Seems like H.R 3404 should have been signed before now. I see no improvement of employment opportunities and have been looking for a job full time. I Just graduated and have a degree in electronics and computer technology. it seems to have been a waist of my money and time. I have 3 kids to feed and a house to pay for with a degree that I can't pay back because lack of employment. I can tell you this much, I'm not unemployed from lack of looking for work that's for sure. I'm on my last EB check with no light at the end of the tunnel. Everyone knew that 20 weeks of EB was not enough and they just let it run out . Not much has changed from 20 weeks ago and it won't for some time to come. Maybe I'll start looking for a good spot on Wacker Drive to sleep. Thanks

I just called the tolll free number 866-243-0238 noted above in your article and a recording states the number has been discontinued.

I have run outta unemployment in july, they can bail out all the fat cats, but us little folks are falling at the wayside and fast! are they serious? you cant just drag your feet and let thousands loose everything, they knew that this was gonna happen! congress and their BS! its like someone is drowning and they gotta all get together and have a pow-wow to figure out "if" they should throw a rope or not!!! come on! how are people going to get through this winter? do they really care? they had better think this over, really soon too. humans will do almost anything to protect their Familes, I dont think these idiots understand the magnatude of whats really going on! there are no jobs!!! and the ones that do open are gone like one curnel of corn among a thousand chickens! gone before it hits the ground! there will be a civil uprising like never before if they dont help these people out. do they think were all just lazy and want a hand out? I was making good money before the bottom fell out. their pocket change is barley enough to get by. but without it??? let them sit on their hands and watch some more, this ought to get real good about the time it gets cold out. and our taxes pay these guys what? get ready for a ride america! our Goverments stearing us into hell!

I'm like the two postings above. I have a family to support, and I have been raised Catholic, but I understand why person's have committed suicide, and it's a shame that there may be more in the future. The government should help the apartment renter's and their Landlord's with their mortgage situation. I won't be able to afford the high rent asked for, and no one will rent to me for cheaper if I don't have good credit and/or a job. So now what? Do I sit in my apartment without electricity and/or heat and wait for the cops to physically remove me from my home? Why won't the government help us? I'm a mother who is educated, a taxpayer, and have worked since I was 15 years old. I'm 38 and am sick of feeding my son peanut butter and jelly sandwiches because I can't afford meat. My tears just roll down my face in anger and shame as I type these words. I've never been so ashamed in my life, having to receive food stamps, public aid and hand outs from family. I feel as though I should hand over my son to one of them, and just do myself in. I pray every day, I never used to. I cry just as much as I pray. My son sees this, and can't understand why this is happening to us. I have resentment for others who have more than I do. I pass them on the street and curse at them. Why? Jealousy, yes. I've lived my life as a good person, and now, this situation has made me so bitter and angry. This just isn't fair. God help us all.

You do realize we are all just a number on a computer, and my experience with unemployment in the last year is to just be patient, the computer pukes out info to everybody, sometimes the same and sometimes different, if you get a letter stating you are ineligible, wait until Thursday's mail of the same week and see if the information is COMPLETELY different than you just worried over for 4 days. Mine has been. I'm ready to become Omish.

My unemployment from EB is about to run out in 3 weeks. I have applied to over 300+ jobs and nada. I have about 15 years experience in project and volunteer management in health care settings.

I REALLY hope they pass another extension!

I've had friends with inside contacts call employers, send emails, walk my resume over to people's offices and nothing. It is REALLY tough out here.

My neighbor down the hall lost her condo to foreclosure, my other neighbor almost did and lots of folks in my building have been laid off.

This is the first time in my life that I've been happy that I'm a renter! My friends that own are really having an additional hard time.

It sucks out here!

Hi everyone and thanks for posting your stories for others to read. I'm also about to run out of my unemployment. I have my AAS, BA and 18k in student loan debt (only debt i have and i have refused to pay it back until they decide to "take" it from me). My boyfriend and I are early 30s with 3 children. BF has BARELY hung on to his job, only because of seniority. His take home pay is about half what it used to be because of the cut back on hours, but yet he still has to pay the same child support and very expensive insurance. He would actually bring home more on unemployment. Not to mention the wear and tear on his vehicle for the 60 mile round trip every day, to get to and from his job. This man risks his life and health everyday for about $250-300 a week take home if they get to work a full week. He has been critically injured (burned with molten aluminum, foundry worker) at this job twice in the 4 years I have known him. He is still plugging along but getting screwed big time due to these circumstances. We live very modestly with very little debt (because we don't make a lot) and I'm still very very worried. I keep checking back with this site to see if there are any updates regarding the extension. I have read and re-read the comments on this page and have shared some of your stories with my family. I'm not a religious person and I don't "pray" but you are all in my thoughts. The folks that have not lost their jobs, yet, don't really understand. This is NOT about a handout. This is about a gov that ran our economy into the ground and evaporated jobs. And a lot of the people that still have jobs are working for much much less and doing more and more work. It feels more like a demolition than a recession/depression. My gut feeling tells me that an extension will probably come through...eventually. But it won't last long enough and we will all be right back in this position with even less jobs out there. I don't feel like we can count on anyone but ourselves/families/friends. Energy costs are going to be terrible this winter. Food cost is going to go up due to crop failures and shortages around the world. And inflation is inevitable due to the endless printing at the federal reserve. I beg everyone to talk to their families/friends about "what if". If someone has a big home, and you've got food stamps, you've got a solution. We can outsmart these heartless fools if we all pull together. Alone, we won't make it.

My husband has been laid off since Feb 4, 2009. He has ran out of the 26 week unemployment and is just starting the emergancy unemployment. They tell him he only gets 20 weeks of emergancy unemployment. What happened to the extra 13 weeks that the was signed to start right away in july? What happened to the 33 weeks it states on here and on the unemployment website. They told him that the 33 weeks ended july 1, 2009 and after this 20 weeks there is 20 weeks of state unemployment. Anybody have any light on this? Or are we getting a line of bull from the unemployment office? My husband puts in 10 to 15 resumes a week has gotten about 4 interviews and that is it since feb. We are getting worried that we have busted through our savings and retirement to stay afloat. What the heck is going to happen to all of us who are trying to get employment to no avail and the unemployment runs out? at this rate only the rich can have any quality of life and will be able to someday retire.

IVE GONE THROUGH THE CLASSIFIED ADDS EVERY SINGLE DAY POSTING A RESUME FOR ANY AND EVERY SINGLE JOB FOR THE LAST YEAR, AND SO FAR ONLY GOT 3 INTERVIEWS!!!!!! THIS ECONOMY IS STILL REALLY SCREWED UP HERE IN ILLINOIS, THE GOVERNMENT IS SUPPOSE TO HELP THE PEOPLE RIGHT? WELL HAVE YOU LOOKED AT OUR UNEMPLOYMENT RATE THIS MONTH!? PEOPLE NEED HELP, WERE NOT LAZY LIVING OFF THE GOVERNMENT WITH OUR "FREE MONEY" AS ALL OF MY FRIENDS CALL IT. WE ALL PAY TAXES FOR A REASON, AND THE GOVERNMENT TAKES A GOOD CHUNK OF IT. WHERE IS IT ALL GOING. I CAN TELL YOU WHERE IT IS NOT GOING, IN THE POCKETS OF PEOPLE THAT ARE HAVING A REAL HARD TIME GETTING BY, AND THEY WANT TO CUT OFF WHAT LITTLE INCOME THAT THEY PROVIDE BECUASE THEY THINK THAT WE HAD AMPLE AMOUNT OF TIME TO GET A JOB. WELL I GOT NEWS TO ALL OF OUR STATE REPRESENTATIVES. TRY TAKING YOUR LUXURIOUS WORRY FREE SHOES OFF AND STEP IN A PAIR OF THE 10.4% OF ILLINOISANS THAT ARE GOING TO LOSE THE TINY AMOUNT OF UNEMPLOYMENT BENIFITS IN THE NEXT FEW WEEKS.

PLEASE PASS THIS BILL...... YOU WOULD BE HELPING A LOT OF GOOD PEOPLE BY KEEPING FOOD IN THERE MOUTH AND SHELTER OVER THERE HEAD!

I do not live in Illinois but rather Ohio and we are in the same boat, only slightly worse at 11.4% unemployment. It is amazing to read what you all have written here. I can relate to all of you and thank you for sharing. I have been without a job now for just over a year. I have applied to over 500 jobs, some in my chosen profession but most outside it. I have a college degree (BA) and a very proven track record. I have received 22 interviews...that is around a 4% rate of interviews to reumes/applications. That would dishearten even the most optimistic among us. I am a broken man. Numb. And I dont know where to turn for help. My unemployment benefits end this week and without it I can survive for only a month. It is a matter of life for many of us and without it that smallest of hope is gone. PLEASE come down out of your towers and pass this bill that should have been done before you went on your vacation. When I did have a job, I would have never gone on vacation without my work being done... AND I am the one who cant find work!!! God bless you all and may you all find your way out of this barren desert our Government has led us into.

