It appears that the House may be ready to extend unemployment benefits for another 13 weeks.
On Wednesday, September 23, Congress will consider legislation to add 13 weeks to unemployment benefits in what are termed "high-unemployment states." In order to be considered a high-unemployment state, the unemployment rate must be greater than 8.5%. With unemployment at record highs nationwide, this status includes 26 states and the District of Columbia. What about the other 24 states? The unemployed workers there could qualify if their state is expected to hit 8.5% unemployed or it meets other criteria.
Congress has already voted twice to extend benefits, yet it is estimated that 400,000 people will lose their unemployment benefits by the end of the month and 1.4 million by the end of the year. Beth Shulman, Chair of the National Employment Law Project hit the nail on the head when she stated, "Now is not the moment to pull the plug on America's jobless workers or to deal a body blow to the nation's nascent economic recovery."
To lose these benefits would definitely have a major impact on the current economic situation. Remember that unemployment benefits allow people to buy the necessities -- which are what is helping our economic recovery. Should these people lose their benefits, retail will suffer, which would lead to lower sales, and then eventually lower earnings. There is no way that Congress should cut off unemployment benefits, mainly because these benefits are needed.
As Gov. Jennifer Granholm of Michigan noted, "Employment lags behind economic recovery, and we cannot forget that help for unemployed workers and their families remains a critical need."
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
9-19-2009 @ 7:43PM
Merv Tedwards said...
Can anyone list the qualifying states and non-qualifying states?
9-28-2009 @ 1:06PM
Deb said...
They keep extending so people will buy how much money can they give. These folks are in great need of help they aren't going out and buying a car or new clothes they are putting food on the table. It is a catch-22 with no bottom and no end in sight. Not to mention health care we will need to buy or now pay $25k not the initial $3,800 in the bill and up to a year in prison I didnt know we had debtors prison something else new we must come accustomed to in America. Ironic isnt it dont pay go to jail and they give you full coverage there. Im scared I am not a law breaker but will be soon and could spend the rest of my life going to prison again and again for being unable to afford insurance. Where did the America we had such a short time ago go?
10-08-2009 @ 9:47PM
frankespinozah said...
I hope they start helping people,I don't think they can handle a couple million desperate people.