a worthless piece of paper from one of those junk "get started now and be working in your dream career in 18 months" schools. On a GOOD day, I get out of my PJ's at 9:00am..... I have given up looking for any type of work.

What to do?

t.

[Love Bug]

16. Well, hugs back at ya!

:hug:

Yeah, it's really hard to get up in the morning but I have no choice. If I don't find work, I'll be either living in my car or sleeping on my sister's couch. Neither one is acceptable to me. Also, if it comes to that "they" win and fuck that.

Back in the 90s when Clinton was still president, do you all recall how low the jobless rate was and how even fast food places were begging for people and wages starting to go up? It was definitely a job-seeker's market and I used to wonder how long it was going to last and what "they" were going to do to destroy it. I guess we know now, don't we? We got "Bush-ed" and it's been a fast trip down the Luge of Economic Disaster ever since.

:tinfoilhat:

[proudohioan]

24. Yes, I remember quite well "the good 'ol days"....

Do you remember companies offering "sign on" bonuses? Now, not only are those sign on bonuses long gone, but I've also noticed that starting salary ranges are slipping way down, too. A customer service job that was advertising $11-$14 per hour back in 2005 was advertising $8-$10 per hour in 2007...... as an example. It feels like it's going down hill fast.

I already did the "doubling up" bit about a year ago. IMO, that was the worst aspect of the Bush administrations destruction of the economy; losing my independence. Now my only source of income is food stamps (I'm lucky, single mom, so I qualify for food stamps).

[1776Forever]

23. Thought I would pass this on! Looks better! Check out this link below:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7779134

[proudohioan]

25. Thanks for passing on the good news!

I'm not personally receiving UI, but it's wonderful news for everyone out there that is living on the edge.

I often wonder where the breaking point is? I have two friends back in Denver; both have been unemployed for years; one ended up losing her house and moved back in with her parents (at age 44) and the other ended up applying for and receiving some sort of disability (SSI? SSDI? I can't remember which) as her only source of income.

I guess people will do what they have to do in order to keep a roof over their heads and food on the table. It sure is sad that it's come to this.

t.

:)

[ipaint]

13. Tier 2 expires march 1st for my husband...

If our rich, perpetually pampered representatives don't get off their butts and DO something to extend benefits we are living in our truck on the 12th.

We have worked all our lives and have been under and/or unemployed since mid 2006 and at 53 and 56 respectively, there are no jobs in sight. At some point they will decide to cull the long term unemployed especially folks our age range. All I am hoping is that one of us gets a minimum wage job before that happens. We have cut our expenses down to the bone. Needless to say health care is not even something we dream about any longer.

[Love Bug]

17. Hugs for you and your hubby too, ipaint

:hug:

I don't even know what to tell you. Maybe we'll get lucky and the Senate will pass something this week. *crossing fingers*

[1776Forever]

19. I hope they listen to the people out here like you that really need this NOW!

Doesn't it just irk you that these so called "public servants" have NO IDEA what so ever is really going on in middle class homes of America?

[1776Forever]

22. Good news finally - Read post:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x7779134

[OhioChick]

15. Shhhh.....Nothing to see here

K&R

[amborin]

18. K&R and new permanent underclass:

http://www.economicpopulist.org/content/war-middle-class

[tonysam]

20. New report is here

Reid seeks extension of jobless aid:

Majority Leader Harry Reid is pressing to extend unemployment benefits and health insurance subsidies for the jobless through December as he and Republicans try to figure out a way to clear the Senate’s plate of business left over from last year.




Reid also hopes to keep helping cash-strapped states with their Medicaid budgets, he said Tuesday on the Senate floor.


The Nevada Democrat is in talks with GOP leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky over what to include in catchall legislation to help the long-term unemployed, extend several expired tax breaks and prevent doctors from suffering a big cut in their Medicare reimbursements.


The measure would cost more the so-called jobs bill the Senate is voting on Wednesday. It mostly clears up business left unfinished because of last year’s health care debate.

More

[1776Forever]

21. Maybe they heard us - lol - We can only hope they do this asap! Found this in article:

http://www.rgj.com/article/20100223/NEWS12/100223017

".......Facing a Feb. 28 deadline, Reid hopes to pass two measures, one as soon as Tuesday. The first includes a 30-day extension of several of soon-to-expire provisions such as jobless aid, parts of the Patriot Act and prevention of cuts in Medicare payments to doctors.

Reid and McConnell were obviously negotiating the parameters of the second — a broader, longer-term measure — in a private conversation on the Senate floor. A top Reid aide could be overheard suggesting a full-year extension of unemployment insurance and a 65 percent health insurance subsidy for the unemployed through the federal COBRA program.

At issue is extending several layers of additional weeks of benefits that have been approved by Congress since June 2008. The core benefit is 26 weeks, with up to 20 additional weeks in states with high unemployment.

The aide also proposed extending for another six months a provision of last year’s economic stimulus bill in which the federal government pays a higher share of costs for the state-federal Medicaid health care program for the poor and unemployed. The Medicaid help mirrors an Obama administration proposal to give states about $25 billion to help with their Medicaid budgets.

.........

Some good news if it happens!

:applause:

[Love Bug]

26. Yes, that will be very good news if it happens

I do know several senators (including one of mine -- go Al!) sent a letter to Reid earlier this month asking for a 10-month extension of UI and COBRA benefits so States wouldn't have to constantly re-tool every thirteen weeks or so for the different extensions. It costs the States $$$$$ every time they have to do that and most of them just can't afford the extra burden right now. There is a website that is tracking all of these issues, so I encourage everyone here to visit it: www.unemployedworkers.org

I am lucky in one respect: I'm a Vet and because my income dropped so much last year due to my layoff, I was finally eligible to receive medical benefits. Woo-hoo! At least I don't have THAT to worry about but I'm still very glad for others if the COBRA extension and help passes.