UE Benefit Extensions Should Be Automatic When The UE Rate Is 10% And Above

[Yavin4]

We've had TWO YEARS of monthly job losses, and the narrowly defined UE rate is at 10%. Counting the underemployed, the rate is at 17%. Yet, in order to extend UE benefits, the government has to pass special litigation.

This very idea is ridiculous. If the jobs are not there, THEY ARE NOT THERE. Cutting off the one lifeline that people have is mind-boggling, and it would lead to a deflationary death spiral for the entire economy.

But, this is what happens when you have a 30 years of Reagan/Corporatism's vice like grip on our political leadership. Help the rich and the powerful, and fuck the people.

[tonysam]

1. +1,000

It should be when the unemployment rate is about 8.5 nationally.

[leftstreet]

2. K&R

[Raineyb]

3. Makes sense to me!

So long as they don't jigger the numbers to under-report them.

[Yavin4]

6. Since Reagan, They've Done Everything To Narrowly Define UE

For example, the rate is based on a survey. If you worked ONE day in a two week window of the survey, VOILA!, you're employed. ONE FRACKING DAY!!!

Even with that narrow definition, we still have 10% UE.

[Vincardog]

4. How about making them count us LONG term "Discouraged" workers?

[DJ13]

5. I would extend that down to 8%

The historic average is in the 6% range, so 8% should be considered a serious unemployment situation warranting additional time to secure employment.

[datasuspect]

7. why?

Commander Gingrich promised us a nation of self-employeds and independent contractors in 1996.

or you can just be homeless.

bootstraps. 9-11. bin laden.

[SeattleGirl]

8. And UE should NOT suddenly decide to review a claim for

validity a freakin' YEAR after someone has been getting UE benefits. That just happened to my husband; got a letter on Tuesday from UE, the same day he gets his benefit check, telling him that they are going to review his claim to make sure it's valid so no checks right now, and oh by the way, this could take 4-6 weeks, and oh yeah, don't call us, we'll let you know what we decided.

Oh, AND, when his current benefits run out, he could be eligible to file a new claim.

And, he still has $13,000 in the benefits pot for this current extension.

GAAAAAAH! I have a decent job, but I don't make enough to pay all the bills and keep us in food and gas.

A little big of a warning would have been nice, if they were going to do this.

:banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead: :banghead:

[doc03]

9. I used up my 26 weeks unemployment and am now

10 weeks into my 20 week extension. After the extension runs out I don't know if there is another extension or what.

[SeattleGirl]

10. There is. MrSG is on his third extension.

Of course, they are fucking with him right now (see my post above), but for you, I think you'll be okay.