The past year has been a bad one for the American worker. Because of the 2008 financial crisis and ensuing recession – millions of Americans have lost their jobs. The current national unemployment rate is 9.7% as of Sept 4. While many workers will find new jobs within the time period of existing employment benefits – many more will run out of benefits before finding a new job.
On September 22, the House passed legislation called Bill H3548 which will allow any states with a total unemployment rate (TUR) of 8.5% or higher to be eligible for federal funding which will allow 13 more weeks of extended unemployment benefits for those people who have exhausted all the current benefits.
This move was made as part of the ongoing 2009 stimulus package which is designed to help the economy recover as quickly as possible and for long term unemployed people to be able to keep paying the bills while they look for work.
Which states are eligible for these benefits?
The eligible states are:
ALABAMA, ARIZONA, CALIFORNIA, FLORIDA, GEORGIA, IDAHO, ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, MAINE, MASSACHUSETTS, MICHIGAN, MISSISSIPPI, MISSOURI, NEVADA, NEW JERSEY, NORTH CAROLINA, NEW YORK, OHIO, OREGON, PENNSYLVANIA, RHODE ISLAND, SOUTH CAROLINA, TENNESSEE, WASHINGTON, AND WEST VIRGINIA. PLUS THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA AND PUERTO RICO.
When can I get these extra benefits?
At the moment this bill has not become law (as of Sept 24). The senate still has to approve the bill and it is unclear how long it will take. It is anticipated that the bill will pass Senate but it might take a while.
Keep in mind that the previous extension (Extended Benefits) required state law changes since EB is a joint federal and state program. EB required a change in federal law and then required state laws to be amended. The legislation that recently passed the House (H3548) is an extension of Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC). This does not require state law changes so it won’t require the state legislature to change state law. This means that it should take less time to get this extension than the previous one.
How much unemployment benefits are available now?
Most states have a basic amount of 26 weeks (6 months) of employment benefits plus any extra weeks available because of various unemployment rate triggers. These are funded by the states and/or the federal government.
271 replies on “Bill H3548 – 13 Weeks Unemployment Benefit Extension For High Unemployment States”
Thanks JC. I will start sending out emails ASAP!!
Sherri I agree 100% with you. The media is our only option. We have got to get their attention some how. I am going to try an unusual possibility and email Nancy Grace I know she doesn’t air this type of thing NORMALY but she does listen to the little people and she is on HLN/CNN. I think we should atleast try if she will give us 20 seconds of air time then CNN will pay attention. All I can say is it’s worth a try, any glimmer of hope is all we can ask for right now. You guys send out those emails!!! MAKE THEM LISTEN!!!
Sherri: What would be the best content or way to express our situation to the media? When Florida dragged their feet over accepting the stimulus package I did try contacting the media, local and national, and was blown off. (Heck I even tried contacting a few lawyers to see if they would take the case when our officials were refusing to accept any of the stimulus since I felt they were not acting in our best interests, lol.) Let’s organize!
I just email CNN. God I hope this works.
I have sent emails to all the above listed media including Nancy Grace. It may not work but they can’t say we didn’t put up a good fight if it doesn’t.
Associated Press and New York Times are 2 good print media outlets because they had several stories about the unemployed and those running out of benefits early this year before the triggers were changed by the states for the addl 7 wks. I did a interview with a reporter from Associated Press, fortunately I saved his phone# and gave him a call earlier. cnn.com/live when you watch live news on their video, they have whats called “your voice” right on the screen and you can make your comments, and hit the send button. I go on their at least 3 times a day and send comments on the other bill from last week, and now S.1699. Keep sending emails to them and if everyone does that instead of sitting back waiting for everyone else to do it, then the Senate will get their wake up call AND we don’t have much time because we still don’t know if they will still be fighting about healthcare reform with NO October break or will they take their break and not return until November, we can’t let that happen. cnn.com/heidi is a good connection too, she on in the mornings on the CNN affiliated HLN and I made comments on her blog when she ask you to comment on a subject she talking about and enough comments come in on ONE subject that affects over 400.000 Americans, then she will forward that to the big mama-CNN. Hope these suggestions help and anyone that has others, please post them for us to pursue.
