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Unemployment Extension Update: 12/23/11: Congress has voted to continue federal extended unemployment benefits programs and the payroll tax cut which were set to expire on December 31, 2011 through February 2012. ...

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Unemployment Extension Update: 12/23/11: Congress has voted to continue federal extended unemployment benefits programs and the payroll tax cut which were set to expire on December 31, 2011 through February 2012. The legislation extends the availability of benefits in all tiers of Federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) for two months.

This means that jobless workers who are eligible for extended benefits should be able to continue to collect extended benefits without interruption and should be able to move to the next tier of benefits through the end of February.

Important: Check your State Unemployment Office website for details on who qualifies for extended benefits and when and how benefits will be paid. Check the "Extended Benefits" section for information.

Avoid Scams: The only way you can file for extended benefits is through your state unemployment office. You cannot apply for benefits on third party websites, even if they say they will file for you. Here's how to avoid unemployment scams.

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Please go to your local county hospital and sign up for health-care. It?s free, you can get a health care card. Just bring your unemployment letter to them and let them know that you have a child and you both can get signed up. Secondly, contact local food banks in your area for assistance and local churches. Also, sign up for Food Stamps you should be able to get this because you have a child. Thirdly, they also have county and state programs for children under the age of 21 to help with their health-care and school food programs as well. Please also try to contact the Red Cross and Salvation Army in your area.

2461 (Jacob) ? Hello, I?m also on Tier 4 and have only 2 weeks left to claim from the 6 weeks. The way I understand it is, the ?long term? unemployed (us) are out of luck. The option of filing a Tier 5 hasn?t even been discussed and that would be the only way that we could recieve any more benefits. Scary, very scary.

Hi and here a question. I?m in Wisconsin and had exhaused Tier 3, but Wisconsins threshold was at 8.4% in the last 2 months. I?m not sure what the recent percentage is as of now. So I was eligible through Tier 3, but didn?t get Tier 4. Does that now make Wisconsin qualify and move up automatically to Tier 4 because of this 30 day extension?

Extensions ? extensions. In the meantime, many experienced or ?overqualified? professionals are collecting many Tiers. Thus, what is the relationship between being over 40 and long-term unemployment?

According to every ?clarification? I have read on numerous message boards discussing Unemployment, if you are in Tier IV (like me) there are NO further funds once we finish the last 6 weeks.

Noboby has said it out loud (that I?m aware of), but I believe our Gov?t feels there has to come a time to cut off the allowable number of weeks to collect and 99 is it.

With the non-existant job market, this is like Washington saying ?If your last name begins with the letters A-M you will continue to collect benefits and N-Z will just have to understand there has to be a cutoff somewhere.?

To Peter comment #2473 ? I am with you! I am over 40 and find it even harder to get a job. There are no good paying jobs in my field that I can find, so even when I try for a retail job they look at me I am 70 not over 40?and think I can?t handle it?.Please I am a single mother of a 6 year old ? I can handle anything! I really need a 5th tier to start in about 6 weeks or I don?t know what I will do. If employers would also stop taking advantage of us, and bring the pay back up to were it should be instead of getting away with paying nothing because they know we are desperate and will take anything right now that would be nice as well!

Just to clarify, the unemployment extension that has just been passed does not include a ?5th tier? or any benefits for the long term employed beyond the federal extensions already in place.

The best thing everyone can do is contact your Senator and Member of Congress and urge legislation that will provide more coverage. The National Employment Law Project has a form you can use to easily encourage action:

How do I know what extension I?m on??? Or if I?m on ?Fed Ed?? I know that I have to list 6 jobs (and contact info) that I applied to every 2 weeks. This is the first time I?ve had to do that, if that helps. I get my last check from this extension next week. Has anyone here gotten to their 4th extension or near 99 weeks of benefits? I know that my benefits end before the end of March and am unsure if this new stop gap provision will even help me. And forget about contacting CA EDD- they don?t know anything and if anything I?d be scared they?d screw something up in my file! I?ve had some crazy phone calls with them and finally got my check going and decided not to mess with it!

Here is a capture of Amendment 3336. We needed this so they can attach it to the Tax extenders Act 4213 that will pass through the Senate this week. Then we go back to the House to vote on our changes (Amendments). We won this battle so far.

(2) Section 2002(e) of the Assistance for Unemployed Workers and Struggling Families Act, as contained in Public Law 111-5 (26 U.S.C. 3304 note; 123 Stat. 438)

(3) Section 2005 of the Assistance for Unemployed Workers and Struggling Families Act, as contained in Public Law 111-5 (26 U.S.C. 3304 note; 123 Stat. 444)

(4) Section 5 of the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2008 (Public Law 110-449; 26 U.S.C. 3304 note) is amended by striking ?July 31, 2010? and inserting ?May 31, 2011?.

(c) Effective Date.?The amendments made by this section shall take effect as if included in the enactment of the Department of Defense Appropriations Act, 2010 (Public Law 111-118).

I dont see anything in here for the long term unemployed that have exhausted all 99 weeks/EB and eveything. I see nothing about increaseing the 99 weeks to 125 weeks. Inless i am missing it??

I am confused too. I wish someone would lay this out a little easier so one could understand. I am on the 3rd tier and have 4 weeks left (before and extensions). What happens next?

This is not an extension to extend benefits. This is an extension so that those who need to move into another tier can do so. This has nothing to do with alloting extra weeks; it is simply so people can move into the next tier, if they were eligible in the first place.

Jacqi at 2475 ? thank you for your comment and feedback. By the way, 70 is over 40 and have years to go. Surprisingly, real issues are not being addressed.

As for the current 30 day extension creating much confusion, first there currently is not another Tier. Hopefully with prayer and pressure, another Tier will come.

As for the current extension, the additional 30 days provided more time for filings to occur. In other words, if one is on Tier three and nearly complete, the individual will be able to move into Tier four. If an individual has many weeks left before the 30 day extension, the individual will use up their weeks and no further Tiers become available.

Thus, hopefully with submitting comments and pressure will additional extensions with possible new Tiers be enacted. Of course, if an assumption that the recession is over, then many puzzled unemployed workers will require further assistance.

Extremely confusing and frustrating. I am at the end of my Tier 3 (have one week left) and I don?t think I?m eligible for Tier 4 ? do I get the 30-day extension as well? I can?t seem to get a clear answer anywhere. Thanks in advance to whoever answers my question.

I?m in the same situation as you are. I have one week left on my 3rd extension and because the 30 day filing extension, I?m pretty sure we?ll make it to the 4th tier. Why don?t you think you?re eligible? My understanding is that the filing deadline being pushed back will get you to that fourth tier which you wouldn?t have been able to get previously. The downside I think is that the 4th tier is only 6 weeks of benefits, which won?t last long even if we get them. I?ll take what I can get.

How can we be sending billions to other countries and spending billions on sending things into space when we have people here who have nothing?! These politicians blocking hard-working Americans from getting help are super wealthy, living in mansions and have no cares in the world- I?d love to meet them in person and tell them what I think!

Recently I received notice that I qualify for the Tier four benefits and my fist two-week check is on the way. Thus, just keep filing the claim forms.

I will exhust my first 26 weeks of benefits in April. Does that mean i will qualify for my first tier of extensions after that or will i be done with nothing.

My understanding was that nobody moves to the next tier of benefits unless the filing deadline is pushed back. That sounds sorta unfair, right? I mean, if someone got 4 extensions and you only got 1- I don?t get that. I bet you by April they are going to have to come up with something new- otherwise the news is just going to show all these people living in poverty and families living on the street.

It would seem only fair that they let people have at least one or two extensions or something. I wish I could tell you for sure. I?m almost out of benefits and have no idea what will happen. I have no family to help me out and might be living in my car by August?.

You mentioned you recieved notice that you will be getting your Tier 4 benefits. I also live in California and been on UI benefits since Oct 2008. My 3rd Tier ends next week. Can you tell me how many wks you will be getting on the 4th Tier?

For all others reading this. I hope they continue to give Extensions for the unemployed that have filed after Aug 2009 or just filing now.

Tier four is six weeks thus hopefuly through MArch. I have been unemployed since 08/2007. Thus, a long time creating a recent experience problem. In any event, good luck and hopefully another extension will follow similar to IRAQ, Afghanistan, or other country military extended funding.

Let me explain so that you don?t think that someone who got all 4 Tiers made out better than someone who only made it through Tier I.

People who finished Tiers III or IV lost their jobs a very long time ago. They have been living on a fraction of what they were making when they had a job. In many cases, they also paid 100% of their COBRA premiums because they lost their jobs ?too soon? to qualify for the 65% subsidy. because of this, we had to spend our savings, retirement funds and max out credit cards.

People who have only collected Tier I or II had the ?luxury? of receiving a full paycheck (usually w/benefits) while we long termers were eating crumbs. They also qualify to have the Gov?t pay 65% of their COBRA. In my case the Gov?t would have paid $466.00 a month of my COBRA payment. Instead, I got to pay the full amount ? $717.00 a month which was 1/2 of my monthly unemployment compensation. Doesn?t sound to fair ? does it?