Reading the stories here is very disheartening...especially when I have to realize that my story and life are in line with all of those here. I lost my job in December 2007 because of an issue that IDES determined was not a fault of my own so they awarded me with my unemployment case. I wasn't concerned at the time because the times weren't really bad at that time so I figured I'd take my time and find the job I really wanted. I guess that's were I made my error because a couple months later I saw that I was getting no bites on my job searches. About a month later, I dropped my pride and started searching for basically any job because my benefits were getting close to running out. I felt relieved when they added that initial extension and I kept up my job searches. Time warp to the present and I have found myself in prayer everytime we've gotten to this point where I'm at the end of the last extension. There's been a few times where the government has allowed my benefits to end for a few weeks and the only thing that has allowed me to survive is the few times I've moved back into my mother's home along with my family (how about that for embarrassment?). Apparently, I get too much from unemployment to qualify for food stamps and that's no matter how much my rent may be (according to the welfare worker...mind you, I don't receive the maximum). To make matters worse, I guess the welfare worker became upset that I met with her to find out if I could receive a bit of food stamps being that I moved into an apartment and my unemployment is basically used up paying the bills so she sent me a letter the next week informing me that I also get too much for medicaid so I've been cut off.

Now that I've given a bit of insight into my sad story, my gripe with the government when it comes to receiving these benefits for those of us who have gone through all the extensions is this requirement to list new job searches for every certification. I would normally not mind doing this, but do they realize that I've been unemployed since 12/.2007? Who the heck have I not tried to get a job from in all this time. I've had to resort to re-applying for the same jobs that have already told me no. This requirement makes me feel even worse because it reminds me of how low I've fallen. I have 2 college degrees but I messed up by getting them in the social service field...who's hiring? no one, in fact, the agencies are trying to simply survive. I've applied at all the fast food chains & everything else I could think of. Well, I just had to get that off my chest....thanx.

My heart and soul goes out to each of you. Remember, you musn't give up. God supplies our needs, not our wants. I have become the most frugal person when I go to the grocery store, I find the most feet on a toilet paper roll and buy that pack instead of just grabbing a pack like I used to. I was fired back in February of 2007 because the woman I worked for was a complete control freak, and I happened to think for myself instead of being her little robot. Well, I am going on 50 and have been out of work for over 2 years now. I know the feeling of being a broken man. I don't even feel like a man anymore...I feel very worthless and have become so cold toward the whole scheme of things. I feel there is no light at the end of the dark tunnel I am crawling through, but as all of you, I will continue to crawl until I can stand again in the light of day. The officials really should come down to our level once and live like we do for a month, hand to mouth. Let's see how fast a bill will get signed then. Remember Geraldo Rivera living on the streets for a week? He was shoulder to shoulder with people in utter devestation, their lives had been ruined by either drugs or losing a job. Although he couldn't "REALLY" understand the poverty of it all since he could get up and leave the situation anytime he wanted to, he actually did see the need that people need to help their fellow brothers and sisters, and a lot of the time, the down and out guy was in that predicament because he had lost his job, house, car, etc. etc. It's time America pulled together and helped their fellow man out of the ditch.

I want to tell you how much your stories made me fell so sad I started shaking.i wanna apologize for my english its not perfect since I'm born in Serbia.I lost my job in jan 09 when I was 5 months pregnant.After working for 7 years my co workers and I became really good friends.After I got laid off belive it or not no one ever called me not even once.Made me realize how cold people are and how your own friends don't care.No wonder our government acts this way.they don't know what its like to walk in the shoes of regular citizen who strugles everyday.I'll tell you one thing.I never liked Rod Blagojevic because he was one of them who approved bombing of my country even though his parents were born in that country, but this new governer is nothing but a demon.just look at him and how he's rising our taxes.shame shame.people are loosing everything and this is what he does.makes me sick just when I see him on tv.Where is all the money they collected in taxes.why they wont help people.everything is going down.next time a find a job I'll require to be paid in cash tax free because this is BS.Everyone please pray for good health on the first place.

Another Bill

S.1647
http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-s1647/show

Act now: http://www.unemployedworkers.org/page/speakout/FederalExtension

Also, read the following: http://www.unemployment-benefits-expert-consulting.robtencerpr.com/unemp...

IF they do throw a rope, it will be to late for many many people, once your behind on everthing that far, its impossable to stay afloat , and landlords dont care about our story why we aint got the rent! elect. comp's shut you off!!! they dont care! all uttilties will just simply shut you off! I cant belive these suits just want to put it off and let as many that will drown. drown, simple as that. I can see why there are anti goverment groups in our country! but even their BROKE!!!! the prisons are full and about to get fuller! hell at least they feed you!! and you wont freeze to death!!! mabey if I got caught stealing a pack of bolona they will take me in?????????DAMN!!!!!!!!!!!!

MY eb runs month Ago and ilive with out job and with out money and iam stell waithng when the coungrees pass the bill but when and how ...??

any one know any new news??

A follow up to my last post, links to the Library of Congress which provide greater detail.

H.B. 3404: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.3404:

S. 1647: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:S.1647:

Remember to bug your Reps, night and day, to get this passed NOW!

Here's a great article from today's Washington Post:

http://voices.washingtonpost.com/economy-watch/2009/09/actual_unemployme...

By when will we find out if they are going to approve bill H.R. 3404? I ran out of my extended benefits and am very scared right now.

I've been researching this extension thing alot and as far as Illinois goes , I can tell you we will for sure get the 13 weeks of benefits and there should be no break. I would want to say they would be available for next week. IDES is saying that an extension is already passed for Illinois. We might even get lucky and get 20 weeks since we are in double digits now for our 3-month unemployment average. But for sure the 13 weeks. Whats kinda screwed up is the fact that we would run out right before Thanksgiving and that would be pretty cold if they stopped passing extension before the holiday season. It worries me because the jobs won't be any better plus who knows if congress is around during the holidays to really be working on things. They should just make it easy and pass the 20 weeks for now to put us to January. Atleast know you are okay for the next 3 months. Gives us alittle more time to take a deep breath. Lets hope the senate bill passes before the reps bill because it's alot better! Every one take care and good luck!

Besides the 33 weeks and 20 weeks they already passed, there is another extension. Gov Pat quinn has announced that Illinois has recieved the rest of their money which includes extension money. He didn't really make it clear wether it was for 13 weeks or 20. I am waiting to find that out, but there should be no break in benefits and they should be in your balance before your card is ready to get charged again. Unfortunitly IDES just isn't too good on telling people what's going on and explaining anything. They always wait til the last min to make people aware of the extensions. You should all get a letter in the mail soon saying how many weeks you get, otherwise just keep calling on your next call-in date and your card should be charged your regular amount.

I saw that too on the ides homepage, but I am still wondering when the last week of the current Illinois extension is,,,,The homepage still isn't too clear, I just want to know so I can quit wondering and waiting, if another is passed,,,GREAT! But if anyone knows when the current one ends could you please post?? THANKS!!! GOOD LUCK TO ALL!!!

Can anyone post a link regarding a new extension (if this is allowed)? I have read the newest press releases from the IDES website and the wording is very confusing to me. From what I have read it is stating that the last 20 week extension (originally 13 with the added 7 weeks) will just continue on...as in continue to be available for people who have not used up regular benefits and are just starting or will be starting the state extended benefits. From the way I am reading this information, it doesn't appear that people who have already (or are about to) exhausted the 20 week state extended benefits will be getting anything else. I really hope that I'm wrong and please correct me with some good info asap if i am wrong. I didn't think that they would let this happen, but now i feel very uncomfortable after reading that...

I found this article on the Washington Post... I hope this will shed some light for many who are looking for straight answers!

CONGRESS MUST EXTEND UNEMPLOYMENT: PELOSI

Reuters
Thursday, September 10, 2009; 12:15 PM

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Congress must extend unemployment benefits before they expire for the 1.5 million Americans who risk exhausting them, House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi said on Thursday.

"We cannot let that run out," Pelosi said at a news conference. "It's pretty clear cut ... this is very necessary for us to address that."

Pelosi did not say when the House intends to act.

The unemployment rate stood at 9.7 percent in August, the highest figure since 1983, and is expected to remain high well into next year even as the economy recovers from the worst economic downturn since the Great Depression of the 1930s.

Roughly 6 million people were collecting long-term unemployment benefits at the end of August, according to the Labor Department.

Hi. I just got my last unemployment check last week. I have a roof over my head till the end of the month, and then I either get on the street or go to live with my girlfriends, where there are minimal jobs - everyone else I know is putting up their families, etc. I have a job interview tomorrow, and if I don't get this job, I don't know what I will do. I am a bookkeeper;/property manager and it is terrible out there - most of the people I knew in this industry are gone or working for drastically less.

Pray for me and I'll pray for you. Hope there is more help coming, but I'm not going to bet on it. I hope people start paying attention to NAFTA type items and Contracts On America and things like that and stop voting against their own interests. In many respects WE BROUGHT THIS DOWN UPON OURSELVES.

After reading these comments I'm now even more confused!

Here is my situation I hope someone here can set me straight: I'm just about to exhaust the original 26 weeks of REGULAR unemployment at the end of the month. From the IDES website, Emergency Unemployment Compensation or EUC08 will automatically kick in for an additional 33 weeks. EUC08 is the Fed Stimulus portion of benefits.

