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Hundreds of thousands to lose unemployment benefits

Many Americans face the expiration of their standard 26 weeks.

Posted by Elizabeth Strott on Monday, July 20, 2009 9:21 AM

Unemployment © Jeff Kowalsky/Bloomberg News /LandovThe recession has erased 6.5 million jobs since it began in December 2007, and hundreds of thousands of people without jobs are now preparing for the next big blow: the loss of their unemployment benefits.

 

Hundreds of thousands of Americans will start running out of their basic unemployment benefits over the next few weeks, with more than 650,000 people losing their unemployment benefits by September. A total of 4.4 million people, or about two-thirds of the entire population of people who have filed for unemployment, are expected to see their benefits expire.

 

The problem: There just aren't any jobs out there. The Labor Department's report on job openings showed 2.6 million job openings on the last day of May, with a job opening rate of 1.9%. The rate is the percentage of total jobs that are open for hiring on the last business day of a given month. The higher the rate, the greater the supply of open jobs. The job opening rate peaked at about 3.4% in the middle of 2007. The May hires rate was 3%, the lowest rate since data were first tracked in December 2000.

 

June data will be released on August 12.

 

"We need to get the issue attention now, because people are running out of benefits and there's just nothing for them," Andrew Stettner, deputy director of the National Employment Law Project, told CNNMoney.com. The National Employment Law Project is an advocacy group that has calculated the number of people who will exhaust their unemployment benefits.

 

In most states, unemployed workers get a maximum 26 weeks of state-funded benefits. Two extension programs may also be available for an additional 53 weeks of benefits, however.

 

More than 20,000 Pennsylvanians will run out of unemployment benefits in coming days, which is the first big group to reach the expiration worry. State lawmakers are considering legislation to tap into federal funds so they can extend benefits for seven weeks. In May, emergency legislation allowed New York to extend unemployment insurance benefits for more than 120,000 New Yorkers, including about 56,000 people whose benefits had been set to expire at the end of the month.

 

The Labor Department's data on continuing claims does not track people who are still unemployed after the guaranteed 26 weeks of benefits expire. Continuing claims are the number of people who request benefits after their first week.

 

"We will see a decline in continuing filers," Stettner said. "People are falling out of these numbers, and the pace of more recent layoffs replacing them is not as steep."

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#1
Friday, August 07, 2009 6:00:22 PM

Rough deal all around. It is no longer about people living within their means, but people no longer having the means to live!

 

I can only take some comfort in the fact no one can blame me, because I voted for Geezer McCain and Caribou Barbie.

Tuesday, July 28, 2009 1:35:41 PM
No unemployment benefits left, 401k's spent, selling annuities with penalties, some are at the end. I guess these TV shows are preparing use for the end. I guess it's time to get out the guns and go after the better off neighbors for there treasures, food, clothing, etc. The end seems to be here! read revelations!!!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009 9:54:35 PM

This comment(?) reminds me of the days when kids played the 'wolf n' game.  It went something like this: 

     O'mama?  No,  Yo'mama!Open-mouthed 

 

Anyway, on the serious side, here's a bit of history for anyone that might have been in a coma some time during the last decade:  "... break the economy" started eight and a half+ (8 1/2+) years ago.   Additionally, socialism is an "ism" that's referred to more and more frequently these days.  It's used whenever some ...... have no intelligent response to an issue that should have never come into existence (started some 8 1/2+ years ago). 

 

Socialism must NEVER be the American way.  However, "love thy neighbor..." IS the basis of the American way!

Tuesday, July 21, 2009 8:44:30 PM
"CAN WE JUST STOP IMPORTING?"  When has there ever been a time when we didn't import?  Answer:  Never.  However, it would be nice if we could stop exporting so many of our jobs!  Although, the next question might be:  Who's going to stop BIG BUSINESS' from exporting them?  Sad  Apparently it's not going to be our government (Republicans/Democrats/ Independents).  Maybe it would be a good idea, the next time you call your congress person (Republican/Democrat/ Independent) you could remind them to stop arguing like little children and start doing the jobs we hired them to do.
Tuesday, July 21, 2009 8:29:59 PM

You know, I've been reading these blogs and nobody seems to get it. A massive new government is being erected........quietly, while the status quo is being ripped apart and suffocated. It's all according to the Saul Alinsky playbook about how to turn your capitalistic country into a socialist utopia. Overload the current Capitalist Government system with entitlements and watch it collapse. While it is collapsing, erect a new totalitarian Government under the guise of " urgency ".  The Media is totally on board with it and we are all being kept in the dark or our attention drawn elsewhere with Michael's death or John and Kate's divorce while these " politicians " secretly connive and conspire to take this Country in a direction it was never meant to go. They think that we are all too busy watching

" American Idol " to notice. All because they underestimate the intelligence of the American People. The TRUE Americans. Not the European variety. I say......................Pitchforks, torches and Guillotines on the steps of the Capitol and the White House, I'm sure those Aristocrats of pre-revolutionary France crapped their pants when they saw that crowd coming for them. You want results?....I Think were gonna have to get nasty........................I think it was Benjamin Franklin that said " People should not fear their Government. Government should fear it's People. Who's with me?