I think that everyone who qualified for unemployment be eligible to continue, but that doesn?t look like it will be the case. People who lost their jobs more recently will be allowed to continue to survive and the long term unemployed can sink or swim on their own as far as our Gov?t is concerned.

I am confused. I have been unemployed since Nov-16-2008 and seek work daily without luck. The UI information state the maximum benefits weeks are 99, however I have only collected 66 so far (currently in Tier 3, which will expire Apr-10-2010, one week too late to collect Tier 4?s 6 weeks). Even if I was eligible to collect Tier 4, I would only be able to receive UI benefits for 79 weeks. Where are the other 20 weeks factoring in?

Thanks for your input, didn?t think about that. I never did the Cobra thing b/c my job didn?t provide benefits so I always had to pay on my own. I know that my health insurance will be the first bill I stop paying. It?s hard b/c I just had knee surgery and really can?t even walk very well for another month or so. I?m going to keep the insurance until I?m out of physical therapy visits (12 visits) and then I guess I?m out of luck.

I?m finishing tier 3 like you Charlotte and I?m 99% sure tier 4 is just six weeks of benefits. I hope to God that they make another tier or something but I?m not counting on it.

So funny when I watch the news and they report woman and senior citizens robbing banks! The FBI said they?ve never seen trends of either of these groups robbing banks!!! But what are they supposed to do- let their kids starve or end up homeless. There?s a reason these people are doing this- people who have never done anything wrong in their lives sticking up Wells Fargo and Chase- amazing!

I agree- I never got to 99 weeks. I?m the exact same boat as you- finishing tier 3 this week and tier 4 is just six weeks, right? Are you doing Fed-ED right now, where you have to fill out what jobs you applied for? I thought the first time you did that it was tier 3 and the 2nd time you did FED-ED it was tier 4. Isn?t that right? I?m doing that for the first time so I thought I was finishing tier 3.

I got this information from ?Examiner.com? regarding the total weeks that you can accumulate based on the time you?re laid off. The information seems pretty easy to understand.

Tier extensions are not FED ED. FED ED is only in effect of your state is above a certain % Unemployment, which CA has been in excess of for over the last year.

The CA EDD shows a clear difference between Federal Extensions and FED ED here: http://www.edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/Federal_Unemployment_Insurance_Extensions.

I am wondering though if FED ED is separate from this whole fiasco with the 30-day extension date and such. If anyone knows for sure, please let me know.

PS. (to CA Unemployed Guy Mike): There is always a random chance that you will have to fill out the back of the form. It is a random computer generated thing. Some people have had to do it more than once in their original 26 weeks, while others make it to Tiers without ever having to do it once. FED ED requires that you fill out a minimum of (3) contacted potential employers for each job searching week, it is not a random thing.

Thanks for the info. I had no idea how they kept getting to 99 weeks on the EDD website. Yes, that was about the time my claim was filed- I remember it was in Sept of 2008. Wow, a couple weeks makes a big difference! Well, I hope they do something to remedy this problem for all the unemployed people here in the U.S.

Junior, that table doesn?t make sense either no one from as far back as 2006 should still qualify for anymore extensions..They didn?t even offer extensions to anyone laid off from 2006.

The other 20 weeks are the state EB Benefits which are 20 weeks in high unemployment states. You file them after you run out of the Federal benefits.

I had some snags with UI. That is, attempting to extend UI while completing education, claiming missed signature or improper claim form, and the delays through the UI system. Thus, now currently awaiting my first two weeks of the Tier four check. Hint: By dividing the total allowance by the weekly amount provides available weeks. Of course, assuming no delays in the system.

Will someone help me understand CA?s EDD website? I don?t know what extension I?m on or if I?m on ?FED-ED??. All I know is that I?ve been receiving benefits since Oct 2008 and I have to send in a list of jobs every time I send in my claim form. This is the first time I had to do fill out the ?jobs applied to form? and my benefits expire next week.

If I?m on ?Fed-Ed?, will I get to another Extension? I can?t understand what is going on and those EDD people don?t answer the phone?. The website makes it sound like you can be on FED-ED before or after your 3rd and 4th extensions.

There is no deadline for filing the FED-ED extension at this time. When the FED-ED program ends depends on California?s unemployment rate. Once California?s unemployment rate drops below a certain level the FED-ED program will end and no further FED-ED extensions can be filed.

For eligible claimants who have collected all benefits on their second federal extension with a week-ending date after November 21, 2009, they must collect the one week added to the second federal extension, and the new third and fourth federal extension before they can potentially collect the FED-ED extension.

For eligible claimants who have collected all of the benefits on their second federal extension with a week-ending date prior to November 21, 2009, a FED-ED extension will be filed for the claimants if eligible. The claimants must collect all available benefits on the FED-ED extension before they can file and collect the one week added to the second federal extension, and the new third and fourth federal extensions.

If California?s unemployment rate continues to meet the State requirements to file FED-ED extensions, California can continue to file FED-ED extensions. Please closely monitor our EDD Web site for further developments.

I think you?re right and that I?m on FED-ED because I have had to fill out the form with jobs EVERY time I submit my claim on this set of checks. However, my question is: if you are on Fed-Ed, does that mean you have already gone through all 4 federal extensions OR can you get FED-ED after two extensions THEN go back a 3rd and 4th Federal extensions. I?m confused beause I didn?t think I used 4 federal extensions already. I just don?

I was laid off 8/2009. LAZY????? No not at all. I have worked since I was 12 years old ? wasn?t supposed to but I did as a waitress. I have worked ever since, and WANT to work now!

I have sent what feels like thousands of resumes. Employers don?t even get back to you. I have an MBA and 30 years of experience. 401K is an option, and my savings are almost depleted.

There will always be people who will take advantage of the system, but a majority of us WANT TO WORK! There are very very very few jobs. And even fewer for those of us over 40. Yeah its illegal to discriminate against people over 40, but your are over-qualified really works or under-qualified, or you have never _____?

Bunning: I don?t know what you are thinking? or what your are thinking with? Did you eat Lead paint as a child? Are you using all your brain cells? Get your head out of your &$$ and look around.

I left the comment above. I have 30 years of experience in Human Resources and would like to help (as I am also unemployed and as Bunning puts it LAZY)

Congratulations on your experience and education. However, since having many HR years on your belt, why do you think there is a difficulty for you getting hired when there is supposed jobs and you having the expert keywords on your resume?

I have been unemployed since September 2008, it is a bit fustrating to know that many people think being unemployed is a choice. I am a bit disapointed at the way this is being handled. I am currently on tear 3 and it will end on April 10, 2010 this puts me one week behind the new 30 days added to file another tier. I hope congress understands the need to work on a permanent fix to all these extention issues. I belive if one is not able to get a job after alomost two years it does not seem it will be any easier tomorrow, the longer unemployed the harder it will be to get hired. Another issue is the way some claims are being handle for example, two others who began their claim the same week as me know seem to be able to qualify because they were paid one week earlier than me due to an error of edd to stop paying them and then paid them all at once but some how know they will fall right on the week of April 4th deadline and not me.

My husband is using up his original 26wks for MI , we got the letter he is ok for the EB and it states he must be registered for work before using marvin to claim his first week of EB.

As for registering, normally the EDD will provide a letter of instructions. However, being proactive and registering online additionally helps toward being active in the UI and job search process.

Not as far as I know, but there could be one or an amendment to 4707 added in the future. 4707 is still in committee which is the first stage of a bill. So it still has a long way to go even if it does eventually pass.

If you have used all your benefits the important thing to do is to keep reporting until you are employed. These unemployment extensions are almost always retroactive.Hang in there.

John, if your last two checks came at your one year filing anniversary date then that would explain, so you should call and refile. Some states do it for you automatically . You should call anyway.

Is there really a possibility of another Tier? I have two weeks left to claim from the 6 weeks (Tier 4). I?m wondering if there is even a possibility of another Tier, the stress is eating me alive.

Cora, I don?t know for sure ? just trying to stay abreast of any news (since there isn?t much) I can find that even HINTS at the possibility. Alison? Have you heard any more in this regard? Just a few minutes ago, I saw this item posted by AP:

?Legislation extending unemployment insurance for the long-term jobless appears poised to clear a key hurdle in the Senate (today)??

I have been reading alot of articles today based on the unemployment extensions and bills currently going through congress. I have to say that I seen alot of nasty comments about people who are unemployed.

People say that unemployed people are lazy,and that all they wanna do is sit on their asses and collect a check. This is really messed up. Who the hell can honestly live off unemployment with a family to support. I don?t know about you but I know that 160.week is not enough to pay bills or do anything as a family.

I know there are alot of people who have it worse but for me I look at it like this. Its me,wife,grandfather and 2 kids under 4. My unemployment check is the only source of income that comes in. Grocery alone is 125 min a week.Plus medication,vehicle,insurance,and house hold utilities. It adds up fast.

Then you have these people being ignorant about us who collect just to keep a roof over our heads and food in oour stomachs. This makes us scum?? I think not. People aact as if it comes out of their pockets.