After reading some of the comments on here are you telling me its not 33weeks under EUC08? but 20 weeks and maybe 13 more? Please clarify if at all possible.

Further, my understanding is that when the EUC08 exhausts, then State Extended Benefits or EB kick in for an additional 20 weeks. The EB program has much more stringent certifying requirements, etc.

Someone with specific knowledge of this please help.

Thanks

after your 26 reg weeks of unemployment , your 33 week extension will kick in. When that's up then your 20 week extention will come. 79 weeks total of unemployment, hopefully more.....

Can Anyone tell me what months did the extention start in 08 and for how many weeks each extention? I never recieved a full 33 weeks, or a full 20 weeks. It was always broken up into like 7 weeks and 13 wees at a time! I don't believe I have recieved the full 53 week's I was entitled on the extended program.

All I'm hearing is alot of talk about the Extention! Does anyone know a for sure DATE?? Talking about it, and getting everyones hopes up is not helping a family that has to pay their rent and feed there family! If someone knows... PLEASE share!!

HI, I usually go on the washington watch website with my comments, but I want everyone here to know that each little voice does add up and help because everyone on that web site said to call your congressman and ask about the bills and when congress will act on them. We all bugged the heck out of their offices the last two days and now you can read this http://www.house.gov/mcdermott/pr090910.shtml
he just introduced a new bill to match the senate and hopefully it will pass quick now. I know the senate's bill s. 1647 is up for talk with congress on 9/15 so something should get going by that date. Hang in there, it shouldn't be much longer! email or call your congressmen to get this going faster! They will see it's in high demand! Better yet email the president directly at www.whitehouse.gov
he needs to address this now!

Thankyou Tiffany... I just emailed the President a very nice letter. So Hopefully he will recieve it! We all know they recieve thousand's of emails a day! I encourge all of us on this site to do the same! Blessing's...

I also just emailed the Whitehouse.
My last check was 9/2/09. I lost my job in January '08. I've been here since the beginning. I'd like to be able to help explain to those of you with questions about all these extensions. It is confusing. So, all I will say is that for the last 18 months I have received unemployment insurance benefits. Most of the time the extensions were automatic. Once or twice I had to go to my local office to clear up some sort of glitch in my paperwork. From what I've read & learned, there will be more assistance, but it sounds like I am going to have to wait a few weeks before it kicks in. I'll "call in" this Monday, but I don't expect a check on Wednesday.

These extensions stress me out so much whenever they're about to run out that it makes me start laughing cause I feel like a kid on christmas or something whenever I find out a new extension is here. It's pretty sad I get that excited, Like I just won the lottery! We all know I'd be living in a cardboard box with my 1 and 4 year old right now if there were no extensions. I feel like my new job has been filling out applications day in and day out. It never ends, it's like ground hog day! At this point I'd be shocked if someone called me right now and said you're hired! lol. Honestly if they stop extensions people are gonna be homeless and there's gonna be alot of crime out there. They may get desperate and start robbing banks, ect... So America might be worse off if they don't help the people!
What does everyone else think?

I enjoyed reading the annoyomous posting at 9/11/09 at 00:38. Before I returned to work las week I was addicted to over twenty sites, combing them for 3-4 hours a day, plus reading the Chicago Tribune and Washington Post for ANY news on a possible extension.
But, on a more serious and practical note, Tiffany, with all her great advice, has suggested emailing the President, voicing your concern. I think that's not the best course of action for any REAL, SWIFT results. The White House has already indicated that they will sign any unemployment extension bill sent to them from Congress. So, on that end of Pennsylvania Ave,, it's a done Deal. The decision makers who hold your future in your hands are your US Representitive and Senator(s). They are the one's that have to been pushed, prodded and yes, harrassed, to get two existing Bills, H.R. 3404 and S. 1647 out of their respective Committees, then on to Bill Consolidation which would then be sent to the President, who as said before, is just waiting for a Bill to sign. So, write, call or email your Congressman AND Senators. I'm providing a link below for anyone who is unsure or who does not have the contact info:

https://writerep.house.gov/writerep/welcome.shtml

Remember, it has to start with them, THEN it goes to the President for it to become law. And they are the most vulnerable: alot of them are up for reelection next November, and campaigning has already begun. THEY NEED YOUR VOTE to keep THEIR Job! That's how you play the Game: Hardball! Good Luck and best wishes to all.

Scott B in Elgin summed it up very well in a few short sentences: 18 months of benefits with most of the process being automatic. Call your Congressman, Scott, and best of luck.

Thank You for putting the fire out Josh! I honestly meant no harm by my comment's! I'm new to all of this! Never again! Now let's move forward! I was told that a new extention will be in efect as earily as next week! I hope that's true! I wish everyone well!

hello, us folks that happen to live in border states and work in illinois seem to be dealt with diffrently, there are no real towns around here just rual. thats why we work in ilnois, but the last exstention they had to pull some strings for me because I live in Iowa, but worked in illinois. I hope if they do give a exstention that this wont disrupt my getting it? last time they said because I live just across the river I was ok, but since it brought up a problem to begin with makes me nervouis, there aint nothing here either, good luck folks.

Latest news on Unemployment Extension Bills in Congress:

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.3548:

Don't forget: Congress is where it starts, then the President signs it. CONTACT YOUR CONGRESSMEN!!

Gov. Jon Corzine knows how to get things don.! Along with bugging your U.S. House Representitive and U.S. Senators, write or email these guys, too!

http://www.njbiz.com/article.asp?aID=79180

Another good article published today:

http://www.detnews.com/article/20090913/POLITICS03/909130304/Future-of-u...

I just want to give everyone who doesn;t have it, the info on contacting the offices tomorrow and asking about bill hr 3548 and how important it is to get this passed. Make sure you are nice on the phone and respectful so we don't piss anyone off. heres the #'s for mcdermott, pelosi, and the ways and means commitee.....202-225-0100...202-225-3106...202-225-3625. Also please email americanvoices@mail.house.gov
and mcdermott and manzullo's offices. If we all do our part then maybe we can draw some attention to this. Thanks everyone!

Dave, you are so helpfull, I think you are a wonderfull man. I would sure like to buy you a coffie sometime for you helping us. thank you Dave you sweet wonderfull man.

Dear readers,
There is a reality out here that most of the "nay sayers" and politicians don't realize. Most of us have worked for 10,15,25 years and paid taxes, unemployment insurance,not to mention donating to many causes. I have been layed off since Feb 2008. I worked for 25yrs in my field. I have pounded the pavement and gone on more interviews during this crisis than I have in my entire life. I don't have a college degree and am 46 years old. For those who say we are lazy and living off of the system i say this,thanks to the stress of all of this i have suffered a stroke, I have lost my home, my cars, and am about to lose the rental home we have. My wife and four children are frantic. My kids are too young to work and my wife has a minimum wage job. I know of two people who have committed suicide and many who have come to the realization thet they are worth more dead than alive.(insurance) WE JUST WANT TO WORK!!! To the politicians,Rush,Hannity,Beck,and the blondes of Fox news (and there supporters) Please take a moment and ask someone you know who has been effected by this crisis. This is not what we define as a vacation and the "handouts" (that we paid for in advance) dont allow us to live on easy street as you may think. Some of us CANNOT afford to wait for the government to chime in a day late and a dollar short with an extension that should have already been put into place months ago. Go back to school, Take a lower paying job, Go into another field. We are not teenagers that have the option of moving home nor are we in our 20's any more . Some of the "solutions" are just unrealistic. One commenter stated that we should take advantage of this time to get involved in a hobby or read a book. Give me a break! have you ever looked into the eyes of a hungry child or a child whos trying to wrap their mind around the fact that they cant go back home? (due to foreclosure) Take my shoes , walk in them and then tell me how I should deal with this mess that I DIDN'T CREATE! B/T/W due to my age and new health problems (no health ins) McDonalds won't even hire me.

Hang in there Terry, you are not alone okay?

Just be strong for your kids, and remember that this too will pass...

There is going to be an extention according to IDES! There just not sure of an exact date! Call your local IDES office!

Terry....You will get through this, trust in God. You have a wonderful wife who loves and supports you and children that love you. You may be poor financially but you are more rich then any man because you have the best life has to offer, a loving family who sticks by you. Your day will come. Be happy in that. Atleast you are not alone. I think about that everyday when I'm with my family. Hang in there friend!

Hi all...

I have read all of the post, and it seem's we are all in this slowly sinking boat together! With my understanding, they are going to extend the unemployment payment's, but I do believe this will be the last time! I know what ever it is this time 13 week's/ 20 weeks? That will not last for long! So what are we all going to do then? I know they wont continue to extent the payment's!!!! I'm going to say a prayer for all of us tonight! This is a very sad time in America!