Oh, you can bet there will be an October break all right the 9th to be exact. Thanks everyone, try to get everyone you know in on this, too.
http://www.startribune.com Read the article about Minnesotans may miss extended benefits. Very interesting, several other Senators are not happy about missing out either.
Kathy/Florida. We just don’t know because Reid had said there wouldn’t be a October break until the Healthcare Reform was not cleared up, I don’t know if thats a idle threat to his fellow Senators to get the frickin job done or what!. I don’t see what the rush is because whatever they come up with is not going to be in place for 4 years . Its sooo crazy!. I can’t figure out what the hell is going in BOTH houses especially the Senate. Who’s the majority leader Harry Reid or Max Baucus? He’s the guy holding up everything with his “smile for the tv cameras” Senate hearings on Healthcare Reform. The whole thing is a sorry joke!
Thanks Sherri, it just seems they take advantage of everything so I thought they would break for sure, lol. Kind of brings to mind a new picture of the Senate majority whip. Maybe there is still hope they could umbrella us in before the final crack of that slave driver’s whip?
Oops and isn’t Harry Reid the majority leader?
I have been having problems losting the site is there any posting after 9/25/2009 ?
Senate Schedule….Wow wish I had this kind of paid time off!
http://www.senate.gov/legislative/resources/pdf/2009_calendar.pdf
I would hope this schedule is subject to change if they haven’t finished their job….which obviously they haven’t considering the state of the economy & the U.S. in general.
Tin soldiers and “Pittsburgh’s” coming:
http://www.infowars.com/g20-police-military-savagely-attack-peaceful-protesters-in-pittsburgh-park/
I thought I was pretty much through posting anywhere since at least at my state’s site and others I have seen seem to only want people to post “happy, happy, joy, joy” not allowing others to vent and express their opinions. (Kind of like what we have allowed the government to do to us, maybe?) Yes it is great to be positive but let’s face it; things are rather dismal and in my humble opinion people should be allowed to express their views or have it posted right up front: Only happy posts allowed!! Heck, we used to have a thing called the First Amendment and people who don’t remember that are welcome to fly off to NeverNeverLand.
“One of you knew her and found her dead on the ground… how can you run when you know?”
Addendum to above: I am not advocating any of the “revolutionary” comments or ads on the site posted above … just the story itself and to advocate being allowed to exercise our right to speech and peaceful protest.
A handwritten note is more effective, these preprinted forms look like astroturf.
What does this have to do with unemployment?
Does anybody know when the senate is going to vote on this bill. I have been without a check since Sept.8th, it is getting harder every day that goes by.Good luck to everyone!!!
Some of the protest in Pittsburgh was about the lack of jobs and unemployment, that’s what.
I wrote my letter straight to the source today Mr.President.
Im sick of these crimes to continue especially from the senate.I want them to get a job done one way or the other.And no longer allow them to drag or prolong by creating names for bills of the same orgin.The people are suffering and need things to get done one way or the other.He has the power and needs to use it.
These are crimes and has to be stopped.Thankgod for the house they have been doing their job like they have always been doing for the most part anyway.You can always see them in action but I dont see that from the senate.I really wish we could just do away with the senate.They will always be a thorn in the side.I dont know why it happens but thats my own opinion.Either way I dont care who or why we just want the job done one way or the other.And the crimes to stop by prolonging things.
Ok well cspan2 live from cspan.org doing more in few mins but seems it just be taken up this week as cspan keeps saying.God help them if not.I just hope its for the hr 3548 and not theirs which means more delay.Tomm what ever happens I would say watch cspan2 and all week till the end .I really think it will 🙂
http://www.dailyfinance.com/2009/09/30/adp-report-shows-worse-than-expected-job-losses-in-september/
Analysis: To be sure, a disappointing private sector employment report for September. Still, the optimist would see the continuing downtrend in job layoffs. Even so, investors should note the September total is a far cry from the 150,000 to 200,000 jobs the U.S. economy needs to add every month in order to lower unemployment.
Investors also should keep in mind that the more telling statistic, containing both private and public sector job data, is the U.S. Labor Department?s monthly payroll data; the September data will be released Friday, October 2 at 8:30 a.m. EDT. That report is expected to show a 170,000-job loss in September, following a 216,000 job loss in August, according to a Bloomberg News survey of economists.
http://www.c-span.org/Watch/C-SPAN2_wm.aspx
Live on lawn capital talking jobs.
cspan2 live on cspan.org
Well looks like senate back from 2hr lunch now nice.