News flash UNEMPLOYMENT benefits are paid by the employer! NOT YOU! Does your check say unemployment tax? I believe 3 out of 50 states do tax.

Everyone needs to look out for each other. Also, I hope they pass this. If not its gonna be bad. I live in cleveland and crime is rising. People are shooting and robbing over ggroceries now. Crazy! Robbery and burglaries are on a rise too. Gun permits are up also in ohio. Glad Ive got mine!

America needs help. Stop helping everyone else and abandoned your own country. Good luck everyone. Sorry about typo errors. Just needed to vent.

You are not alone as can be seen on this link. Unfortunately, focus is toward OSCARS and Tiger while UI takes a backseat. In any event, hopefully Lee up there will wake up and do something. As for creditors, I am sure there is a do not call list or an FCC organization that can assist in this crises. Good luck.

i really cant see the logic in allowing some to collect almost 2 years of unemployment while others are cut off at tier 1. am i to believe that those who were laid off in 2009 are some how more able to find a job than those who were laid off in 2008?

the whole thing makes no sense at all. why not allow everyone to collect the same amount of weeks. i understand there has to be a cut off but why keep extending unemployment for some but not others?

Hi Ryan, I understand how you feel. However, please look again at post# 2492 to understand that the people who got laid off in 2008 are in a lot worst situation compare to the recent laid off.

I understand your concern. First, regardless where one is on Tiers, no one is interested in being there. Thus, as soon as a suitable career becomes available, then UI will discontinue. However, since the current economy is still at 10% UI, then benefits will most likely continue unless foreclosures or other adverse events are desired.

not really many are being kicked off of unemployment because of cut off dates. the only ones seeing extensions are the ones who have been drawing for some time now. the extensions are just a dog and pony show.

Thank you for your feedback and concern. However, look at 2529 and my unless situation. The extensions were created to avoid further economic disasters. Thus, hopefully cutoff dates will be extended that allows for further extensions. In the meantime, briefly explain your situation using political speak to your officials and at NELP.org. Hence, good luck in your career search.

A couple of thoughts ? the job market is still grim. We have lost over 8 million jobs and they aren?t coming back anytime soon. Even though the jobs report was a little better, there were less jobs lost ? there haven?t been any signficant gains.

Which is why, in my opinion, we need to continue the extended benefits currently in place (they are set to expire at the end of the month) and to add a 5th tier for the longterm unemployed who are going to run out of all extended benefits. There are no provisions for those unemployed workers in any of the extensions that are being discussed and despite their best job search efforts, jobs are still scarce.

The best we can all do is to contact our representative and urge them to pass an extension through the end of the year and to add a 5th tier for those who have already used up their other extension. The NELP has a form you can use: http://www.nelp.

here is what i have seen so far everyone thinks they have it worse. the older guys are saying no one will hire them, people who have been collecting for a long time think they have it the worse. point being everyone is out of luck.

it doesnt matter how long you have been collecting the only jobs i see are min wage entry level jobs. im some what lucky i was trained in two skilled trades and i still cant find any work.

The long-term unemployed have no or no-recent work experience. In the meantime, no comments from HR or Mr. Lee above. Thus, additional Tiers are welcome.

With regard to Alison?s post above (#2537), if you are going to write your congresspeople about this issue of adding a TIER 5, I wanted to give you some updated text you can use for your letter. I went to the link Alison provided above, but the text they give you as a draft for your email is not updated to reflect adding a FIFTH TIER (it is focused more on extending deadlines, which is irrelevant to those of us facing the loss of ALL benefits at this time ? winding up our 79 or 99 week max). I encourage you to visit the link that Alison provided and shoot an email off to your congressional representatives ? and if you like, please feel free to use some or all of the text I used for my email, as follows:

FOR THOSE PEOPLE WHO ARE ABOUT TO EXHAUST ALL AVAILABLE BENEFITS INCLUDING EUC (79 OR 99 MAX WEEKS DEPENDING ON STATE), A FIFTH TIER OF BENEFITS IS CRUCIAL. I FEEL THAT THIS ISSUE IS BEING OVERLOOKED ENTIRELY IN THE MIDST OF CONGRESS JUST VOTING TO EXTEND THE INITIAL UI ?FILING DEADLINES? THROUGH THE END OF 2010.

Many of us have been looking for work for nearly two years without success ? and the numbers of us who will soon be falling off the unemployment rolls entirely will continue to grow exponentially over the next several months if something is not done ASAP with regard to adding a FIFTH TIER (or fourth extension) of UI/Fed-Ed benefits. Whether or not a tier 5 should also be available to those just NOW filing for UI is irrelevant to me ? but it is important that those of us who have been unemployed the LONGEST (24 months or MORE!), thus, are about to exhaust ALL available benefits ? are provided for so that we are able to at least participate in the economy (buying gas, groceries, housing, etc.). And please note that after two years, most?if not ALL?of any savings are likely GONE, so that just makes the situation for this group that much more dire.)

I implore you to act IMMEDIATELY to pass a FIFTH TIER extension of unemployment benefits. I?m sure the amount of weeks for this tier would be debatable, but based on the current state of the economy and grim state of the job market (with there being at least six people for every ONE available job) ? I would ask you to consider a fifth tier of at least 14 weeks. Losing all benefits will obviously cause severe hardship for millions of families. With long-term unemployment continuing to rise (currently at an all-time high of 40% of all unemployed) and periods of unemployment lasting longer than ever before, keeping our unemployment safety net is more crucial than ever. The cost of not reauthorizing the necessary extension of federal unemployment benefits in the form of a FIFTH TIER will be catastrophic in the form of increased foreclosures, less money flowing through communities, and reliance on other public benefits and will slow down the economic recovery that will bring us jobs.

If Congress is aware of and planning to address this issue, it certainly doesn?t appear that way to those of us who are already entering panic mode, facing a loss of benefits and looking for information/answers. It seems that very little is being discussed with regard to unemployment, and the only item on the agenda at the current time is the extension of ?filing deadlines.? I HOPE YOU WILL SERIOUSLY CONSIDER MY REQUEST FOR A FIFTH TIER, AND DO YOUR PART TO LIGHT A FIRE UNDER YOUR COLLEAGUES AND GET IN FRONT OF THIS INCREASINGLY URGENT SITUATION.

It is amazing how the news have dropped our case for us long-term and non-long-term unemployed. We also need to contact our local news stations to put pressure on the senate to do something for the people in this country!

The comment in post #2543 about the extension until December of this year seems almost too good to be true. Is there anyone else who has seen this? Did it really happen?

NELP sold out the long term unemployed for a WIN with the short termers. I expect the other ?helpful measures? won?t put food on the table or pay a mortgage.

I don?t begrudge the folks who can keep surviving with this extension, but there are hundreds of thousands of us who have been out of work so long we are OUT of all reserves, retirement accounts and favors from friends and families. No one seems to worried about us except US.

Nothing is going to get done now after they just passed this bill today. They have closed the doors on us and got rid of the keys. As for Tier 5, they say not enough people demanding it. Maybe they should check their voice mail and email in boxes! All they will care is for this bs about Health Care and their self !

I am a long timer also and I have maxed out all my credit cards and credit score shot down, I can?t even apply for credit anymore. I even used my 401K and all of my savings. I mailed, emailed and faxed hundreds of resume. I even have a Degree. That is Useless now. Hell, I even put my pride aside and when to Mc Donalds they wont even give me a job. I have such a long gap on my resume.

Dont get me wrong.. Our country jumps in a second to help other county like Haiti and Chile but my question is will those county help me when I am sleeping on the streets with no food? I just dont understand our gov?t. They sure do not care for us. Please dont get me wrong in any way.

I think NELP is handling this strategically and it made more sense for them to help get this legislation, which will be easier to get passed, through Congress first.

Once this is set, then they can move on, and I believe they will, because it is desperately needed, to pushing for a 5th tier longer term extension for those who have run out of extended benefits all together.

does anyone know what this bill does? i mean does it extend the cut off dates to advance to next tier? or does it just extend the time allowed to use whatever tier you are on?

I?ve been off since December 2007 Been to countless interviews and never a call back. Problem I think is I?m 50 years old and nothing beyond High school and Trade school. 1 more week of tier 4 and all out, age discrimination is against the law, but you don?t have to be a Rhodes scholar to figure out the years from 1979 High school graduation to 2010?. Any ideas where a guy could get some financing for a business venture?? Yeah right!!! Now What????

Alison I have a question.I live in Minnesota, here our benefits end at I think 76 weeks will this extension add more benefit weeks to total 99 weeks for states that have less than 99 weeks?Sorry grasping at straws LOL.

I forgot to mention the health care reform all the cronies up on the hill are so worried about. I?m sure if you are already or on the verge of living in a cardboard box on the sidewalk you aren?t too worried about running to the doctor. We need a little prioritizing from these jokers in their big chairs we put them in. Maybe a lot of us can hitchhike out to California and get work on Pelosi?s vinyard with the illegal immigrants (criminals) she has there. I?m sure a lot of us know about her pet project of getting amnisty for these people. So she can add more cash to her purse. How about getting some press on the economy and un-employment and a little less worry about the so-called health care reform!

