Unemployment extension: who's in and who's out

[Robbien]

Source: CBS News

<snip>

When someone is first laid off they can apply to receive 26 weeks of benefits paid for by a state trust.

At the end of those 26 weeks, if they are still unemployed they can qualify for up to 53 more weeks of benefits. That's paid for with federal money under the Emergency Unemployment Compensation program.

As of this point the beneficiary has received 79 weeks of coverage.

From there people can qualify to receive benefits through a four-tier system. That cost is split 50/50 between the state and federal government. Within this level, people can qualify for up to six, 13, 14, or 20 weeks of benefits depending on what they made in their job.

If someone begins at the regular 26 week claim and exhausts all the levels of unemployment, they reach 99 weeks and benefits end.

Employment officials say many people thought the unemployment act meant they could qualify to receive additional benefits.

Read more: http://www.kval.com/news/local/99986049.html

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The last part, the four-tier system, was temporary and expired. This was the part that was reinstated.

The 99ers are still out of luck. That sucks.

[peacefreak]

1. It sure does.

Pretty freakin' scary from where I sit right now.

[Robbien]

2. Good News for 99ers: Sen. Stabenow Introduces Tier 5 Unemployment Extension 2010

Keeping a promise she made earlier on introducing a Tier 5 unemployment extension bill, Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today introduced the Americans Want to Work Act.

The legislation does not only aim to help 99ers – those who have expended the maximum 99 weeks of federal unemployment assistance. The bill also seeks to cut taxes for businesses that hire new workers who have been looking for work the longest time.

The Tier 5 unemployment extension 2010 bill is cosponsored by Senators Charles Schumer (D-NY), Harry Reid (D-NV), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Carl Levin (D-MI), Bob Casey (D-PA), Chris Dodd (D-CT), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Jack Reed (D-RI), and Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), according to a message posted on her website.

The 99ers are set to be provided with 20 additional weeks of unemployment insurance for individuals in states with an unemployment rate of 7.5% or higher if this Tier 5 bill is enacted into law.

http://all247news.com/good-news-for-99ers-sen-stabenow-introduces-tier-5-unemployment-extension-2010/3131/


So there's some hope.