My EB benefits just ran out too. If not for the LDS church and friends, I would be living on the street. This past year and a half have been horrible! I don't even know where to start. My husband and I both have student loans (over $75k) and we can't find work with the skills we went to school for. I am an interior designer and my husband went to computertraining.com. The future looks very bleek. We have been able to squeak by with the low-paying job my husband does have and my unemployment and help with our rent. Now that the unemployment is gone we may lose our car, our townhouse, etc. We have no insurance so we have no access to healthcare - and believe me I've tried to get help. We both have health problems so the longer we go without medical care the more difficult life is. Sometimes I fear I couldn't do a job even if I had one. I don't want disability - I could work if I got help. Anyway, I don't know what to do now. I have sent out hundreds of resumes during this time. My husband has sent out over a thousand. I don't know what else to do but get up each day and try again. I have contemplated suicide many times. I don't really want to die, I just feel tired and used up and the fear grinds on me. It is truly a miracle that I am still alive and despite the problems, well enough. I get by on faith and what hope I can muster. My wallet may be empty but my heart is full of the Spirit. By the grace of God go I.

I think they are only gonna pass one more too. That's why I think they are waiting to cover christmas so they don't have them run out right before otherwise. On a confusing note: althought mcdermott's bill states it's for 13 weeks, I got a reply back from an email I sent to Don Manzullo and he said they are working on mcdermott's bill to pass another 6 month extension. Either he doesn't know what he's talking about or he knows something I don't!

Yes Dave... This is heartbreaking! There will be many living in tent cities!! People trying to hold on to every little bit they have left, and slowly thats slipping away! Before long it will be all gone! Congress, and the Federal Goverment can only do so much for us! How on earth can posibly continue to take care of millions of American's? It's IMPOSSIBLE! Sad, but very true!

Well, lets hope it will be 6 months more Tiffany! God only knows Us American's need every bit we can get right now! That would be a Blessing! But tell me this... Do you so happen to know a date when this new Bill will pass? I hope soon because I have run out 2 weeks ago! Today should have been my call day for benefits! No Check for me on Wednesday! Thank God I payed up all my bills on my last check!

Hi Richard,

I don't know when the bill will pass. All I know is congress is taking a break from health care reform tomorrow to discuss the extension issue. I am hoping they will vote on it sometime this week. Everyone is saying it takes 2-3 after the vote for the money to reflect on everyone's balances. I think the system at IDES is already set up for this and it will be there in time for either next week(basically lose a week of pay) or in time for the next check. This is my opinion from what has happened in the past.

weeks but I don't think it will take that long

Sorry Tiffany... I had to read your message again, and now I understand its 2-3 days! Sorry about that! I hope this will put ease on everyones mind's tonight, and hopefully everyone is prepaired to have other options linded up because I truly think that this is going to be the end of the life line of Unemployment extentions! Right now our Government is Robbing Peter to pay Paul, and trying to squeeze money from every source to keep us afloat! It's not that they dont care, or this is something they dont want to do any longer, its the fact that they just simply can not afford to continue to pass out checks to millions of us. We are all in this thing together, and I pray everyone find a solution to there situations! Blessing's to you all, and may GOD Keep you in his hands!

Great comments with useful links or outright telephone numbers! CALL and email your Congressmen. If there's a 6 month option floating around, PUSH for it!! Tell them, as someone said here, "walk a mile in my shoes".... This could be your last chance to get anything from the Federal Government; after this, as said before, that will very probably be the end. Best of luck, and make the calls!! The Bill is up for debate in the Senate today!

Maybe it's not as grim as I thought: when Bob Herbert and the NYT get involved, Congress listens. Read this article from today:

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/15/opinion/15herbert.html?hp

God Bless all of you. I am in the same position. I lost my job in 2007. I have followed all regulations and rules that have come with the unemployment. I lost everything, and my fiance and i had to move back in with my mother. She also thinks that im just living off the goverment and her tax dollars, and i hear it everyday. I finally snapped on her even though it may seem wrong because she is in fact my mother. But to the people that read this please understand something. Not one of us is living off the goverment. If we could all have jobs and health insurance we would. This isnt fun sitting at home worrying about where your next meal is coming from, or if your going to be able to even take care of your kids. People i swear think that this is a free ride, and truthfully its not. thanks to my fiance and working for a friend of my dads its keeping us barely on the edge. i have to pay my mother rent and we have a 3500 dollar dentist bill which is 300 every month... and by food and he only makes 800 dollars a month.. I am hoping everyday that they pass this extension.. For all of you i hope they pass it as well. I think our goverment needs to focus a little bit more on the people and take a major break on this healthcare bill. I dont think they realize if they dont pass this extension what good is the healthcare bill going to do for those of us that are homeless. Good Luck to All in Your searches.

after the hearing today, they say they are gonna send the bill down by the end of the month. Thats not good cause that means we will probably see no money til mid october!

After finishing 26 weeks of unemployment, I received a UI Claimant Wage Information Sheet that said my weekly benefit would be $459 ($385 + $74). There is no mention that the $25.00 supplement will be included. Will the $25.00 supplement be included in the EUC08 for the 33 weeks?

Hmmmm... I wonder why they are waiting 2 weeks to pass the Bill. Something to think about.

Huh-- I'm sort of a "breaking news" fanatic and I didn't hear anything about a two week pass; I might have missed it. TERRY: please keep us all posted on how you're holding up; you've made alot of online friends who are genuinely concerned. Let us know.
And maybe overlooking the obvious, has anyone other than me sent this link to their Congressman/Senator? Mike Quigley got back with me, expressing his concern and support. I'd recommend it.

Is there a site with the information on it? I was also hoping for this with a family of six. Tired of worrying about this. No matter how hard you try nothing changes. Don't want to sound harsh but they get to go to bed at night knowing that they are able to support their family, not having to depend on the decision making of others the decide whether u deserve to have help at these hard times. I did not choose for my job to go overseas. My kids did not choose to have to change their lifestyle. I guess just being ordinary and honest doesn't cut it anymore. Hope everyone can get through these hard times.

Does anyone know of a site to go to for information and to keep updated?

you can go to open congress and search for bill 3548 and they have bloggers with info or washington watch which has the same.

Do you think it will go through. Is Illinois included in this. I think it is.

Here's you answer for the two week delay, and notice that an Unemployment Benefits Extension isn't even mentioned in this article. Health Care Reform and now the flap over that jerk, Congressman Joe Wilson, R-SC, are sucking the time and air out of DC and Congress. Perhaps H.R. 3404 and similar bills could be being held back for passage in an Omnibus Bill at the end of the month. For those researching and do not know, look for "Mark Up", on "opencongress' or "thomas" sites, If it's sent down to markup, they're serious about it and it will be on the respective floor in days. The KEY remarks are from Stenny Hoyer. Read this from this morning's Washington Post:

Full Slate of Issues Likely to Extend Lawmakers' Work Calendar
Spending Bills Dominate Agenda

By Ben Pershing
Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Even as health-care reform dominates the agenda, Congress is confronting so many other issues that lawmakers could be kept at work through the first frost of winter.

In addition to health legislation, which remains the subject of intense negotiations on Capitol Hill, an ambitious climate-change bill awaits action in the Senate after having passed the House. And on Monday, President Obama delivered a high-profile address in New York designed to reinvigorate the effort to reform the financial regulatory system.

Important as those items are to the president and Democratic leaders, all are technically optional. Congress also has a busy slate of imperatives in the coming months: funding the entire government for fiscal 2010, as well as dealing with the abolition next year of the estate tax and the expiration of the policy that guides money for maintaining highways.

"I think it's a very full fall agenda," House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) said in a recent interview, calling 2009 "one of the most issue-filled, substantive years" in his 28 years in Congress.

Congress is scheduled to adjourn at the end of October, but Jim Manley, spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (D-Nev.), raised the possibility that the "extremely ambitious schedule . . . will keep us here probably until December."

A large chunk of the remaining legislative calendar will be consumed by appropriations bills.

Two weeks before the fiscal year begins, the House has passed all 12 of its spending measures but the Senate has moved only four, and none has emerged from House-Senate conference negotiations. Congress will almost certainly have to pass a continuing resolution to keep the government operating.

"What we'd like to do is see if we can pass four or five conference reports prior to the end of September," Hoyer said. Then Congress would pass a short-term continuing resolution to keep the government funded and then, Democrats in both chambers hope, approve the remaining appropriations by the end of October.

Adhering to such a schedule would represent a victory for the majority party, given that the two chambers have tended in recent years to combine multiple appropriations measures into a large, messy omnibus bill.

Lawmakers also face a deadline on the Surface Transportation Act, commonly known as the highway bill; the current version of the measure will expire Sept. 30. Packed with infrastructure projects for every state, the bill always passes by a wide margin.

But while many interest groups have lobbied for a highway measure with funding for six years' worth of projects, it appears inevitable that a short-term extension will be passed this year instead.

"The real difference is whether we do an 18-month extension, which is what the Senate wants to do, or whether we do a full . . . reauthorization," Hoyer said, adding that the White House prefers the former.

Some lawmakers, including House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman James L. Oberstar (D-Minn.), have advocated a three-month extension, with the hope of trying again for a full-scale bill next year. But the current cost of such a measure would be $450 billion, a frightening sum to an administration dealing with record budget deficits.