I just heard that the extension that was passed is only for those who have been on unemployment for 6 months or less. Does anyone know if that is true.

I think if you are already in the middle of a tier like 3 or 4 your benefits will extend to the end of the year. If you have exhausted all your benefits they have to have a tier 5 for those people.

Now that the extension has passed the Senate and is going to the house can they add more weeks to the existing tiers or add more tiers 5 & 6 to this bill for those of us who are exhausting tier 4?

Can you validate if what Maureen states in post #2556 is correct? Is it that those in the middle of a tier such as tier 3 or 4 will benefit from the new extension that is going to the end of the year, or is it that we are set to expire when tiers 3 and 4 are exhausted? I?m somewhat confused.

Maureen, very well said. Thus, state benefits are 26 weeks and federal benefits are 73 weeks, which are divided into Tiers. Thus, pending which state and were in the UI process, hopefully existing extensions will now be through end of 2010. For new extensions or individuals, who have exhausted their Tier four benefits, comments to this link might help. In any event, here was my two cents worth posted in mid-February and awaiting response.

Currently, celebrations of Black History Month are being performed remembering the various hardships, which were endured through years of neglect. However, while Black History Month is being celebrated, recent incidents of swimming pool entry denials as the water color may change states more work is required. In essence a continued denial entry exists simply resulting from the color of skin.

Similarly, as individuals are denied entry simply resulting from a skin color, ageism individuals who have vast experiences are plainly denied opportunities resulting from individual appearances. Furthermore, since ageism individuals are considered overqualified, then continued denial toward opportunities become a realistic scenario. In essence the appearance of overqualified individuals may distort the image of a respective company.

In the meantime, individuals seek opportunities toward meeting vital expenses while trying to overcome appearance barriers from respective employers. Furthermore, as barriers toward opportunities continue, stresses from managing day-to-day necessities become ever challenged. Thus, while unemployment extensions discussions are currently in process, continuing the unemployment extensions wherever an individual may lie including exceeding the existing 99 weeks may be vital to today?s environment.

Surprisingly, Honorable House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (2009) states, ?Extending these benefits is also among the most cost-effective and fastest ways to stimulate the economy?because the money is spent quickly. Every $1 spent on unemployment benefits generates $1.63 in new economic demand.? In essence continuing unemployment extensions provides an economic benefit to the local community and minimizes any stresses through prolonged financial hardships. Thus, while appearances create denied opportunities, continued unemployment extensions is desired while many constituents eagerly await new Congressional decisions.

Regarding the so-called extension passed in the Senate today. The deception started in the US Senate. After the House of representatives passed a ?real? extension of benefits, the Senate came up with this deceptive scheme which mostly obfuscates their intention to deny any more extensions. None of them wants to be the one found guilty of holding up the ability of millions of umemployed Americans to pay their bills, and keep the fundamental economy moving at it?s current week pace.

There are several fairly large companies in the area. In the morning the Indians on the many temporary work Visas swarm into the buildings. At lunch many of them swarm out and join us in the coffee house, but mostly in to their cars or home to get their lunches. After lunch they swarm back into their jobs. At the end of the day they go home.

Indians who get their green cards are not as in demand, by the time they get their citizenship they are in solidarity with the older generational Americans and having a hard time finding work as well.

Why is the US Senate and Congress still approving temporary work visas for technology workers when the Starbucks and homes are so full of hard working people deserving and well qualified for a job, any job.

By the way the temporary work visas allow the immigrant to bring their spouse to also work in the country. Many of the spouses start employment companies and hire each other in big circles to stay employed.

FINALLY?someone is reporting on the distinction between ?benefit extensions? and ?deadline extensions.? YOU MUST READ this article?let?s hope more in the media follow suit, so this issue becomes part of the public debate:

I have a question regarding Junior?s list in post #2497. My last day of employment was Aug 29th, ?08 and I filed immediately claiming such. Now I know it?s been quite some time and I do remember receiving my first check a bit late, but according to this list I should be receiving a total of 93 weeks. However, I?ll be mailing my last claim form, of the 3rd extension, on Sunday of this week. I believe another 6 weeks will make it 79 weeks total.

If anyone is aware of an organization with a form that sends a message to Congress specifically regarding an additional tier and/or extensions for those who are losing all benefts, please let me know and I?ll add a link.

hello, for those who are long term and need a Tier 5??.what is the status? Does anyone know? It sound slike NELP is trying to help?..who is NELP and exactly what is their influence on the overall decision of this issue?

I LOOK AT ANGELA?S COMMENT AND FELT BAD I KNOW HOW IT FEELS TO BE 2 MONTHS BEHIND I HOPE OBAMA AND CONGRESS APPROVE THE ONE YEAR EXTENTION IT IS BADLY NEEDED JOBS ARE SO HARD TO FIND I HAVE 20 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE WITH TWO BS DEGREES AND NUMBEROUS CERTIFICATION IN THE INFORMATION TECH. FIELD THAT?S WHY I DON?

If they extend the weeks or tiers, does this mean it has to be a completely separate bill or ammendment that originates in the Senate or can there be an ammendment to the existing one added by Congress?

Scooter ? cloture on a bill means whatever bill is on the agenda, the time for squabbling or filibustering is over. Therefore, when cloture occurs, the bill in process can be voted on and move onto the next stage. In any event, hopefully a Tier 5 or long-term extensions will come to an agenda provided by NELP or other similar organization.

I?ve been over at unemployedfriends.org the last couple of days and there are some people posting there that are literally at the end of their rope. Many have stated that they are considering the alternative to living as they have lost all hope in help for those who have exhausted all benefits. This is just not right!

I know some people here are counting on NELP, but personally I?m not holding my breath waiting for them to save the day. They?re already busy patting themselves on the back for a win for the 26 weekers and based on the language in the email I received from them, focusing on job creation as a remedy for the 70-99 weekers is just plain ridiculous.

Does anyone here have a close to accurate number as to how many have finished their 70-99 weeks? That would be a powerful piece of info to have right about now.

My company closed in Nov. 08. I began drawing the 1st of Jan. 09. I drew the first 26 weeks, then 20 and was just a few weeks into my 3rd ext. when my benefits year ended and I had to reapply. I had a waiting period again and started drawing $100 less a week (which I understand) for 13 weeks. Where am I? And from what I am reading today it looks like I am done after this?

ALISON ? regarding your post (#2570): There is a page on CONGRESS.ORG that assists you in addressing/sending emails to your congresspeople. If you click here, it allows you to contact congressional leaders (Pelosi, Reid, etc.), or you can also type in your zip code and contact your state representatives as well:

Another MUST-READ article from the wonderful Rick Ellis who still remains almost the ONLY journalist who cares to point out the distinction between ?extending benefits? and merely ?extending filing deadlines.? This very articulately explains nearly any question you might have about your current tier, eligibility, etc, etc. READ HERE:

http://www.allyourtv.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=992:more-than-you-probably-need-to-know-about-unemployment-benefits&catid=78:

?Several people have emailed me the news that they have called the offices of their local Senator, and have been assured that a separate bill addressing extra weeks of coverage WILL be brought up in the Senate as early as NEXT WEEK. I?ve heard that as well, but I?m hesitant to rely on that, since no one has any firm details. Also, the reason the additional weeks weren?t included in this jobs bill is that adding more weeks is a tougher sell to Republicans and conservative Democrats. There is also an Easter break coming up soon. So even if a new bill is proposed next week, getting it passed and signed by the President before April is going to be a tough battle.?

Nevermind ? the link is working now. BTW, I was reading through some of the info on the forum/discussions at NorCalGurl?s link, and this comment was posted just moments ago:

?I just received a call from a member of Senator Shaheen?s office who focuses on unemployment. He was very informative and kind. While the tax extension bill DID NOT provide additional benefits for those who have exhausted the available tiers, it created the foundation that needed to be in place for additional extensions. Translation: without this bill having been passed, we had NO chance of receiving ANY extension for the long term unemployed.

It is my sense THEY ARE NOT GOING TO LET US DROWN, BUT?we need to call, fax, and e-mail our Congressmen, Senators, and the media like there is no tomorrow (for some of us, financially, there really IS no tomorrow). The general consensus is that there are still so many out there who are still unaware that this bill did not provide an extension for all of the unemployed. So, it is UP TO US TO EDUCATE AND LET THEM KNOW WHAT WE NEED?an extension of benefits for all those who have or will soon have gone through all of the existing extensions. We need a tier 5 extension and will (likely) get one?BUT it?s UP TO US to make it happen. ?

I FOUND A FACEBOOK GROUP FOR 99-WEEKERS?PLEASE JOIN, AND PASS THE WORD!! It was just started, and they only have 114 members right now?we need this to grow to at least 1,000,000!!!! Here?s the link:

Maybe their can be a video for Tier 5 on YouTube? I don?t know how that would work out to be but I just want to run it by everyone on here.

Correct me if I?m wrong, but each tier is approximately 25% less than the previous tier. So judging from my experience that would make a tier 5 only 3 weeks.

