The recent 2009 economic stimulus bill was recently passed and it features a number of changes to unemployment benefits. Unemployment benefits are being extended which should come in handy given the large number of layoffs in recent months.
Unemployment benefits extended in the 2009 economic stimulus plan
Previously, unemployed workers were eligible for 26 weeks of unemployment benefits. As as result of this bill, unemployment benefits will be extended by 20 weeks regardless of which state they live in. In some higher-unemployment states such as California, there will be another 13 weeks of unemployment benefits available as well.
Total weeks of unemployment available:
- Low-unemployment state – eligible for 46 weeks of benefits.
- High-unemployment state – eligible for 59 weeks of benefits.
Increased unemployment benefits by $25 per week.
Although it varies from from state to state, the average unemployment benefit payout will be increased by $25 to about $325 per week.
Increased coverage to part-time workers
This stimulus package will also provide money to encourage the states to give employment benefits to part-time workers and more low-wage workers.
Tax change for unemployment benefits
Another change was that the first $2,400 of unemployment benefits will be tax-free which was not the case before.
Unemployment benefit information for other states
Florida unemployment benefits extension - 20 more weeks.
Will New York add 13 more weeks of unemployment benefits?
New York extends unemployment benefits by 13 weeks
Will Tennessee add 20 weeks of unemployment benefit extension?
Ohio unemployment benefits extension - 13 more weeks
Texas Unemployment Benefits Extension - 13 more weeks
Unemployment benefits extended in 2009 stimulus package.
Bill H3548 - 13 week extension for high unemployment states.
Kentucky Unemployment Benefits Extension - 20 more weeks.
Illinois Unemployment Benefits Extension - 20 more weeks.
Michigan Unemployment Benefits Extension - 20 more weeks.
California Unemployment Benefits Extension - 20 more weeks.
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There’s encouraging news over on the unemployed-friends website. Go over to Google and its the first shown with several pages to click on. Google is a GREAT source for finding out information and the various sites available. Issa-CA Congrats on your petition site! Should be 1000’s more signatures by week-ending. Here’s the link: http://unemployed-friends.forumotion.com/unemployment-news-f54/hope-for-99ers-must-read-t5044-15.htm
I am praying for all of you who have exhausted their tiers of unemployment extensions. I am praying to the Lord for justice for us all! We must not forget who is really in control.
It seems that the petition stopped automatically showing all the signatures when it went to 1,000 (1,000!). You can bring up all the names and their cities by clicking on Print My Petition.
I emailed the site owner to ask how the petition/letter is mailed to the recipients. This is his answer:
——————————————-
RE: A question
Hey Issa,
Congratulations on the great petition and the support that has mobilized around it. To ensure that letters are automatically sent to each person’s senators, we work with Democracy in Action, which processes actions to Congress for more than 900 progressive organizations. They have written a script that automatically parses the webforms of each senator so they can submit the information on behalf of people when they sign through Change.org
. And when this is not possible, we use the Senator’s office email address and at times will delivery them in fax form if necessary.
Let me know if you have any other questions – and best of luck!
Ben
Hello all; Issa, Peggy from that Orange County Paper emailed me again. She would really like to talk with you. I hope you didn’t mind I gave her your name. She said she is very interested in doing a story on the 99ers group we have organized on here, your petition, etc. etc. Really might be good PR to help us.
Chris- I left a message and my number on her phone. She hasn’t called, yet.
i think us 99ers r SCREWED
Hello, Issa oh good, she probably will call. Erica, I hate to say it but I agree with you
Just remember the FIGHT we had getting HR 3548..
Same unfortunate scenario, with healthcare reform once again taking center-stage. We will get a Tier V but we will have a gap for those of us exhausting in the next few weeks or those that exhausted shortly ago. I believe after the fiasco with healthcare reform plan passes and is signed into law THEN the concentration will be on JOBS JOBS JOBS and further extending the jobless benefits with a Tier V. Washington is not stupid but they think US as stupid! The jobless rate will go down with jobs for census takers AND those ending Tier IV falling off the DOL stats to make it appear to the masses including the MSM that the economy is improving when it is not. We have to continue the fight for Tier V stronger NOW! but they are bound & determined to pass a healthcare plan b/4 spring break and we are not important at this time. Don’t forget HR 3548 sat in the closet of the SFC for 3 wks while they had their healthcare reform hearings! Its frustrating to ALL of us! BUT WE WILL PREVAIL..
ALL……………. I am SO SO SO mad!!!! I just called George Voinovich office and actually got to talk to someone ( Jason) Might as well talked to the wall! I asked him what Mr. Voinovich opinion was on a Tier 5 and he said huh? So I explained it to him and he said oh yes that passed today! Then I said HUH? Well to make a long story short they do not know their head from their A–!!!! I explained that I was not talking about the extention to April to sign up for the extention but a new extention to receive unemployment checks for more than the 99 weeks. He then told me I needed to call job & family services and sign up for unemployment. WHat kind of idiots do they have working there? I was so mad I finally just said look here….. I am a 57 year old women with a little college, no one wants me, I need a job to support my family but since no one seems to realize that there are millions of us out there running out of benefit then I guess your numbers will look good when we fall off the percentage data but ….. I will tell you one thing, the welfare numbers will go up, the crime will go up and the housing market will go much further in the toilet so I suggest you get with Mr. Voinovich and suggest that he and his fellow represenatives of the people try to get something going and soon-Good-Bye!!!!
OHHHHHH I am so mad right now all I can do is cry! Sorry just had to vent – Again!
Help with Food stamps and help for seniors until there’s a job or until unemployment benefits are extended
http://www.fns.usda.gov/snap/
Also, check out for seniors over 60 http://www.fns.usda.gov/wic and click on SFMNP state agencies or you can call 703-305-2746
There’s also MealCall.org or cal 800-677-1116 to get the local number. This is meals on wheels. There’s a charge of $2 to $6 depending on the meal or depending on income
pjg 1716. Many of those staffers haven’t a clue as to what we are talking about because they haven’t been informed by THEIR bosses in the office including the Congressman/Senators and their 3 Chief of Staff. Its crazy and when I called my Senator’s office yesterday I was told the Senate is working on several JOBS BILL and will look at further extensions of unemployment benefits regarding those on Tier IV. Finally got thru after calling several times but the line was constantly busy ( no doubt – healthcare reform plan ) and getting the votes together. That sucks to have a Senator office so totally clueless AND still act disinterested when you try to explain! I GLAD you vented, more days to come huh!
Well thought I had a good job prospect today when they told me to come in to talk to them. I thought I did great, but at the end got the we’ll call you after the interview process. As I was leaving another candidate walked in, I lost all hope when I saw her. I’d say she’s probably late 20’s early 30s. I don’t think I stand a chance now. I am willing to work for what ever they are offering right now, but most places just assume that because of my experience I’d want more. Not true. Oh well, sad to say not my first rejection and certainly not the last. What really gets me is there was a time that when you applied for a position you’d either get a phone call or a letter in the mail telling you they hired somebody else. Now a days most places dont even do that. Sign of the times I guess.
Trying to stay positive.
Ok now im lost..lol. Just watch the closing of the U.S. Senate on C-span2. Dick Durbin (IL.) mentioned an amendment to Hr 3548. Anybody know what that is about?
I spoke with Peggy Lowe who writes for the Orange County Register.
We spoke about this site and the petition, which is now at 1096. What she needs is for someone from Orange Co., CA to contact her so she can tie the 99er story to her local area (for her local paper).
plowe@oc.register.com
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