In addition, Congress faces the need to raise the federal debt ceiling in the coming months. The House has voted to do so, but the Senate has not. Republicans will almost certainly use the opportunity to cast Obama as a profligate spender, so Democrats may attach the debt measure to a more popular bill, such as the defense appropriations measure.

The tax code is also on the clock this year.

If Congress does nothing, the estate tax will cease to exist in 2010 but then come back in 2011 at the higher rate that existed before President George W. Bush took office.

Currently, estates worth up to $3.5 million per individual -- $7 million per couple -- are exempt from the tax, with everything above that amount subject to a tax rate of 45 percent. Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.) has proposed locking in the current exemption and rate permanently, while Sens. Jon Kyl (R-Ariz.) and Blanche Lincoln (D-Ark.) have advocated increasing the exemption to $5 million per individual and dropping the rate above that to 35 percent.

Rep. Sander M. Levin (D-Mich.), a member of the tax-writing Ways and Means Committee, said he expects that the estate tax legislation will keep the rate "more or less where it is," as Baucus has suggested and Obama proposed during his presidential campaign.

Congress may not deal with the issue until later this fall, but there is no doubt it will be addressed.

"I think everybody's adamant that it has to get done this year, so it will get done," said Rep. Richard E. Neal (D-Mass.), also a member of the Ways and Means panel.

The economic stimulus package, which passed in February, included a handful of provisions that are set to expire later this year, including the tax credit for first-time home buyers. It is unclear whether Congress will find the time or money to extend it.

Democratic leaders do plan to extend unemployment insurance this year, as the slow economic recovery means that many job-seekers' benefits are running out. Several lawmakers are pushing for a 13-week extension.

In the next tier are the measures that do not require action but that congressional leaders are eager to complete this year. That list includes the defense authorization bill, which has passed both chambers and now awaits conference, and a food safety bill that has passed the House but has yet to receive Senate consideration.

With the encouragement of labor groups, Democratic leaders want to move the Employee Free Choice Act, or "card check bill," this year. But the union-organizing measure appears not to have the 60 votes necessary to proceed in the Senate. Immigration reform also remains on the congressional radar, though the White House and top lawmakers do not expect floor action on that front until 2010.

Some members are also pushing for completion of a bill that would authorize intelligence programs, though that has somewhat dimmer prospects for passage.

"I think it has to get done," said Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.), chairman of the intelligence panel, noting that an intelligence authorization bill was last signed into law in 2004.

Asked about the chances that a measure will be completed this year, Feinstein responded "60/40" in favor of action. Leadership aides in both chambers are more skeptical that a bill will be finished.

Hello Tiffany... I have read the artical that you are reffering to, and the Bill will not be signed until the end of September! Thank you for your continued reliable updates! Also... Having Plan B in place sounds like a good idea! Unemployment payment's are soon going to be a distant memory!

I am hearing that today they could decide when to vote and some states have already been approved. Has anyone else heard this?

No... I havent! Anyone else??

At this point, the only thing anyone can do is call TELESERVE and continue to check there balance, or simply wait for a letter in the mail from IDES! What else more is there?

Well I hope everyone can hang in there a few weeks, or maybe even find some work.

Mine ended today, even though I was sent the work form to fax in, and got a certification letter, but no funds when I called today.

Time to make a sign, "Will work for food"..

Yeah... I agree! It's either time to find any kind of job, or if you have a hobby, try turning it into a MONEY making business! No need being on the internet crying a river! Bye all!!

Then try turning "venting" into positive energy, toss your anger out the window, and use all of that negitive energy to find a dish washing JOB!

I called Tele-serve today and it said I have exhaused my entitlement to state extended benifits and there is no further unemployment program currently available. I called my local unemployment office and was so lucky to be able to talk to such a rude person... I just asked if they knew of any more extentions and she said "did you get a letter telling you all benefits have been exhausted" and i replyed yes and she said "well then if that's what it said then yes there is no more"...I know everyone else is in the same situation, so if anyone hears anything please let me know. The local office dosen't seem to want to give out any information.

Excuse me, Anonymous (not verified) on Wed, 09/16/2009 - 13:58, you are rude. Do you happen to be one of the congress people that is causing this nightmare for us all? You sound like one of them. Now here are some ideas (what we really need, instead of rude comments)...It is not easy to get a job at mcdonalds when you have no food service experience and a college degree. They assume you will move on asap. Its easier said than done to land a minimum wage job when you are way over qualified. I have recently considered the idea of omitting most of my job experience and all of my education from my resume in order to land one of these jobs. I guess I would probably have to lie and say I've been a homemaker or something. Its just an idea and I think it stinks but it might work. Also, the other thing I have been spending most of my time doing is selling all of my belongings. Its sad but it is a way to get money. I do not think most people are sitting around crying on the internet all day, we are doing things we never dreamed of to get by and it is very sad. For some, a safe place to vent might be what keeps them from making terrible choices.

It's one thing to be on the net and share stories, ideas, or even sharing information. But it's another to come here or any place else to lash off ALOT of anger, and bitterness! It's not the fault you or anyone else has lost your jobs! I UNDERSTAND! All I'm saying is try a bit harder to keep it positive as possible! The world has enough GLOBAL WARMING! I guess Unemployment Checks are the New Welfare systme for alot out there! Have an excuse for everything!

All the anger, and bitterness on the website alone produce enough heat to fry an egg! What's up??

Shamful!!! I have read more Blues to make a HIT record, and heard more drama to make a box office hit from HOLLYWOOD! Just don't get it do?? So many act as if you are ENTILTED to those checks! Guess what... YOUR NOT! I have heard of so many people turning down jobs because they feel its not enough to take care of there family, but yet you continue to collect the unemployment! A part time jobe would be more than what your collecting! When is enough going to ever be enough? How long do you expect the Goverment is to take care of you? Do you understand that America is in DEBT! How many more excuses are ther going to be? I understand that most of the unemployed is TRULY down on there luck! But let me tell you this there are folks out there riding the sytem! AND YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE! You can call me what ever name you like! I'm simply telling you how it is! But I do have one name for EVERYONE that continue to make excuese, and turning down jobs! "BROKE"!!! Thats exactly what your going to be when the systems shut it down, and they put ear plugs in their ear! They wont hear you any longer! So my advice to you... You better find ANY job before this happens! Because for you, What's next? No... I'm not kicking you down, your kicking your self down! Lets be real!!

You talk like a fool, do you really think folks want to unemployed? remember dipstick, you had to have a job and loose it before you can even draw! this aint welfare, you pay into this yourself, but... your probably one of them folks on that there retard money, that our Gov. gives folks that aint right. so go back to your tv set and leave these folks alone. before someone finds you and takes ya out in the woods and makes right by you and your ways.

for one, who on here said they turned down work??? I know I havn't because I havn't even gotten calls for interviews in the last 2 months! I agree with you that there are probably people out there that take advantage of the system. For example people are drug dealers and make tons of money but still collect state aid. But you have to ask yourself something....No one is able to even collect unemployment unless you were laid off. You can't get it if you quit a job or get fired which means these people were doing their job and WERE WORKING so tyhey obviously are not lazy and taking advantage of the system. They were let go because the companies had to down size. I could see if someone has been on welfare for years with no jobs under their belt but these are people who have worked at the same place for 10, 20, 30 years and are well educated people. Alot of these people have went to school for a long time to be well paid and worked hard to get to where they are. I really doubt they did that to get paid less then minimum wage from unemployment! COME ON NOW! Nobody wants this as a life for themselves, People work because it makes them function and feel they are contributing something in their life. People are living off their saving and 401k they need for retirement. If these people were hard working enough to build a retirement for themselves then obviously they had no intentions in spending it all. Unemployment comes out of your social security. You have to pay that back no to mention all the years prior these people were working, they paid into unemployment insurance. So don't say it's a free ride because it's not free! I have one question for you: Do you have a job right now? because if you do then you have no place to act like you know how it is. If they're not out there busting your ass to find a job then you are clueless to how bad this economy is and if you were worried about having a roof over your kids head then you would be crying about this too! People will do anything to protect their own no matter how desperate the act!People need to get out of this fantasy land they're in. Notice everyone bad mouthing the unemployed are the ones who haave jobs and havn't been in our shoes? Funny huh

You must not have lost your job. We are in Debt for so many other reasons besides unemployment. No matter what the case is there will always be people riding the system including those we are counting on( from people in the gov to bank executives to ordinary people). There are also alot ( I like to think more) of people honestly trying and doing what they are suppose to do and it still isnt enough. If they are like me I have even looked for part time and they aren't out there. You would think over qualified would make you better at the job. The employers don't see it that way they think they have to pay more. Right now people are willing to settle for what they can get.

Like I said, call me what you like! I expect many to offended, and you should be! YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE, SO GET A J O B!! Go back to school and get re trained in a new field! Do something! Benefits will be running out sooner that you expect! Life is what you make of it!

I went to school for two year and got associates. Lets spell this so you can understand. NO WORK. That is in simple terms.

This person is just trying to stir zhit up. we all just act like they aint here and they'll go away.

