If implemented, a Tier 5 would add additional weeks of unemployment benefits. To date, the previous extensions passed by Congress this year have only extended eligibility for existing tiers, enabling you to receive up to a maximum of 99 weeks [...]]]>

As unemployment benefits expire, many people are aksing about a “Tier 5″ extension.

Background

If implemented, a Tier 5 would add additional weeks of unemployment benefits. To date, the previous extensions passed by Congress this year have only extended eligibility for existing tiers, enabling you to receive up to a maximum of 99 weeks in most states. The 2010 extensions have not added any additional weeks to the total available.

Many people have already exhausted their 99 weeks (or their state maximium), but are in need of further assistance.

Tier 5 Extension – New Proposal Introduced

Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow introduced new legislation during the first week of August that formally brings the Tier 5 discussion in front of Congress. Here are the highlights of the propsal:

• The bill would add an additional 20 weeks of benefits for people who have had their benefits expire.
• The proposal would require that the unemployment rate in your state must at least 7.5% in order to qualify.
• Also included in the proposal are tax breaks for business owners who hire
• The new legislation has not yet been voted upon.

What’s Next?

• Members of Congress are on recess through September 12th.
• The Senate will next address the proposal upon their return in September.

To be eligibile for the program, you must meet the following requirements.

In June 2010, the unemployment rate rose in 291 out of the 374 areas, according to data released on July 28th, [...]]]>

3 Out Of 4 Cities Saw A Rise In Unemployment

Each month, the Labor Department measures the unemployment rate in 374 metro areas throughout the country. About a month later, statistics are released.

In June 2010, the unemployment rate rose in 291 out of the 374 areas, according to data released on July 28th, 2010. This increase reflects a change from what we saw in the previous three months, when the unemployment rate was actually going down.

While the statistics are interesting for economists, whether the unemployment rate went up or down is of less importance to people who are out of work. The real question millions keep asking themselves is “Where can I find a job?”

The government is providing some assistance with the latest extension of EUC eligibility through November, but thousands of Americans are still waiting to hear from Congress about the possibility of a Tier 5 extension.

Get free financial assistance to help with your bills.

See if you qualify …

Senate Passes Bill Today, the Senate passed the unemployment extension many people have been waiting for. President Obama is expected to sign the bill into law at [...]]]>

Extension Update – July 20th, 2010

Senate Passes Bill

• Today, the Senate passed the unemployment extension many people have been waiting for.
• President Obama is expected to sign the bill into law at some point this week.
• The extension affects over 2.5 million people who have lost benefits since June.

Bill Details

• The new legislation extends eligibility for federally funded EUC through the end of November.
• This means that you will now be eligibile for up to 99 weeks again, depending on your state and assuming your final tier begins before the end of November.
• Also: Benefits will be retroactive to June 2nd, meaning that you should receive a catch-up payment for these missed weeks.
• It may take up to a month before states start sending checks again.

No Tier 5

• The bill passed today does not provide for an additional tier of benefits beyond 99 weeks.

Reminder

• Invest two minutes: Find out how YOU can easily get free financial help.

Have you exhausted 99 weeks of benefits?

Are you recently unemployed, and only eligibile for 26 weeks of benefits?

Would a “Tier 5″ of Emergency Unemployment Compensation helpful you?

Thousands of Americans have received the maximium number of unemployment benefits in their state, and are asking “What Next?”

Let’s look at both [...]]]>

Have you exhausted 99 weeks of benefits?

Are you recently unemployed, and only eligibile for 26 weeks of benefits?

Would a “Tier 5″ of Emergency Unemployment Compensation helpful you?

Thousands of Americans have received the maximium number of unemployment benefits in their state, and are asking “What Next?”

People against a Tier 5 argue the following:

• The country can’t afford it. An additional unemployment extension would increase the Federal deficit and the national debt.
• 99 weeks is enough. With regular benefits lasting only 26 weeks, tier 5 opponents argue that at 99 weeks, unemployment recipients are already getting nearly 4 times the regular amount.
• More benefits sends the wrong message. Those against a tier 5 (and unemployment extensions in general) think that extending benefits encourages people to not work.

Here’s what Tier 5 supporters have to say:

• Government can afford it. With billions of dollars of government money to bail out the banks and fund foreign wars, the government has the ability to financially support a tier 5 extension.
• The economy requires it. Many “99ers” argue that they are actively looking for work, but in an environment where there are 6 applicants for every 1 job opening, the math just doesn’t work.
• Government should watch out for its people. This was the reason that unemployment benefits were created in the first place — to create a social “safety net”.

What is your view on a Tier 5 extension? Feel free to leave a comment below.

Millions of people are waiting to see if Congress will pass another unemployment extension this month.

A recent article from CNN lists the Congressional “to-do list”:

Deciding whether or not to extend unemployment benefits has become a recurring theme in Washington this year.

As Congress comes back to work this week (July 12th) after their week-long July 4th vacation, an extension debate is again in the works. This time, the proposal in the [...]]]>

Another month, another unemployment extension debate …

Deciding whether or not to extend unemployment benefits has become a recurring theme in Washington this year.

As Congress comes back to work this week (July 12th) after their week-long July 4th vacation, an extension debate is again in the works. This time, the proposal in the works (H.R. 5618) would extend eligibility for Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) through the end of November.

When passed, this would allow you to continue receiving the various tiers of EUC. For some, this could mean the difference between getting only 26 weeks of benefits and 79 weeks of benefits.

While already passed by the House of Representatives, the Senate is still short of the 60 votes required to pass the bill.

Will it happen? Only time will tell. There will likely be a vote next week (July 19th), or during the final week of this month (July 26th).

Are you one of the 3.2 million Americans impacted by this decision? Feel free to share your thoughts below.