Does that mean if there is a Tier 5 that you can potentially get more than the 99 weeks of UI? I am soon approaching the 99 week mark which I am greatful for and feel really bad for those that didn?t get as many extensions..

The liberal blog CROOKS & LIARS just picked up on Rick Ellis? stories about how the latest ?extension? effort does NOT add any more benefits for 99-weekers:

Encouraging that this info is getting around?but please continue to contact your congresspeople to let them know a TIER 5 extension is an absolute necessity until the job market begins to improve!!

I?m confused. I?ve collected 56 weeks and was told this week I?m in tier 4. Will I qualify for the 99 weeks if this bill passes? Thanks.

Its getting rough out there for us long time unemployed. Fox news is starting to call us lazy and bums.Man you just cant win now a days.

Hi Miguel?thanks for posting those phone numbers. MAYBE SOME OF THE NEW PEOPLE ON THIS SITE WILL JOIN IN THE CALLING CAMPAIGN. I call almost every day and send emails.. If a new tier is introduced by Reid, do you think there will be any repubs left to vote for it after the way the dems are pissing them off by shoving the health care bill down their throat? I hope so.

We are currently inspecting the authenticity of millions of Americans UI claims concerning each week that was claimed, and the Jobs in which they applied to during those weeks. This will take some time therefore; the delay in Tier V enactment. It has come to high concern considering the fraudulence at play concerning false Job searches.

The system has been extremely backed up for quite some time and the normal procedures have been at a lax. Currently we have estimated Millions of dollars to be returned to the states by these fraudulent individuals; which will intern help those who ?really? are searching and who deserve it to begin with.

Please have some patience, we are trying to not create an uproar over this situation. But in a nutshell- that is why congress cut all you people off. Sorry to the good ones, and for the rotten bunch; its just a matter of time. Nobody gets away with a scam these days. Nobody.

Apparently you have overlooked post 2563 and appear to ignore reality. Thus, when you wake up one day and take an out-of-box look at the real scenario, then you might realize there may be something else to this crisis. Thus, from the sound of the message and FOX News, there will definitely be some confrontational issues.

Are you serious?? OMG what a fine time to try to put this in action when there are soooooo many people who are facing financial fall out. Give Tier 5 and pick it all apart. Wouldnt it be better to serve 75,000 honest people and add 4 paychecks to a scammers tally to pay back?

The Millions of Dollars has been put right back into the USA to provide food, housing, keep stores open, kids fed, payments made, not used to BAIL OUT a bank or some other country.

With this happening you will now seen more people not able to make credit card payments, auto payments, rents, house payments, people will start to become homeless, but the good news.. the Unemployment numbers will go down and the figures will look good on paper.

I think Obama is on the wrong track with Health Care at the moment. Now is NOT the time. Too much time has been wasted on that. Next thing, it just might be a good thing that some of these Senators are dropping like fly?s and will be replaced hopefully with ones that really understand with is needed right now in America. I really had high hope for Obama but I am losing faith in him. Nothing is really getting done ? just blah blah and wasted time like always from both sides of the party. I love my county but not my gov?t elected sadly to say. Even the Dems can?t even get their act together. Both parties are a bunch of clowns to benefit them self-only and not for who elected them into the office to serve.

The Senate comes in for 45 mins than talks and then they go to roll call for 1-3 hours and come back talk some more bs and them go home. They are not serious for anything.

We really need this Tier 5 done before they go out on Easter. As for Fox News that cable channel is not real news and never was. Fox News = Clown News. Fox news is only an opinion channel news with is a arm to the right wing media. We all need to get our voices heard on the internet, local and national newspaper and even with is new social networking such as Facebook, Twitter and YouTube, We need to be calling, emailing and faxing these jerks everyday to have our voices heard loud and clear now. If not, we all are going to sink in this ship. We all need to be like that Tea Party, see they get their media coverage heard. We need the media to see our movement. I just want a job and any kind will be fine for me. I had put my pride aside long time ago. And no I am not lazy like Fox News claims we are. Maybe Fox New can hire me and all of us?

One last thing, since we have bailed out every business and county with Millions and Millions and Billions and Billions we need a bail out of our own now for the lost unemployed.

I think that the Tier 5 Benefits are necessary. I started drawing UC in 1/09 and I am still unemployed. It is harder for the older folks to get a job; especially in Nevada. It seems that all my applications are falling in a gigantic black hole, and I have serviously tired and am not even getting call backs. People are just not hiring right now and I am been in my working industry for the past 15 years. Just not young anymore.

Liz ? ?It is harder for the older folks to get a job; especially in Nevada.? People age in all states not just Nevada. Nonetheless, the problem is nationwide.

In any event, I have been told long-term unemployed do not have recent work experience implying long-term unemployed are unemployable. Point being, capturing the comments in an e-mail and posting them at websites such as whitehouse.gov or similar sites might fuel Tier 5 benefits.

OK so when the 26wks state UI ends and you move to tier 1 of 20wks, is it done automatically or do you have to call or file anything extra?

hello?.so, a Tier 5 is being held up because they are going through all the long term individuals job searches? That will take forever to go through all of those?..it sure doesn?t sound good for the long term unemployed.

That UI rep guy is full of it.Can anyone tell me what Federal state extended benefits are? Is Minnesota eligible?I haven?t gotten a check in three weeks Alison?

I wouldn?t get yourself all in a twist about ?UI Auditor? guy. I can only assume that he?s just an impostor trying to be a jerk by posting that here. I say this, because first of all, his tone is a threatening and entirely unprofessional one. Secondly, he can?t even be bothered to use even a first name (?your informed UI rep?? PLEASE!). Finally, he has enough spelling/grammar errors (??which will intern help those?? Give me a BREAK!) in his post to suggest that he?s NOT LEGIT. At least ? I certainly hope he?s not. Because if that?s the kind of person the government is hiring, whilst many others who are clearly more educated CAN?T get work ? then Heaven help us.

Here is a list of major news outlets and contact e-mail info?I would suggest that we start sending them alerts about the necessity of doing a story about this important Tier V issue:

?Currently the Bureau of Labor Statistics unemployment benefits now run up to 99 weeks, although CONGRESS IS EXPECTED TO EXTEND THOSE BENEFITS, as hundreds of thousands of Americans are near exhausting those payments??

You guys need to stop complaining and work multiple jobs. Did it occur to you that the money is just NOT THERE? With less people working, where do you think this money will come from? It doesn?t appear out of thin air. The working Americans must pay it out of their checks and with higher taxes for them too. Before you think I?m some a-hole making 100 grand a year, let me inform you that I myself was laid off in PA 7 months ago. I was making $30 and hour and used 3 months of my UC. I exhausted myself looking for jobs. Sure, I got turned down ALOT and sure I was strung along and had my hopes up only to be let down. But you know what, I finally found 2 retail jobs and between the two I work roughly 50-60 hours making $500-650 a week. I babysit a little boy at my house every other Sat into Sun morning for $70 too. As a single mother, I could have sucked the government dry like a leech, but I have higher goals for myself, and my daughter- so it was a last, LAST resort.

For Richard or TC ? prior to the last check, send a note to inform of your status; still unemployed, to ensure claim forms continue and the state agency is aware of your circumstance. Secondly, tune in to your state agency?s website for up-to-date information.

I just spoke with a UI rep and she said all my husband would need to do is File for the extension on line today or call it in and file for it and to just keep calling marvin or file on line every 2 weeks .

for tc or peter, my initial claim was suppose to end on march 9th 2010, when i claimed online my last two week benefit on march 2nd, i expected the computer to tell me to recalim my last week on march 9th but instead it directed me to reclaim on march 16th. as of right now when i claim tomorrow morning my balance is only for one week, what happens next, ive been told by my a couple of sources that when my account zero?

The latest story to post about the ?99 weeks? issue (make sure to cast your vote in the poll ? ?should benefits be extended beyond 99 weeks??):

http://www.allyourtv.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1002:want-congress-to-extend-unemployment-benefits-then-target-the-media&catid=78:

Enter your Zip code in the ?Local Media ? ZIP Code Search.? You can email to 5 media contacts at a time. (copy & paste your own form letter)

PLEASE, WE ALL (!) NEED TO SEND EMAILS to these outlets ASAP alerting them to the fact that a TIER V NEEDS TO BE ADDED?but that still NOBODY is talking about it! The more emails these people get, the more chance we have for the media to start discussing this issue on a wider scale. Here are some key contacts:

Again ? no mention of a Tier V. Please read this story and post a comment underneath asking this question, so that hopefully the reporter will take action and try to include more info about this in upcoming reports. Thanks!