And talking health care but look like might be talking about some other bills at 4-430 sometime around there.
Stay toon to them rest of week or till it gets done.
The only decent thing to come of this most recent debacle is the fact that the State of Florida will not have to ammend their laws again. That would add to the agony. At least now, once signed by Obama, it can be implemented immediately. Now if we can get those Senators off of their soapboxes, and actually start doing the things to really help people, we will be good to go!
Please people if you dont fax your letters in now
while senate is actually working we will never get heard.the links are above its 2 free faxes a day .
They will get sick of us bugging them and bring it up to get rid if us faxing them and using up their faxing stuff.
It will work if we all flood them everyday with 2 free faxes a day.
Spread this around to several sites also so more people catch on also.
I claimed my last week on Sept. 8th,the senate has not even looked at this bill yet. How long is it going to take to approve this bill. I have been almost a month without any money, i am not sure how much longer i can make it without money. They have got to know there are a lot of people waiting for this extension, i hope they do not leave us waiting three months like they did the last time!!! Good luck to everyone!!!
I say do more than that. Get a twitter account and flood Florida Senator Bill Nelson’s twitter page with demands on the unemployment issue. You will find him here:
http://twitter.com/SenBillNelson
For those that do not know how to use twitter, make a comment in your dialogue box starting with @SenBillNelson and whatever you type will be delivered to his page. He, or his staff most likely, will receive those messages.
Just another avenue to explore….
From The Massachusetts Division of Unemployment Assistance Main Page Website:
Information on Additional Extension
At this time, Congress has not passed an additional emergency unemployment compensation (EUC) extension. If the extension is passed, we will notify eligible claimants by mail. Please check back for updates.
I’m guessing they’ve been getting calls about it and have put up the little info they know about it to help inform people.
The other four pillars isn’t functioning properly for some reason. Well I checked the Senate schedule and it appears they are OFF today-Friday!. After working late into the night on Healthcare Reform, hopefully they will get the necessary adjustments on the unemployment extension bill and present it to the floor Monday, will it be S.1699 or S.1647? who in the heck knows! I only know we are being screwed, Reid’s mailbox is full! Its all a sorry scam AND these are OUR elected officials. I just emailed Durbin a letter expressing total contempt!
Sherri, with new unemployment numbers they will start working on this bill.
FYI: Totally getting ridicuous! I called Senator Reid’s office a few mins ago at 202 224-3542 and his staffer said the Senate IS in session today, he said he doesn’t think they will get to the unemployment extension bill S.1699 OR S.1647 (I’m not sure what the bill # is anymore) BUT they will get to it early NEXT week. We’re being played, folks!
Send C-Span twitter comments:
twitter.com/cspanwj
They are putting them up live on the screen, so be cordial.
Gary, Yeah I know that but its frustrating because this is suppose to be emergency funding, they know people (VOTERS) have exhausted their benefits the end of August and September and this UI is there only income because the jobs aren’t out there! To take 2+ weeks with healthcare reform that they know will not be voted on by the Republicans and yet they continue with the B.S. markup hearings that is nothing but a exercise in futility PLUS whatever they come up with, will not even be in place for 4 years! Its crazy! I called Senator Durbin office this morning and his staffer said the Senate is NOT in session today! I called Senator Harry Reid’s office and his staffer said the Senate IS in session today but he said he doesn’t think they will take up the unemployment extension bill but will take it up early NEXT week????. I don’t even know what bill # to use when I call these Senator’s offices.. Because we are so in the dark as to what’s going on.
Anybody!
http://www.oregonlive.com/news/index.ssf/2009/10/oregons_extension_of_unemploym.html
I is looks like Oregon start the extension, or it is about old extensions?
Yes Sherri…take the day off…this can make one crazy…so many
frustrated people posting on all the pages. Do something that makes
you happy: )……all of this will still be here when you return.
Keep smiling and enjoy your day!
Just Me. You’re right AND nothing is going to happen with the bill until NEXT week anyway. I’m out of here & Thanks! P.S. http://www.nelp.org Read NEW at NELP 10/2nd. Also http://www.unemployedworkers.org 10/1/09. Have a blessed AND relaxing weekend everyone!