Tuesday, July 21, 2009 8:14:45 PM
Shame, shame on you!  Many of the jobs these 'human beings' work on help to maintain the infrastructure we all need to make our lives a little bit better.  There are jobs that don't require anyone to speak clear English.  They just call for someone with muscles, a willingness to work hard, and the ability to keep conversation to a minimum.   You stated: "No one should, unless you have no experience, are a HS grad, not college or an immigrant who doesn't speak clear English.  No, I'm not sorry for that comment."  Watch out for that Stormy cloud, Karma has a way of catching up to all...  Hopefully you won't find yourself biting that bullet.  Get it?  Light bulb
Tuesday, July 21, 2009 4:32:19 PM
O'mama's plan is working to perfection...break the economy and employ socialism...its right in front of our noses...freedom isnt free,and the bill has come due again...
Tuesday, July 21, 2009 4:31:18 PM
Are you kidding us Obama new the job was dangerous when he took it! Maybe you should post the name of the less fortunate you have helped lately! Not last year when things were good! Hey I need about 20G's to take my Corvette to 1000Hps. can you help this less fortunate one PLEASEOpen-mouthed. I thought soSad. You really think Obama has helped anyone? Wake up and smell the coffee!Embarrassed
Tuesday, July 21, 2009 4:25:47 PM
Patty, I feel your pain! I am in the same position, college educated with a long steady work history and I can't get a job as a waitress!  I am now thinking of searching in the area's of the country that don't seem to be as hard hit as the Northeast.  I am terrified to have to move away from my children, grandkids, family and friends but I don't want to be homeless either.  I am in a state of shock, we have sent so many jobs oversees there is nothing to sustain us through times like these.  The US needs to start manufacturing, building and buying American, the nation will not recover as long as millions are out of work with no hope and no help.  You will be in my prayers.
#10
Tuesday, July 21, 2009 4:11:33 PM
I'm sorry to hear that.  Please, please take anything you can get.  I'm referring to the $8.00 - $15.00 an hour jobs here in New York City.  It's incredible the salaries employers are paying for families, singles to sustain themselves on.  That is my game plan, however, I will be very specific regarding the job scope and salary.  I have bills to pay and a life to live.  I simply cannot live on the stated salary above.  No one should, unless you have no experience, are a HS grad, not college or an immigrant who doesn't speak clear English.  No, I'm not sorry for that comment.   It's simply the way it is!
Tuesday, July 21, 2009 4:07:45 PM
I don't think it makes a difference where you live the unemployment is high. I live in Denver and I'm 56. I have applied in many states. I'm looking for a job in a call center. If anyone knows of a job let me know
Tuesday, July 21, 2009 4:02:42 PM
CAN WE JUST STOP IMPORTING?
Tuesday, July 21, 2009 4:00:45 PM
I am one of the unemployed. I'm on my 2nd extension. It will end in 4 weeks. I have filled out applications for everything you can think of and I'm getting know where. When will we find out if we out if we will be receiving the emergency funding for the state?
Tuesday, July 21, 2009 3:58:53 PM
i live in boise idaho, i have a college degree and can't get a job in fast food.  i've been unemployed since feb. and it's terrifying.  and i would bet you that most of the people that have been laid off their jobs are over 40, i haven't seen the stats on that.  at my last job, the people getting laid off or terminated were over 40 years old.  from what i understand it costs more to insure us.  of course you can't prove that you lost your job because of your age and in my "right to work" state they don't have to have a reason to get rid of you.  i just found that quite interesting .. i'm in a state of constant panic and fear that i will never work again and i'm grateful that i don't have to try to support anyone else, i can only imagine how horrible that is.  i'm not a religious person per say but i do feel that this is something that has been foretold along with all the other terrible things that have been happening on this planet in the past 10 years.  i don't know what to do, feeling helpless and out of control of anything in your life is very scary.  god help us all!! 
Tuesday, July 21, 2009 3:57:06 PM

something people who should say is where they are from whether they cant find a job or if they think unemployed people are lazy.  I live in Michigan and I have a Job (no its not because jesus helped me get one).  I am about the only one in my group of friends that has a job right now.  Many of them have been looking for months and can't even get work as a dishwasher.  My work is constantly laying off and I'm afraid my number is coming.

My Parents retired years ago sold the house and travel the country in their RV.  They said its amazing how other parts of the country have almost no employment problems, and people have no idea how bad its getting up here.

So if you say where you are from when you post then I can send my lazy unemployed friends down there to take your job for half of what you make.  Or maybe you will see there is a problem in parts of our wonderful country and we should try to help each other.

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