It?s RIDICULOUS that some are saying that collecting a fraction of the money we used to receive through these Unemployment Tiers is promoting people to NOT look for work! SHAME ON YOU!!! You obviously have not had Bill collectors calling you at all hours of the night looking for money you don?t have OR NOTICES being placed on your doors indicating the gas, electric and water will be shut off in 10days! OR looking at your children?s faces as they LOSE any sense of ?SECURITY? they once had that everything is going to be alright!!! SHAME ON YOU!!! Those complaining should take a GOOD HARD LOOK at what the repercussions are going to be if this ?HELP? we desperately need (WHILE WHOLE HEARTEDLY LOOKING FOR WORK) suddenly stops. If the past has taut us anything is that people will do ANYTHING to take care of there families, sometimes to very extreme measures. WE DID NOT ASK to be laid off AND we cannot help posting and sending dozens of resumes out a day only to receive the occasional ?Sorry the position has been filled? or ?Sorry we are not accepting anymore applications at this time? The FACT IS the country is in a very serious recession at the moment and although some figures may show a slight ?BREAK? in this problem (And I DO MEAN SLIGHT) CUTTING off this ?help? now will NOT only make matters worse but cause many to lose EVERYTHING we desperately worked so hard to achieve through years of hard work.

I worked hard for over 20 years in the banking industry and was suddenly laid off in NOV of 2008, I am college educated and submit applications for work EVERY DAY! E V E R Y D A Y ! Making Calls ?..Reading the Want ads and submitting online applications but have had no luck in even getting an interview. I even went as far as to apply for a position at a 7/11 but was turned down for a 18/19 year old! WHAT ELSE DO THESE ?SCEPTICTS? WANT ME TO DO????????

What needs to be done is a continual 12month LONG TEIR V extension through 2010 WHILE ALSO giving employers serious incentives for hiring the long term unemployed! The help we have received over the past IV Tiers has made all the difference in the world for us and WE THANK YOU but believe us when we say we are doing EVERYTHING POSSIBLE to get back into the work force. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not stop it now when this country is on the verge of recovery. RECOVERY ?UNFORTUNATELY ?..Takes TIME and we NEED HELP!!! ALSO it should be noted that this money we are receiving from unemployment is THE MOST ?DIRECT? WAY OF MONEY BEING PUT BACK INTO THE ECONOMY?..GIVING it to the people that desperately need it! Consumer and Commercial Trade will take a SERIOUS NOSE DIVE if these tiers aren?t continued as more and more people can?t make there payments on utilities?.food?..and bills?.Families will start to break up ?..More and more people will become homeless. Who ever decided not to at extend benefits for the long term unemployed for at least another year are being very short sighted and may just run this country right into poverty.

Please I urge everyone in the same situation to contact there local SENATORS and GOVENORS and PLEAD with them how desperately its needed for them to extend unemployment benefits for the long term unemployed. Your one letter/phone call/email could very well make the difference. With unemployment running out within the next week or so it can?t be stressed enough that this MUST BE DONE NOW!

It?s RIDICULOUS that some are saying that collecting a fraction of the money we used to receive through these Unemployment Tiers is promoting people to NOT look for work! SHAME ON YOU!!! You obviously have not had Bill collectors calling you at all hours of the night looking for money you don?t have OR NOTICES being placed on your doors indicating the gas, electric and water will be shut off in 10days! OR looking at your children?s faces as they LOSE any sense of ?SECURITY? they once had that everything is going to be alright!!! SHAME ON YOU!!! Those complaining should take a GOOD HARD LOOK at what the repercussions are going to be if this ?HELP? we desperately need (WHILE WHOLE HEARTEDLY LOOKING FOR WORK) suddenly stops. If the past has taut us anything is that people will do ANYTHING to take care of there families, sometimes to very extreme measures. WE DID NOT ASK to be laid off AND we cannot help posting and sending dozens of resumes out a day only to receive the occasional ?Sorry the position has been filled? or ?Sorry we are not accepting anymore applications at this time? The FACT IS the country is in a very serious recession at the moment and although some figures may show a slight ?BREAK? in this problem (And I DO MEAN SLIGHT) CUTTING off this ?help? now will NOT only make matters worse but cause many to lose EVERYTHING we desperately worked so hard to achieve through years of hard work.

I worked hard for over 20 years in the banking industry and was suddenly laid off in NOV of 2008, I am college educated and submit applications for work EVERY DAY! E V E R Y D A Y ! Making Calls ?..Reading the Want ads and submitting online applications but have had no luck in even getting an interview. I even went as far as to apply for a position at a 7/11 but was turned down for a 18/19 year old! WHAT ELSE DO THESE ?SCEPTICTS? WANT ME TO DO????????

What needs to be done is a continual 12month LONG TEIR V extension through 2010 WHILE ALSO giving employers serious incentives for hiring the long term unemployed! The help we have received over the past IV Tiers has made all the difference in the world for us and WE THANK YOU but believe us when we say we are doing EVERYTHING POSSIBLE to get back into the work force. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not stop it now when this country is on the verge of recovery. RECOVERY ?UNFORTUNATELY ?..Takes TIME and we NEED HELP!!! ALSO it should be noted that this money we are receiving from unemployment is THE MOST ?DIRECT? WAY OF MONEY BEING PUT BACK INTO THE ECONOMY?..GIVING it to the people that desperately need it! Consumer and Commercial Trade will take a SERIOUS NOSE DIVE if these tiers aren?t continued as more and more people can?t make there payments on utilities?.food?..and bills?.Families will start to break up ?..More and more people will become homeless. Who ever decided not to at extend benefits for the long term unemployed for at least another year are being very short sighted and may just run this country right into poverty.

Please I urge everyone in the same situation (looking for work and desperately needing the extended tiers) to contact there local SENATORS and GOVENORS (Contact numbers/websites can be looked up very easily on the internet) and PLEAD with them how desperately its needed for them to extend unemployment benefits for the long term unemployed. Your one letter/phone call/email could very well make the difference. With unemployment running out within the next week or so it can?t be stressed enough that this MUST BE DONE NOW! N O W ! I also urge u to please post this letter for me on any website were comments can be left?..thank you.

People are posting on here because they are in horrific situations. And if your post is real,, I have a suggestion for you. How about hiring some of us WEll qualified people to help you with processing all of those forms. You can kill two birds with one stone. Have less forms to process while getting caught up on the ones that you still have to process.

But Quess what,,, You are not hiring. How do I know ? because I?ve gone to my local UI office to attend ?interview skill building classes?, only to find out that they are cancelled due to understaffing. I then quickly ask who do I speak to about applying and was told that I have to apply at the state level but don?t bother becasue they are not hiring!!!! Can you believe that!The UI office actually telling someone to not even bother applying for a job. I would be safe to guess that every STATE is in this situation.

I?ve been laid off since Sept of 2009. I?m an Architect but I?m not ashamed of applying for and working ANY job. As a matter of fact,,I?m currently working part-time at Best Buy to make ends meet and guess what,,, Even they have annouced that they are laying more people off in April! I have read several articles from economist that have said that if a company needs to lay-off more than 25% of their staff then they need to close the business. Many companies are prematurely laying off or not hiring when they should. There are several Architecture firms here that have won large projects but they still aren?t hiring because they can require their current employees to work 50 to 55 hour weeks at salary. This situation goes WAY DEEPER than a few people ?living? off of UI.

Yeah !! I thought working 50 to 55 hours for a salary (40 hours??) was illegal! The people who have the one of the biggest workloads(UIA) aren?t even hiring. We?re supposed to find jobs????? Try being over 50 and a little better than High school, they say take classes.. Will somebody hire you at 52-54 with a college or trade school degree and no experience in the job you just finished going to school for???? Good luck to anyone trying !!!

I guess I?ll just have to stick with my automotive service profession and take a job from whatever employer that can see past the age thing and values experience and ability instead of a few pieces of paper on the wall that only say you can do the job..

I?ll never understand why people think that the unemployed are lazy and trying to milk it. I had a good paying job that my unemployment gives me about HALF of what I was making. Which do they think i?d rather have. I?ve lost my car over being unemployed. If it came down to having my old job back or this i?d go back to my old job in a heartbeat.

I would suggest posting/emailing/tweeting this link wherever you can ? local congressional reps, media contacts, etc?GET THE WORD OUT!

Hi my name is Alicia I have exhausted my unemployment I have been out of work since June 2008 since then I have suffered my second Brain Hemmorage. I have over a 150,000 in student loans I am constantly sending out resumes and going onto interviews I have been unsuccessful. I live alone and Im not eligible to receive insurance according to my unemployment income. I need to go to a Doctor for assistance but there is no help for me. I suffer sometimes with headaches so bad and pain in my eyes I find myself going to the hospital to only create a larger financial debt I cannot pay.

One more paycheck and without a Tier 5 I have no idea where to turn. Thank-You to all those who understand and who are fighting for what we need in this time of crisis. And for those who judge please respectfully keep your words to yourself as many good people are dealing with a great deal of hardships, worry and stress. Thank-You.

Please if your a Facebook user add this group and post a quick story I am trying to get the attention of our congress buy using social media.

http://www.allyourtv.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1013:staffers-say-congress-doesnt-have-the-political-will-for-true-extension-of-unemployment-benefits&catid=78:

DON?T LET THIS ARTICLE DISCOURAGE YOU! Just use it as motivation to continue to be AS VOCAL AS POSSIBLE about this issue until it?s ?on the radar? for these clueless congresspeople.