That's fine if people go back to school and are forced to change their profession but HELLO that takes time! Last I knew you don't get a new profession in a couple days here! What do you do for money while you're working on this new profession and who's babysitting your kids for free while you're doing it since there's no money coming in? Also are you paying for my schooling and books cause last I knew it's not free? You can't ask people to do the impossible. People want to do these things but don't have the means. I'm sure every situation is different for everyone. People do take advantage of the system and IDES is atleast making people turn in there work search forms and auditing them to make sure people are looking for work. I don't know the answer in how to know the bad ones from the good ones. They need to figure that out down at IDES , but to stereotype every unemployed person as taking advantage of the EB is very ignorant of you! Since these people already had jobs before they were on unemployment proves they obviously were hard workers. you should be ashamed of yourself. Karma is a bitch and you may find yourself eating your own words soon. Not to mentions some of the unemployed are in their 50's and have wiped out their whole retirement fund and can't retire. You mean to tell me their plan is to take advantage of their unemployment? Such small minded people out there!

I said what I had say, now I sit back and watch my point be proven! My message was not for everyone unemployed! Go back and read everyone very CAREFULLY! It starts with a better attitude, and a good things will follow! I will not reply anyl onger. So go ahead and rant away! As I sit here with a bag of popcorn to enjoy the show! Bye Bye!! lol

The last thing I have to say is: what is this world coming to? If there are
people out there that are that greedy and selfish then America is going to shit! What ever happened to giving to those in need. People volunteer at homeless shelter and give money to the poor. How is this any different? We are not beggers on the street trying to get money for our next fix with drugs. We had jobs for a long time before this recession and have families to take care of. Aweful!

Why is everyone trying to explain themselves to this clown? To hell with this guy. I'll listen to this guys shit the day I go and knock on his door for a dime. Till then, he can eat a shit manwich. Who ever you are dude, I personaly don't give a rats wet ass what you think or say. And neither should the people on this sight. The fact remains that you are a powerless prick and no one needs to answer to you, I know I wont. You come in here like your somebody important trying to tongue lash people. If you were someone important you wouldn't have time to sit on your ass eating popcorn and trying to bully people on this sight. Now, can everyone ignore this fool and get back to the topic of this thread.

Hey, everyone: IGNORE the comments already posted, refuse to respond to any future comments, don't add fuel to the fire, and let's get back on topic. Yeah, you might remember, I went back to work a week and a half ago, but still monitor this site, 'cause I've felt the pain and frustrations expressed here and I try to post informative, not inflamatory views. It's 3:38 AM and I didn't want to spend ten minutes reading all of this stuff.
I will repeat my belief that a 13 week (minimum) extension of benefits will be passed in an end-of-the-month Omnibus Bill.
Best of luck!

Let's hope this gets figured out Tuesday. Not many people have until then. Some didn't have till now. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/16/AR200909...

http://schott.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/10/funemployed/

http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=funemployment

Reply to Funemployment (not verified) on Thu, 09/17/2009 - 15:28

Lets see if this gets posted on your NY Times..Still waiting Mods..But this is what I think of your "FUNEMPLOYMENT" p.o.s.

This is a load of b.s.

There is nothing fun about unemployment.

There is nothing fun when you can not make ends meet and your kids go hungry.

There is no fun in sending out 1,200 resumes in the last 9 months and not finding work.

There is no fun in having the last two companies that you have worked for and dedicated your life to move to Mexico.

There is no fun being told to go back to school when you are 40 and have little money to begin with.

There is no fun in losing sleep because you and your loved ones are one step away from being homeless.

There is no fun in having to lie about your work and college back ground so you will not seem to smart for that job at McDonalds..Then not get hired because you don’t speak Spanish.

Half a Million people will lose their unemployment at the end of this month.
A Million and a half by the end of the year…
We have job loss, not job growth.

Rome is buring and garbage like this gets posted?!
This to me this is just vile, and is here to divide us.

Walk in some else’s shoes before you pass judgement. Because before long it can and will be you.

http://bentcorner.com/2009/08/people-on-unemployment-are-the-new-welfare...

http://dayseye.wordpress.com/2008/06/17/officially-on-welfare-i-got-my-u...

For anyone that doesn't know: CNN said congress is voting on the extension wednesday!!

I am a 44 year old single mother and I lost my job 2 1/2 years ago due to the company shutting down so I decided to work as a temp until I could find something permanent. I never did find anything permanent but working as a temp was ok because it paid the bills. About a year later I was diagnosed with having congestive heart failure so it took about a year for me to get healthly enough to work again. Now that I am able to go back to work there is nothing out there even as a temp there is still nothing out there (extremely slow). My kids worry about me because I'm stressed most of the time my friends tell me to let it go and put it in God's hand but I can't help but to worry because I still have kids who depend on me.

We all are worried about being homeless, losing everything, and not being able to feed our family but what will happen after the last extension is exhausted if it is passed. People don't realize that when someone who has lost everything and has nothing to look forward or has kid to feed tends to become desperate. They start to look outside the box and do whatever it takes to survive or feed their family. I read a couple of stories about people contemplating suicide, people who are better off dead than alive for the insurance, or people like us who are throwing away their dignity just for a little help. But what about the ones that think the only way to survive now is to steal, rob, or kill. See now it becomes everyone issue working or not. God help us all because homeless is not the only problem we are going to face......

I am confused. I visited my local office 3 weeks ago because I knew my 26 weeks were about to be up. I wanted to make sure the EUC08 extension would come smoothly. I was told there would be no problem. I haven't received any letter from IDES, just my normal stuff + a note saying that if I didn't qualify for an extension they'd let me know. So I certified on Tue, and today is when I'd normally get a direct deposit...and it was only for half the regular amount. Calling Tele-Serve I find out that my benefits have been exhausted (which I know - the initial 26 weeks is up) and of course every time I call my local office I get a busy signal or a message saying the "general mailbox is full." Has anyone else experienced a delay in receiving their EUC08 extended benefits? Is there a secret number to call that they don't publicize? I'm trying to avoid a trip down there if I can since I had to sell my car a couple of months ago to help make ends meet.

1-800-244-5631

I collected my last check and called in my last time, no letter from unemployment this week or last week, so I am now in limbo. What I am getting out of this bill in Congress is if this amendment is passed, we will have to wait 6 months to get any unemployment benefits...am I reading it right? If so, I might as well put my vehicle up for sale to get some money to eat and pay the utilities for awhile. Jobs out here are IMPOSSIBLE to find. I dont know what I am going to do.

Researching and it appears if that don't pass another extension of additional benefits and your regular 26 weeks of benefits ends shortly AFTER the December 26th deadline, you are screwed and can only file for the additional 20 week maximum from Illinois. So, by actually working 2 min wage summer seasonal jobs night and day and barely exceeding my weekly benefit amount on a few weeks and thus extending my weeks I can collect past the EUC 08 deadline, I am actually worse off than if I did not kill myself working the min wage jobs! Do I have this right?

And what if your regular benefit year ends during the extension periods, but IDES establishes a new normal year based on new lower quarters for much lower checks when you could have had the extension at your older higher weekly benefit amount and extended that higher pay longer!

This isn't right, being punished for actually taking what I could find- min wage summer employment even though I am college degree educated and way over qualified.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB125329779060523537.html

Feel's like the world is coming to an end!

Here's some very current and useful info and links from N.E.L.P. Read it and act on it! The time is NOW!!

http://www.nelp.org/page/-/unemployedworkers/NewActionAlert.pdf?nocdn=1

Was there a delay in receiving your first extention, if there is how long? I am basically in the same situation as previous poster alh.

From what I can recall, there was not a delay! Like I have said before, this will be the last extention! I hope everyone will be prepared!

I just heard on Fox News that they are going to extend benefits for up to 59 weeks! Did I hear correctly? Can someone please let me know?

http://www.examiner.com/x-21037-Illinois-Statehouse-Examiner~y2009m9d17-...

Dear Friends,

Last week, Congress took some very important steps towards moving the extension of jobless benefits sooner than later. So, now is a critical time, as Congress engages in this issue in a big way, to once more let your voices be heard again and bring about urgently needed extra support for families like yours.

The House of Representatives will vote as early as Tuesday on a bill that will help clear the way for immediate action on the extension. Please take a minute to email your member of Congress, urging them to support a strong extension of jobless benefits. Click here to take action

Over 400,000 Americans are estimated to run out of all of their extended unemployment benefits by the end of this month, and by the end of December 2009 a total of more than 1.3 million will exhaust all assistance. (See updated talking points). Your actions have had a tremendous impact on the campaign to secure additional jobless benefits and support in Congress is growing.

Rep, Jim McDermott recently introduced streamlined legislation (HR 3548). The bill would provide 13 extra weeks of benefits to workers who run out of existing extensions this year and live in states with unemployment rates above 8.5%. The legislation would cover at least 25 states. The bill's focus on the crisis of workers exhausting all benefits now paves the way for quick action on the most immediate problem and defers until later the decision on other aspects of the existing unemployment benefit programs, slated to expire at the end of the year. Separating the issues in this manner will significantly advance the effort to get workers the assistance they need right now.

