Unemployment Update?

[JoDog]

Has anyone heard anything about extending tier V unemployment before it runs out at the end of November? My brother-in-law/roommate's unemployment runs out at the end of November, and I'm trying to figure out what to do. I cannot support our household by myself.

[Crazy Dave]

1. I read something this weekend...

...but can't remember where or specifics but another 26 week extension is very likely and with bi-partisan support although how soon they get to it is a different story.

Good luck!

Edit: I remember them also saying it would only apply in states with unemployment rates higher than the national average.

[ipaint]

2. Continuing the tiered extensions will be a battle. The repubs want billions on cuts

every month and a tier 5 is dead in the water.

Whether you are in the first 26 weeks or one of the tiers, at the end of Nov. you will finish out that particular tier and no more unemployment.

[Love Bug]

3. I would hope for the best and prepare for the worst

It's been a constant battle for the past year to get congress to continue funding for the different tiers. If there is a 26-week extension, it's likely it will only be for those who haven't exhausted their 99 weeks yet. As far as adding a Tier V, well, I wouldn't count on it. (Disclaimer: I exhausted my UI benefits two months ago, so I do have a 'dog in this hunt.')

It wouldn't hurt to contact your congress critters, especially if any lost the election. They have nothing to lose by voting for an extension.

[ipaint]

4. Federal law for unemployment and tiers

November 3, 2010
Important Dates for Unemployment Compensation Beneficiaries:

Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC)

* Under the current federal law, customers receiving regular state unemployment benefits must exhaust those benefits by the week ending November 20, 2010 in order to be eligible for additional federal EUC benefits.
* Customers already receiving federal EUC benefits may be eligible for the next tier (EUC Tiers II, III, or IV) providing their previous tier is exhausted by the week ending November 27, 2010.
* Under the current federal law, EUC customers will complete the tier they are in as of November 28, 2010 and will not be able to advance to the next tier.
* Under the current federal law, EUC benefits cannot be paid after the week ending April 30, 2011.

Extended Benefits (EB)

* Customers who exhaust all entitlement to regular state benefits and EUC by week ending November 27, 2010 can establish eligibility for EB.
* Under current law, EB benefits cannot be paid after the week ending December 4, 2010 and any remaining benefits in a customer’s EB account cannot be used to compensate for any additional weeks of unemployment.

Federal Additional Compensation (FAC)

* Customers who are currently receiving FAC will continue to be paid the additional $25 weekly through the week ending December 11, 2010.


This is off the florida unemployment site but it applies to all states. Whether your state has additional safety nets when the federal program ends you'd have to check.