99 Weeks of Unemployment Benefits in 2010
Recently, President Obama signed into law another extension of unemployment benefits, pushing the number of weeks of benefits the unemployed receive to 99 weeks, nearly a full year. (204 weeks) I expect that this trend will only continue, not for economic reasons, but political reasons.
Why Politicians Love Unemployment Benefits
Politicians love writing the checks for unemployment benefits for two reasons. First, recipients are more likely to embrace whoever votes to extend them, especially since the family finances are reliant heavily on the frequent checks from the US Treasury. Second, any money spent on unemployment benefits goes to work immediately.
I challenge you to find recipients of unemployment benefits who do not spend more than half of their benefits each month. Just from my own guesstimates, I’d imagine that as many as 80-90% of unemployment benefits recipients spend it as quickly as it comes in. With each new extension, the administration gets another chance to “stimulate” the economy by putting freshly borrowed cash in the hands of people who are most likely to spend it—nevermind save it.
Requirements for Unemployment Compensation
Generally, anyone laid off of full time work qualifies for unemployment. However, you will not receive benefits if you quit yourself unless you do so with “good cause.” The term “good cause” and its interpretation is entirely dependent on the state, and some states are tougher than others.
However, should you receive benefits you will receive half of your original salary up to a maximum amount. In New York, for instance, unemployment only goes as high as $405. Other states, however, offer less than half that, $200 per week, all of which is taxable.
Count on a new 99 week minimum
Once broadened to 99 weeks it is certain that the length one can receive benefits will be reduced. The simple fact is that it is too politically popular, helping to buy votes and win elections, as well as give a short term boost to economic indicators. Roughly 15 million people are currently receiving benefits, or 5% of the total population. If you can put a few hundred dollars in the hands of the unemployed each and every week you’re sure to stimulate the economy.
Dear President & Mrs. Obama, Senators, & Congressmen,
Please enact as quickly as possible legislations for those of us who have exceeded 99 weeks without securing gainful employment. DO NOT WAIT UNTIL THE END OF THE YEAR. I beg of you.
In response to the individual that said that 80-90% of those receiving unemployment spend it as fast as they receive it, I want to say that based on the amount that is received by an individual it is easy to do. It is as simple as creating a monthly budget will one truly understand that the individual receiving these benefits, according to our own government standards, is at the poverty level. The reason I say this is because when one collects unemployment they are unable to collect food stamps.
In the interim of finding a job I can’t express how many people attempt to scam others who are down and out instead of trying to help one’s neighbor. Unfortunately these days it is far more common not to know one’s neighbor under the notion of everyone trying to mind their own business.
Mrs. Obama, you cannot grow enough vegetables in the White House Garden to feed the thousands of Americans who have lost all unemployment benefits beyond 99 weeks. Please let this be your first and utmost cause.
Len Pasek
Tel: 770.231.4373
I have used all 99 weeks,and still have had no luck finding work,no one wants to hire,and the jobs you apply to and the ones applied to on line,you never hear back from,what are we suppose to do,I worked for 26 years at the same job,never once getting help from anything,and now at the age of 53 no one wants to hire me,even with all the experience I have,minimum wage you are maybe lucky to find,but I would have to work 2 full time jobs just to pay my house and car and all the other stuff,why is there no more help for us,I do not see the economy looking any better,where are the jobs.
the unemployment rate today is a bit higher because of the recession but hopefully the economy would recover soon.”"‘
Dear Mr. President,
I have been unemployed since the economy started to tank, once I lost my job I took some time off and went back to school in the Medical field. I have my degree in accounting, and thought furthering my career in a different field will help me land a job faster. Well that never worked, so I signed up with a temp agency, because I became very desperate, I land a job, and ended up loosing my job because of the color of my skin and because our president is African american. The clients and the Employee spoke about you and minority and how you are only for the blacks and that we are Assholes, (excuse my language), because we don’t know how to spend our money and we can’t even pay our mortgage and that is why we are in this situation. They had no respect for the fact that I was sitting right in front of them. I didn’t comment because I haven’t worked in so long and needed the money for my family. Never have I felt so small and disrespected. Tears filled my eyes while I listen to the harsh words. I left work at 5 pm that day, and by 5:10, I got a phone call on my cell that they no longer needed with no good explanation. Now I am unemployed again and no unemployment money to help feed the kids. I have applied for so many jobs and still no luck. I am asking please to help the people that has max out there 99 weeks, because we are looking, we have kids and family to take care of. The unemployment is not much, but helps. I can put gas in my car when I have to go on an interview, and put food in the kids mouth. Please Mr. President, we need help. I know you have a lot on your plate, but we need your help.
Thanks,
Mrs. Meade
mr president.
my name is peter .
i will run out of unemployment in 2 weeks.i have looked for a job every week for 2 years with no luck.please help.i picture my family starving and homeless.not because I do not want to work but simply because i cant find work.this is not America anymore.
yours truly- peter force
When my husband’s unemployment benefits expire in a few weeks he might start selling drugs to feed our daughter. Something we have never condoned but desperate times call for desperate measures. It is a eat or be eaten world out there.
I am wondering what will happen if they are extended to 119 weeks or 150 wekks or 200 weeks-MY QUESTION IS “WHEN DES IT STOP”?. And in all honesty I personally know 20 people who were fired, are nearing retirement, and have NO DESIRE to enter the work force. We need to get real here folks.
I am wondering what will happen if they are extended to 119 weeks or 150 wekks or 200 weeks-MY QUESTION IS “WHEN DOES IT STOP”?. And in all honesty I personally know 20 people who were fired, are nearing retirement, and have NO DESIRE to enter the work force. We need to get real here folks.
How do I apply for the 99 weeks of unemployment? I applied for unemployment but they’re only giving me 25 weeks.
@archie legett
thats nice archie. i worked in the residential architecture field.have a car and house note that i could afford. and because of the corrupt lending practices of the banks and fannie mae and freddie mac i lost my job. now the banks have been bailed out and the fannie freddie and the government are fat and happy, but will not loan money for homes or to small business. so i am still out of work. i HATE being unemployed. i can not afford to do anything but survive. should i lose my house and car and phone it will make it extremely hard to find a job. in the almost 2 years i have been unemployed i have gotten 1 phone interview and 2 face to face interviews. never heard any more from the phone interview and 1 face to face decided not to hire anyone and the other i was told i was over qualified. you tell me and others like me what we are suppossed to do.
This is my last week of unemployment. 99 and out. I’ve been looking hard for 2 years, and I’ve had 4 or 5 interviews, but no job. In the 35 years I’ve been working, I’ve always have been able to find work. I wonder how much I’ve paid into this system. Probally 4 or 5 times as much as I’ve gotten back. I would just like the interest on that money