With so many companies having learned to do with fewer workers, moved offshore or no longer exist we’re told we’re heading into a “jobless recovery.” Doesn’t that imply that for many/most of these people there won’t be jobs in the foreseeable future, if ever? Doesn’t that mean unemployment benefits will have to be extended forever?
Should it be extended, or should the already heavily indebted government not spend money this way? Not doing so, of course, would drastically increase the number of homeless since the states can’t really afford their portion now.
Back in December, the qualification dates for existing tiers of unemployment benefits were extended for an additional two months. Time is up at the end of February. Now another extension is needed or millions of workers will lose benefits over the next few months.
The National Employment Law Project (NELP) released a new report last week showing that …
1.2 million jobless workers will become ineligible for federal unemployment benefits in March unless Congress extends the unemployment safety net programs from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). By June, this number will swell to nearly 5 million unemployed workers nationally who will be left without any jobless benefits.
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Currently, 5.6 million people are accessing one of the federal extensions (34-53 weeks of Emergency Unemployment Compensation; 13-20 weeks of Extended Benefits, a program normally funded 50 percent by the states).
I have been off for 18 months. Just had a meeting at the place i worked at. They said, things will be worse this year than last, business wise. They said, dont plan on coming back this year. There are no jobs out there. People who feel you should work at mcdonalds or burger king are living in fantasy land. If you think that micky D’s is a life/family sustaining job, please give up your good job and give it a try. I am sure you will be able to pay for your home, your utilities, your car, your boat, pay for your kids educations, school supplies activities ect and put food on your table. NOT, it wont happen. All these people calling out of work people lazy are living in a fantasy world. Everyone wants a job equivalent to what they had, not some 7.50 and hour job that may buy ya gas for your car and some hot dogs and ramen noodles….
I was laid off over a year ago, looking at congress its easy to assume that support is over, they sure want it over. Most people seem to make good points that the lack of jobs and overall problem is far from over.
Simple fact is that I’ve had one minor nervous breakdown through all of this and that’s enough for me. I’m planning to remove myself if I face homelessness in the coming weeks.
I worked nearly every day since I was 16. My way of life (working) is missing and soon my way of trying to get it back (gov support) will be removed.