This makes my sick. I had to pawn my computer today and use a library for free. God knows long how long it would be before they shut down the library to budget cuts. Cut all aid money to other countries and help out OWN people FIRST ! It?s our tax dollars and it must be spend in our own county. When ever has a county that we gave aid money to has help the U.S. out? NEVER is the answer !

Our country is deep shi*. They spend too much time of Health Care (over a year) and not the really issues we need now and today! Obama and Congree needs to get their act together or else they will be ALL VOTED OUT in the next elections.

I wanted to add? there are a lot of people reading but not posting so I?m sure the links & info your posting is helping those who are just reading.

For those on Tier 1, 2, 3, & 4 should be also worried and should contact Congress and the Media because when your current Tiers are up, you will have a Tier 5 ready for you if you need it.

i contacted everyone on that list you all should its so important to get the message out that we need help and the consequences if we don?t receive that help not only to our families but to the economy in general.

Saw this posted in the Unemployed-Friends site. Not much response (yet) from the forum members about contacting PBS, but a few have. Someone else posted that they are shy about telling their story in this matter which I understand completely.

Diane from PBS would like to know if anyone would be interested in doing an interview for the upcoming project she has. A post from our forum is included below, please reach out to her if you are interested, thanks!!

I am a producer for the PBS NewsHour (formerly The NewsHour with Jim Lehrer), the nightly news program on public broadcasting. We?re coming to Florida to do a series of stories later this month. One story we are planning is on unemployment. I?m looking for people to profile for the story. We?d like to interview people about your experience being unemployed and about problems or issues you have encountered getting unemployment benefits. We are planning to do this in or near Orlando,Tampa, Cape Coral or Fort Myers. If you are interested in being interviewed on camera for the story, please let me know. You can reach me by email at dlincoln@newshour.org or by phone at (703) 998-2184 or I?m happy to contact you at your convenience if you give me the best way to reach you.

It seems to me.. everybody who reads this board is not worried about Tier 5 besides the main folks like you, me, Crystal and Lori (CA) and a few others.

Also, Lori (CA).. thanks for all of your post on there. We are the left overs 99?ers who didn?t benefit from those bills that was passed in the past weeks and months or so.

I call and email everyday those morons in Congress. I even email the media. I will email and call the contact from PBS on you Post # 2652.

I miss Richard from CA now in TX. I haven?t seen him lately on here. I hope he is doing well. He use to be on this board everyday like us.

If my email is any indication, there are lots of people reading these posts who are very worried about Tier 5 ? petrified, in fact, about what?s going to happen when their benefits run out.

They don?t always post, because, I think, they don?t have any suggestions or answers, but they are definitely reading ? and appreciate everyone?s support ? especially from the ?old timers?. I appreciate it, as well.

I have contacted the offices of my senators and representatives in Congress and I have received no response or when I did very little support or sympathy. I am so worried about what is going to happen. I have a BA and a Master?s degree. I recently applied for a janitorial job and I just finished taking my exam trying to land a census job. In the meantime, I have managed to start my own business in the hopes that it will take off soon as I can?t sit and wait for this job market to turn around. As of right now, I do not make enough money to support myself. Until then, I am dependent on unemployment. I have one request left, a partial one, before I exhaust my benefits. We do need a Tier V. This was the partisan rhetoric response I received from Congressman Mike Burgess? office (TX):

Thank you for contacting me regarding H.R. 3548, the Worker, Homeownership, and Business Assistance Act of 2009. I appreciate hearing from you about this legislation.

As you may know, H.R. 3548 was introduced on September 10, 2009 by Congressman Jim McDermott (D-West Virginia). This bill passed both the House and the Senate and was signed into law by President Obama on November 6, 2009. H.R. 3548 extends the unemployment benefits extension program by 14 weeks for all states, and then an extra 6 weeks (for a total of 20 additional weeks) for states with unemployment rates in excess of 8.5%. The bill also extends the 0.2% Federal Unemployment Tax on employers for 18 months (otherwise set to expire at the end of last year). Additionally, H.R. 3548 extended the $8,000 tax credit, otherwise set to expire on November 30, 2009, for five months.

You correctly noted that I voted against this legislation. I would like to explain the reasoning behind my vote. First of all, I am supportive of the homebuyer tax credit and I have cosponsored another piece of legislation which would have extended the tax credit past the original November 30, 2009 deadline. Unfortunately, the Democratic Majority, like they have been prone to do, included many other provisions in this legislation that I could not support.

H.R. 3548 would cause the duration of maximum unemployment benefits available to far exceed what was available during previous recessions. H.R. 3548 would cause a total extension of unemployment benefits of up to 73 weeks??which far exceeds the previous record (33 weeks in 1992). By comparison, after the 2001 recession, unemployment benefits were extended for 26 weeks.

I sympathize with those that are unemployed and I agree that unemployment benefits are needed during times of high unemployment. President Obama claimed that his $787 billion stimulus package would save the economy and keep unemployment under 8%. I was against the stimulus package because I didn?t believe it was the right approach to help the economy and I am sorry to say that a year later, with unemployment hovering around 10%, I was unfortunately correct. Instead of focusing Congress? efforts on actually providing jobs for Americans, we are passing laws that only patch the needs of the nations unemployed. We need to give businesses an incentive to hire workers but this bill extends the Federal Unemployment Taxes on employers for 18 months. You may be interested to know that in an attempt to get businesses hiring again, I have introduced legislation that would repeal the increase in Federal Unemployment Taxes that H.R. 3548 implemented.

Again, thank you for taking the time to contact me. I appreciate having the opportunity to represent you in the U.S. House of Representatives. Please feel free to visit my website (www.house.gov/burgess) or contact me with any future concerns.

Hello to all especially you old timers like Terri, Crystal and Miguel. I am still here calling, writing and faxing almost everyday just like most of you. I received my next to last check today and I owe my last two checks for weeks 96-99 to IRS for my 2009 income taxes. I am scared just like all of you.that Congress is just going to kick us into the street I don?t believe we will get any more benefits but I hope I?m wrong. I do believe that Reid or someone will bring up a bill but I don?t think there will be 60 votes to pass it. I am probably going to lose one of my automobiles back to the bank. I had to go to the hospital last June(passing a kidney stone) I was in there for about 7 hours and received a bill for over $10,000.00. Now a collection agency is bugging the hell out of me. I told them I will give them $20.00 a month for the rest of my life and that?s the best I can do. Good Luck to all of us!

Hang in there, everyone?and let?s all keep praying, trying to stay positive?and hopefully the change we need will come. And in the meantime, BE SURE to join the following groups on Facebook so that you can receive and share info there as well:

79/99-weekers: It?s important to reach out to your local media and congresspeople ? ALL OF US ? don?t just sit idly by and assume someone else is going to do it for you. There is POWER IN NUMBERS, so the more of us who do our part, the better. Please scroll up for many great suggestions posted for contacting these people via phone and email. You may also TWITTER key members of the media ? for thousands of those media twitter addresses, go to:

I just phoned the offices of the House and Senate members listed on this blog. Healthcare reform as we all know is the big issue. I was even told by one staffer that that is where they are concentrating their efforts. To all the long term unemployed, we need to make our voices heard, and heard now. Call the House and Senate members listed on this blog. More importantly, call your state?s representatives in the Congressional House and Senate and urge them to pass a Tier V extension. Let?s not stop calling until it gets done. Congress at this point seems content with letting us fall by the wayside. That is simply unacceptable!

I am posting an article from JP MORGAN Chase bank that says that the unemployment rate is so high because of extended benefits. It will take me a couple of weeks but I am closing my JP Morgan checking account and putting my little bit of money elsewhere. They helped to create the mess we are in and they have to nerve to say that we are the problem.

Bailout bank (J.P. Morgan Chase) Release Report Stating Exteneded Jobless Benefits is Reason for High Unemployment. Republicans agree.

Lengthened availability of jobless benefits has raised the unemployment rate by 1.5 percentage points and has increased the average duration of unemployment spells by over a month, according to a report put out yesterday by JPMorgan Chase Bank.

The report claims that jobless benefits have the potential to increase the unemployment rate by softening the blow of losing a job and encourage people who would otherwise drop out of the labor force to be counted as job seekers and therefore in the labor force.

Republican pundits were already repeating that 1.5 point number late Wednesday, using it as a talking point in favor of letting the extended benefits expire.

However, the analysts at JPMorgan Chase aren?t the only ones claiming that extended federal unemployment benefits are adding to the country?s jobless problem.

Gary Wolfram of the Business & Media Institute writes: ?It ought to be clear that if we reduce the cost of becoming or remaining unemployed, then we will have greater unemployment ? One reason we have had such a ?jobless recovery? is due to the reduction in the cost of remaining unemployed due to the expansion of unemployment benefits.?

You can expect to hear more of these arguments in the weeks ahead when the U.S. House of Representatives takes up the Senate jobs bill that would extend the deadlines for filing for federal extended unemployment benefits through the end of the year.

Note from the blogger: This article was found today from MLive.com. Remember that the American taxpayer bailed out the goons at JP Morgan/Chase. Michael Feroli, Chase Bank, is the person we all have to thank for this recent study from Chase bank.