I don’t why the Senate took two weeks on health-care. They don’t need the Republicans to pass anything. Just maybe they would like to retain their seats in 2010. Unemployment is more important at this point in time. JOBS is what the economy needs first. No jobs, no help for the unemployed, “no money to pay for any kind of health care”.
And for anyone else that reads this….too often we worry about what we cannot control. When your head is full of unemployment overload…its time to see what else is going on around you. Get up out of your chair, away from the computer…and take time to exhale. There are other things happening around you…when’s the last time you were outside enjoying the warm or cool weather? Had a chuckle or conversation(non-unemployment related) with your family ? Take a break….this will all be here when we return : ) Happy Friday everyone, stay thankful, and keep smiling!!!
Looks like there may be another snag in passing this bill..
http://tinyurl.com/yba39l9
Key Senator Introduces Legislation that Provides Extended Benefits to Workers in All States (October 1, 2009)
Today, Senator Max Baucus, Chairman of the Finance Committee, introduced legislation (Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act of 2009) that provides additional weeks of federal jobless benefits to workers in all states.
Chairman Baucus’ bill, which builds on the House measure (H.R. 3548) that passed last week providing more weeks of benefits for workers in high unemployment states, helps set the stage for quick Senate action and passage of extension legislation that will help 400,000 workers who are running out of their benefits this month and 1.3 million who will do so before the end of the year.
Under the Baucus bill, workers in all states will receive an additional four weeks of federally-funded jobless benefits. Workers in high unemployment states – those states with unemployment rates over 8.5% (currently 23 states) – would receive an additional 13 weeks of benefits, totaling 17 weeks of additional federal assistance. In contrast, the bill that passed the House of Representatives provided 13 weeks of additional assistance to states with over 8.5% unemployment.
Action on the Baucus bill is expected in the second half of next week. Given the strong support in the House for HR 3548, we would expect that the House would strongly support this new package if the Senate passes it. Thus, our strong hope is that the Senate bill will become a framework for passage…..unemployed workers.org
Btw I dont know if anyone seen President and also Biden?s press video so Im sending link just in case even though have wrote few times but wrote again cause I thought neither really answer what we needed to hear. And already knew what was said no brainer but at least something for now seems at least its picking up speed now.Even though the delay in between and all is not right .
President
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/33144562#33144562
Biden
http://www.c-span.org/Watch/Media/2009/10/02/HP/R/23865/Unemployment+Rate+Rises+to+98.aspx
First time have ever saw msnbc.msn.com their video?s very nice on there.
10 WEEK S O- INCOME
TOO LATE NO PHONE—
— NO ELECTRIC
—- NO HOUSE PAYMENT
—– NO GAS
I WISH I WAS ON WALL STREET
OR A I G
THANK S GOV REEL GOOD JOB
JUST ABOUT TWO MONTH S TOO LATE
If anyone has any updates on H3548 getting to the floor and being talked about please post!
Thank you
Sunday morning on abcnews link below with George Stephanopoulos they said live senate will pass a bill this week.
http://abcnews.go.com/ThisWeek
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=8747101
Second video on bottom of page saying they are going to pass a bill in senate this week.
Hey everyone, I just went to fluidnow.com to see if anything was posted there. Nothing different–I went to my claim page to check the information and when I enter my ss and password, I get a message that the ss# and password are not in the system. This has never happened before and I have been in the system since Dec 2006–even after benefits ran out—and at one point from June 2007–July 2008 I did not receive any benefits, it still remained in there. Has this happened to anyone else.
It said they are NOT in the system. Sorry
Does anyone believe that there will be a bill approved this week. I am going on a month without a check and am not sure how much longer i can last without money. All i see is that they are delaying even looking at the bill and weeks not days keep passing us by. It is crazy that they are letting this happen to us again, I went three months without money the last time, i hope that they get this done sooner. Good luck to everyone!!!!
i have run out of unemployment and have had no luck finding a job i live in pennsylvania and see that is one of the states eligible for the 13 wk extention, although on the list above it does not mention pa. i have not worked and have no money please let me know if pa is one of the states that may get the 13 wk extention. thank you.