The first step to getting another extension is to move this House bill. It comes up for a vote as early as Tuesday, so it is important that you take action TODAY to contact your member of Congress in the House of Representatives. To move the bill rapidly under the Congressional rules that will apply to the vote on Tuesday, two-thirds of the House members will have to vote yes - meaning that we need Republican and Democratic support for the bill.

** TAKE ACTION: Click here to contact your Member of Congress to take immediate action on the issue of federal extended jobless benefits. Forward the action center link http://www.nelp.org/page/speakout/ExtBenefitsNow to everyone you know. Please also call your member of Congress to make sure they hear the message loud and clear by dialing the congressional switchboard at (202) 224-3121.

Passing HR 3548 is just a first step to getting a strong extension of benefits. NELP and others are working hard to forge a final bill that guarantees extra benefits to workers in EVERY state, not just those living in the highest unemployment states. That means it's critical for the Senate to come through with a strong bill that can pass right away.

Last Tuesday, the Finance Committee held a critical hearing moving the ball on extended UI benefits. In NELP'S testimony, we used the opportunity to call for more weeks of benefits for jobless workers in all states (10 to 20 weeks, depending on the state's unemployment rate), and a number of other critical reforms. Click here to read the testimony, and you can watch the video by clicking here.

The chairman of the committee, Senator Max Baucus, ended the hearing by stating that he would introduce extension legislation "shortly," which is major progress coming from this critical branch of the Senate. We know decisive action can't come soon enough for so many of you who are waiting anxiously for Congress to act.

NELP will continue to call for more weeks of benefits for all states and push for continuation of all the unemployment and COBRA benefits in the Recovery Act. Moving the House bill (HR 3548) is the first step--then we will train our attention on the Senate to act on more weeks of benefits for all states and continued the Recovery Act benefits fully into next year.

As we receive more definitive information, we'll pass it along. What's for sure is that we have only gotten this far because of workers like you. Together we want to keep the pressure on Congress to act immediately and deliver extra weeks of benefits to workers in every state of the country.

Thanks again for everything you have already done.

Best,
Andy, Tiphany and Maurice for
The National Employment Law Project's Unemployed Workers team

P.S. Please also email Tiphany Lee at tlee@nelp.org with your ideas for on line communities of jobless workers in your area that might join the fight for extended jobless benefits. As always, check back regularly for our updates on the extended benefit situation here. Please check back regularly and spread the word about unemployedworkers.org

Hi everyone! I just wanted to inform you guys that Andrew Settner from NELP emailed me and said for everyone to go to this link and let your voice be heard......http://www.nelp.org/page/speakout/ExtBenefitsNow to everyone you know. Please also call your member of Congress to make sure they hear the message loud and clear by dialing the congressional switchboard at (202) 224-3121. He stressed that it is really important that we do this today so we flood the emails and calls because they are probably going to decide what they are giving the states tomorrow. He also said the only reason this got pushed sooner is because of all the people calling and emailing. He said if for some reason the only pass this bill for states over 8.5% that NELP will make sure that ALL states get weeks by having a duplicate bill for states under 8.5%. I'm pretty positive everyone will get some kind of help. So lets all work together and bother these people again!

Thank you for the info Tiffany!!

From CQ:

http://moderateinthemiddle.wordpress.com/2009/09/21/unemployment-update-...

Ya know I was confused when Don Manzullo sent me an email stating that they were working on passing another 6 months of unemployment extensions. I didn't realize that what he meant was hr 3548 is 13 weeks and if they pass hr 3404 then that would be another 13 weeks. They really do need to extend the extensions to the end of 2010 otherwise that wouldn't be fair to the newly unemployed people. But do you think that would include another 13 weeks also then? Maybe they will pass that before the new year cause that's when we would all run out again. I'm sure they know from the reports that the job rates are going to get worse after 2009 so maybe that's what Manzullo meant when he said 6 month extension. If thats true then that would be great!

Hello Everyone... Just wondering if anyone heard any news yet about the extention? From my understanding they were voting to extend benefits today.

Thank's Josh!!

HR3548 passed the House.

Now on to the Senate,...

Lets hope they move a little faster..

After reading this article...

"""""Because the recession officially began in December 2007, people getting the full 79 weeks could be running out of benefits and would be entitled to the 13-week extension."""""

Does this mean people who lost there jobs before December 2007 will not be entitled to the extention? Can someone please answer this question????????????!!!!!!!!!

Does anyone have a clue when Senate to pass the Bill?

the bill was passed ann.... as for Confused im not sure but i hope that it does not mean that.

I know it has passed Congress... But when will it pass Senate?

from what i heard it passed late last night as well, and also from what i heard obama signed it last nite too.

Have anyone else heard this infomation? I haven't!!!

I have been unemployed since July 2007. I certainly hope it includes me if I am still unemployed. After this long time, you kind of give up hope. But lately, I have been "hitting the pavement". COLD CALLS. .

i actually didnt hear it.. My mother called and told me. the only news i know she watches is fox. so you can try thier website.. Like i said i havent heard that, my mother did.

I just heard on WBBM 780 that the senate passed the bill people

REALLYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! YEAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!! How long ago??

I heard on the car radio that it was passed by the senate today for states with unemp rates above 8%

WOW! That was fast! And GREAT news!!! Has anyone else heard this info?? I have not as of yet!

I hope this helps. Good luck to everyone and God Bless.

U.S. House passes unemployment extension bill
By Ed Brayton 9/23/09 7:02 AM
The U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday passed H.R. 3548, a bill co-sponsored by Michigan Reps. Gary Peters, Sander Levin, John Dingell, Dale Kildee and Candice Miller to extend unemployment benefits in certain high unemployment states for an additional 13 weeks. The bill passed by a 331-83 vote.

In a press release, Rep. Peters said:

“With the highest unemployment rate in the country, there’s no question an extension is critical for Michigan. An unemployment extension will help Michigan businesses and all of us by injecting billions into our economy. In fact, every unemployment dollar generates over $1.60 in economic activity. One in six Michigan residents are out of work through no fault of their own and are struggling to find a job and Michigan needs an extension more than any state. Congress has frequently extended benefits in previous recessions, and given that this is the worst downturn since the Depression, it is certainly appropriate to do so now.”

The legislation applies to all states with an unemployment rate above 8.5 percent. Michigan’s 15.2 percent unemployment rate leads the nation. Those whose unemployment runs out before the end of 2009 are eligible, with an estimated 25,500 Michigan residents immediately eligible for the extension and 62,800 eligible by year’s end.

An identical bill on the Senate side, S.1647, is co-sponsored by Michigan Sens. Carl Levin and Debbie Stabenow. That bill remains in committee but Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has promised a flood vote on the measure soon. President Obama has pledged to sign the bill if it passes.

See this link:

http://www2.wnct.com/nct/news/local/article/house_approves_extending_une...

The last line of the article is of special note:
"Lawmakers speculate the Senate could pass the bill in November."

I certainly hope the Senate can get off its ass and pass something sooner than that!

So the person stating they heard on the radio it passed Senate told a fairy tail?! Figures!

Hey Kevein, all: Check this out:

http://www.nasdaq.com/aspx/stock-market-news-story.aspx?storyid=20090923...

Hey Dave...

So what does this mean??? We have to wait longer than we all thought?

Does anyone know what that article meant above?

It means that the Senate is considering a longer extension with, MAYBE, addional benefits in some form or other, but, NOTHING will be done until the Finance Committee, chaired by Jim Baucus, D-Mont., is finished with their Health Care Bill announced last week and has over 570 Ammendments which the Committee has to plow through before passing the Bill onto the full Senate. I heard one estimate last night on MSNBC that it could be late October-mid-November at the earliest. But what I also heard, and totally agree with is that Washington works in a bubble and that the bubble has to be burst from the outside to get their attention. WRITE, CALL, EMAIL YOUR SENATORS, tell them you understand the importance of the Health Care Bill, but SUSPEND DEBATE, for just a moment, and pass their version of the Unemployment Bill so that it can go to on to Reconciliation with the House Bill and then on to the President for signing into law. MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD.

And, a final observation: the House is always safe ground for an extension; it's the Senate where problems always lie. There might be a silver lining in all this, if the Senate is considering a Bill that is longer in duration with more benefits- more realistic to what's going on in this country, AMEN. But, again, get them to act now!

Add-on to my last post: The Senate is also considering a BLANKET coverage benefit extension to ALL states, not ones with "high unemployment" status laid out in the House Bill... it's a work in progress, but hopefully a very fair one for every American struggling now.
Sorry, for the oversight-it's early.

Here's another decent link- help others in states that to not qualify for an extension under the House version:

http://readme.readmedia.com/news/show/States-Come-Together-to-Join-the-F...

Some people simply don't know what it's like to be in this position until there are going thru it themself's! My Holiday spirit is fading more and more everyday! SAD!

Reply to confused,
It seems that we are victims to political posturing and negotiations. The Repubs are slowing ALL of the processes down and the Dems are trying to get health reform passed. whats probably going to happen is that the repubs will rush through Hr 3548 when the Dems allow the insurance lobbyist to position themselves for the kill with health care reform. In short, WE THE PEOPLE are bargaining chips for THEM THE LOBBYIST. We will pay now by losing what little we have left or pay later by paying the insurance companies mandatory premiums and having to accept whatever care they choose to allow us. Sorry for sounding soo blah but after losing my job, home , car, and health (due to stress) I was informed yesterday that I have to move out of our rental home because the land lord cant handle the late payments any longer. My wife hasn't spoken to me in 3 days. My kids are still doing great in school but what do I tell them in 2 weeks when we're moving into a run down 3 bedroom in a bad nieghborhood. (If its still available and we get our unemployment extension this week)

Hi Terry...

"HEARTBREAKING"!! My tears are flowing non-stop! It just don't feel like we are in America anymore! What ever happened this being the GREATEST country in the world? Getting the extention this week is a JOKE! Like Dave stated in and eariler post, """"" I heard one estimate last night on MSNBC that it could be late October-mid-November at the earliest"""""""

What are we to do until then? My son was on my shoulder crying this morning, asking me when are we going to get thru this, and I don't have a clear answer for him! My daughter was sick yesterday, and I was unable to get her meds! Only thing you can do is pray, and try keeping hope alive! But slowly "HOPE" dies when you can't see a light at the end of the tunnal! How did this happen to America? Whos responsible for all thats happening? WHAT WENT WRONG?!?! .

There are NO positive comments coming from the Senate .. They are saying NO Vote until after the committee concludes consideration of health-care legislation..Period..

..Senate are saying .."They hope to bring it to the floor before Thanksgiving Recess

Basically they hurried up the bill threw congress and the house for no reason. Because the senate is more worried about things the people can fix if they had jobs or money. Rediculous... im so disappointed in this goverment. its sad really because people dont have that much time.

Active Legislation

111th Congress (2009-2010)
Updated September 24, 2009

Currently Active
Bills that may receive floor action this week.
Unemployment benefits, extend S.1647 H.R.3404, H.R.3548

http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/legislative/b_three_sections_with_tease...

Hi, everyone. I don't want to be pessimestic, I want to give the most accurate assessment I can. I know it sounds like "reading tea leaves" and it sorta is. They (the Congress) probably will not finish a bill reconciliation until late October-mid November, then it has to be signed into law by the President. The last posted comment and the provided link gives some people the false hope that something in a CONCRETE, VIABLE form might happen "this week". I'm sorry to say that it won't. This whole "Health Care" business has got D.C. tied in knots and I'm asking everyone who reads this blog to not get their hopes up for anything soon. It's important to make plans or tap any possible resources to hold on until mid-November.

I'm with you on this one Dave... I stated that in my eariler post! I think now is the time as a nation to pull it together, find any kind of work! Because after this time around, there will no more extentions to be had!

Money is the root of all EVIL!

I just started my EUC benefits and it says I am eligible for 20 weeks, but on the IDES website it says up to 33 weeks. Anyone else get this and what does that mean?

Would we get an additional 13 weeks at the end of this 20 weeks? Or do we only get 20 weeks and than move on to the EB benefits of 20 weeks?

I was laid off in Feb 2009

thanks

Article from this morning's New York Times:

September 27, 2009
U.S. Job Seekers Exceed Openings by Record Ratio By PETER S. GOODMAN
Despite signs that the economy has resumed growing, unemployed Americans now confront a job market that is bleaker than ever in the current recession, and employment prospects are still getting worse.

Job seekers now outnumber openings six to one, the worst ratio since the government began tracking open positions in 2000. According to the Labor Department’s latest numbers, from July, only 2.4 million full-time permanent jobs were open, with 14.5 million people officially unemployed.

And even though the pace of layoffs is slowing, many companies remain anxious about growth prospects in the months ahead, making them reluctant to add to their payrolls.

“There’s too much uncertainty out there,” said Thomas A. Kochan, a labor economist at M.I.T.’s Sloan School of Management. “There’s not going to be an upsurge in job openings for quite a while, not until employers feel confident the economy is really growing.”

The dearth of jobs reflects the caution of many American businesses when no one knows what will emerge to propel the economy. With unemployment at 9.7 percent nationwide, the shortage of paychecks is both a cause and an effect of weak hiring.

In Milwaukee, Debbie Kransky has been without work since February, when she was laid off from a medical billing position — her second job loss in two years. She has exhausted her unemployment benefits, because her last job lasted for only a month.

Indeed, in a perverse quirk of the unemployment system, she would have qualified for continued benefits had she stayed jobless the whole two years, rather than taking a new position this year. But since her latest unemployment claim stemmed from a job that lasted mere weeks, she recently drew her final check of $340.

Ms. Kransky, 51, has run through her life savings of roughly $10,000. Her job search has garnered little besides anxiety.

“I’ve worked my entire life,” said Ms. Kransky, who lives alone in a one-bedroom apartment. “I’ve got October rent. After that, I don’t know. I’ve never lived month to month my entire life. I’m just so scared, I can’t even put it into words.”

Last week, Ms. Kransky was invited to an interview for a clerical job with a health insurance company. She drove her Jeep truck downtown and waited in the lobby of an office building for nearly an hour, but no one showed. Despondent, she drove home, down $10 in gasoline.

For years, the economy has been powered by consumers, who borrowed exuberantly against real estate and tapped burgeoning stock portfolios to spend in excess of their incomes. Those sources of easy money have mostly dried up. Consumption is now tempered by saving; optimism has been eclipsed by worry.

Meanwhile, some businesses are in a holding pattern as they await the financial consequences of the health care reforms being debated in Washington.

Even after companies regain an inclination to expand, they will probably not hire aggressively anytime soon. Experts say that so many businesses have pared back working hours for people on their payrolls, while eliminating temporary workers, that many can increase output simply by increasing the workload on existing employees.

“They have tons of room to increase work without hiring a single person,” said Heidi Shierholz, an economist at the Economic Policy Institute Economist. “For people who are out of work, we do not see signs of light at the end of the tunnel.”

Even typically hard-charging companies are showing caution.

During the technology bubble of the late 1990s and again this decade, Cisco Systems — which makes Internet equipment — expanded rapidly. As the sense takes hold that the recession has passed, Cisco is again envisioning double-digit rates of sales growth, with plans to move aggressively into new markets, like the business of operating large scale computer data servers.

Yet even as Cisco pursues such designs, the company’s chief executive, John T. Chambers, said in an interview Friday that he anticipated “slow hiring,” given concerns about the vigor of growth ahead. “We’ll be doing it selectively,” he said.

Two recent surveys of newspaper help-wanted advertisements and of employers’ inclinations to add workers were at their lowest levels on record, noted Andrew Tilton, a Goldman Sachs economist.

Job placement companies say their customers are not yet wiling to hire large numbers of temporary workers, usually a precursor to hiring full-timers.

“It’s going to take quite some time before we see robust job growth,” said Tig Gilliam, chief executive of Adecco North America, a major job placement and staffing company.

During the last recession, in 2001, the number of jobless people reached little more than double the number of full-time job openings, according to the Labor Department data. By the beginning of this year, job seekers outnumbered jobs four-to-one, with the ratio growing ever more lopsided in recent months.

Though layoffs have been both severe and prominent, the greatest source of distress is a predilection against hiring by many American businesses. From the beginning of the recession in December 2007 through July of this year, job openings declined 45 percent in the West and the South, 36 percent in the Midwest and 23 percent in the Northeast.

Shrinking job opportunities have assailed virtually every industry this year. Since the end of 2008, job openings have diminished 47 percent in manufacturing, 37 percent in construction and 22 percent in retail. Even in education and health services — faster-growing areas in which many unemployed people have trained for new careers — job openings have dropped 21 percent this year. Despite the passage of a stimulus spending package aimed at shoring up state and local coffers, government job openings have diminished 17 percent this year.

In the suburbs of Chicago, Vicki Redican, 52, has been unemployed for almost two years, since she lost her $75,000-a-year job as a sales and marketing manager at a plastics company. College-educated, Ms. Redican first sought another management job. More recently, she has tried and failed to land a cashier’s position at a local grocery store, and a barista slot at a Starbucks coffee shop.

Substitute teaching assignments once helped her pay the bills. “Now, there are so many people substitute teaching that I can no longer get assignments,” she said.

“I’ve learned that I can’t look to tomorrow,” she said. “Every day, I try to do the best I can. I say to myself, ‘I don’t control this process.’ That’s the only way you can look at it. Otherwise, you’d have to go up on the roof and crack your head open.”

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Copyright 2009 The New York Times Company

I recently got my last week of regular benefits, and I just called to certify to begin my EUC08 benefits. My question is whether or not they are going to withhold a week, like the regular benefits did? Because since they asked me to pick a new password, it appeared to be like filing a brand new claim, I'm wondering if it starts all over again - with that first week withheld.

Thanks for any info!

P.S. I have started working a part/time job, and am only working 14 hours a week, which is under 50% of what I make weekly on unemployment. If I read everything correctly, I should still get my full unemployment benefits - I hope? thanks!

I have always got held back a week no matter if it was for EUC08 or EB

ATTENTION EVERYONE...

PLEASE JOIN US HERE ON THIS SITE!!

http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h3548/comments?comment_page=134&nav...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0CTiZAVEgQ&feature=related