I bet our tax dollars helped pay Mr. Feroli for this study. His email is michael.e.feroli@jpmorgan.com in case you had something to say to him.

It?s also a good idea for us to contact/pitch some of the top nationally syndicated talk radio shows out there about discussing this ?Tier 5? issue, and that it?s NOT being taken seriously by congress as millions face losing ALL BENEFITS in a matter of weeks.

FYI ? The Diane Rehm show this morning was dedicated to the crisis of the jobless (and long-term jobless). You can listen to the full discussion here:

Food for thought. I have read in many places that the employed complain we are getting a free handout and we never paid into unemployment. Employees in some states do. However, If my employers paid unemployment for their employees, which they all do, where is that money. I don?t know any $$ amount but let?s assume they pay $100.00 each month for each employee. Now I worked at my employment for 30 years ? that is $36,000. My state paid me $325.00 per week, so to use up the $36,000 that my employer paid for me I should receive 110 weeks. Where is the money and what are the state and/or Fed doing with it.

Not sounding good, people ? seriously ? if you want a Tier 5 ? you?re GOING TO HAVE TO DO YOUR PART TO DEMAND IT. I cannot stress enough the importance of contacting your congressional reps and local media contacts?our voices must be heard, and quickly.

In regards to post 2660 This rotten criminal S.O.B. Feroli is typical of our problems! Give these human pieces of trash Billions of OUR money and save them from themselves and they go on their way. This country needs a good old revolt. We can start by marching down Wallstreet and dragging these criminals from their ivory towers into the street and leave them with nothing. Maybe keep going and take our elected trash and do the same. These cronies have been too comfortable for WAY TOO Long!! If it?s ever possible, we MUST pay off all these credit card banks and tell them to shove their (our) money where the sun don?t shine. Lets see how long they survive without the endless billions of OUR money paying their big bonuses and paychecks!!!!!

One last thing in regards to the P.O.S. at Chase? We must overcome our dependence on these criminals? We the (sheep) are at the mercy of these wolves (enemies) and one sure way to overcome is to reduce the number of our enemies. After all there are way more of us than them, our only hope to get these elected criminals to listen is election time!! Lets not have such short term memories when that time rolls around. We have a terrible habit of forgetting all the crimes commited against us by these wolves in sheeps clothing as soon as something good happens to us?. Gee whiz, as soon as they get their wonderfull health care disaster passed we can all see some ?C? student doctor to help us battle our ill feelings. Problem is I can?t figure out what to fill in for an address since there isn?t any street name on the old refrigerator box a lot of us will be living in soon!!! I PRAY I still have a home this summer!!!

If your read Lori message you can see that she suggested only liberal to contact, why? Is very simple, the Progress and Liberal party they are the only political party that cares, for now, of the poor and middle class.

I don?t want to make a political statement here really, but reality is something very painful to us, the unemployed of America, and if we stretch up to here today is because the Democrats.

Republican all ways is the party of corporations, and they will continue to be, I hope some day a new party will show up that really represent the poor and middle class of this country, the right winger are our enemy. Just look the pass last 8 years. They are the ?fear-mongering?, the ?bone collectors of misery? ?the exterminators a social justice and fairness for all?.

And please remember Roosevelt and the amendments of new right for American citizens he tried to put in the bill, and he don?t? had no time to finish.

Please people, keep writing to the media the senators, the White House, republicans or democrats, independent, red, blue or yellow, but at least let then know that are millions of citizens that are displaced and hungry, some are in the door steps to become homeless. And don?

So JP Morgan Chase bank stated that the reason that unemployment is so high is because of extended benefits and of course the republicans are right there with them. It will take me a few weeks and I will be closing all of my Chase accounts, not that there is any money left in the savings account anyway. I will be letting them know the reason also. I will be putting my money in a credit union in the Austin area. We the taxpayers bail them out and the bastards have the nerve to say that we are the problem. Well, to Hell with them.

It sounds like Congressman Jim McDermott and Wally Herger (R-CA) actually are among the few who DO acknowledge the fact millions of Americans are going to exhaust the last of their max (79-99 wks) benefits by the end of March, because the stimulus package DID NOT SUCCESS?FULLY CREATE JOBS.

*** Perhaps we all need to keep calling McDermott & Herger?s offices about getting a TIER 5 BENEFIT EXTENSION passed!!! (Note: on the video clip attached above, McDermott speaks first, followed by Herger)

I have been unemployed since 10/08. My savings are exhausted, I had to raid my 401K early, so after the market ate 50% I paid a penalty of 20%. I have been living on my UE and my credit cards. So now I have no savings and a mountain of debt.

Today I had to call Chase for something and I swear it sounded as if they have outsourced their customer service. Annoying, but I moved on to call Verizon who has also moved their customer support to India.

So I have to ask myself where did this country go wrong? We can?t get the ecomomy going unless we export more, but we don?t manufacture anything to export but jobs.

what are the thoughts of so many of us that are paying $1,000- $1,500 in unemployment taxes. Why couldn?t the government pass something to recycle that money back to us in ways of jobs or more benefits?

UE benefits should be extended with no ?deadlines?. Easy for politians with $1,000 ties to say NO, they have no clue what we the middle class are experiencing. How can we deny extensions when there is NO work. We are a CRUEL, COLD nation to our own, but roll out the red carpet to illegals. Why won?t the US do as other western countries, IF YOU ARE ILLEGAL YOUR CHILD BORN HERE IS ILLEGAL! We would save BILLIONS in healthcare, food stamps, etc. That is the only reason we are over run with illegals they know how lots of kids and they remain here due to their child, who should be illegal too! Then perhaps, extending benefits to those who really need it would not be in such debate.

Hey Mimi where is your family coming from? All the people that live in North America come from a different country. if you say that you are illegal and your children are born here its illegal, that means that you are illegal too. dont mix one thing with another and stop your anger and dont blame other people that have nothing to do with it.

You?re really ignorant. The real problem is that most Americans born in the U.S. just wont want to work for 8, 9 or 10 bucks and hour. They also don?t want to put in the long hours for a few bucks. I have seen on other blogs that U.S. born folks rather get a free hand out then work for 8, 9 or 10 dollars and hour. I pass by a welfare office everyday and I see perfectly fine healthy people lined up outside in the mornings smoking and talking on cell phones with 2-5 kids. God knows with different fathers maybe. I know for a fact in my opinion they could be working any kind of job but they rather get a free hand out and ride the system. I also see all races doing this. NOT just Mexicans. So, don?t even tell me that the Whites or African American or other races doesn?t have a boatload of kids and riding the welfare systems. For example, when do you ever see Japanese family on welfare? You hardly see that. I?m not say that everybody is riding the systems but you know most are. I am NOT against unemployment benefits to the unemployed. I myself am unemployed and I have a degree and still can find a job. I am a proud American born here in the U.S. So, don?t go bad mouthing others when you have your own problems to solve. It?s just hard times right now.

The illegals didn?t put us in this mess that we are in or did they? Maybe in you book. Answer these questions then. Are you willing to work at a car wash in the hot sun all day for tips only while the owner takes advantage of you or cut the lawn for a few bucks per day? Or better yet are you willing to clean peoples house and their toilets or a few buck. Answer those questions. You would have to be a sick-minded person to think in a narrow-minded way like you do.

In regards to #2678 Hey Illegal? My relatives came here legally and became citizens not to mention made sure they learned ENGLISH? That IS our national language.. Nobody has a problem with people comming here LEGALLY.. I have never seen german or french written on product labels and signs in retail stores!! Please come to our great country the correct way!!!

hey longtimer, it does not matter the way you got to this country, the point is that you came to a different country because your relatives needed to eat. and if now you are looking at this page is because now you are in need too.

I and many others come here to find out information and to share what we know about our common problem ?unemployment? nothing else, so can we stay on topic?

Everybody, please sign this letter/Petition and pass it along to others. We need everybody?s voice counted and heard in this matter.

Also, please don?t forget to call, fax and email Congress and the news media everyday of the week. Congress claims that folks are requesting for a tier 5 and that?s way the are not doing anything about it now.

I was trying to say? Congress claims that folks are NOT requesting for a tier 5 and that?s why they are not doing anything about it now.

http://www.examiner.com/x-27052-Rochester-Unemployment-Examiner~y2010m3d19-Unemployment-extension-legislation-Congress-is-still-working-on-it-Update?March-19?

PLEASE HELP? Remove the High Unemployment Period restrictions on Tier IV and add a 5th tier that is not connected to the unemployment rate. You only qualify for Tier IV (EB), IF your state is at 8.5% average unemployment or higher. These rates are adjusted as the politicians see fit, based on estimated migrant and seasonal farm workers ? I bet it is happening in your state). The individual states unemployment rate does not matter if you are one of the people that has never been without a job, never drawn unemployment before, are trying your best looking hard for a job everyday, and are still on the verge of losing your home and being on the street with no income. Everyone please contact your politicians and local news channels until this gets the proper attention. Call and write every day. This last bill is nothing more than a deadline extension with huge restrictions tied to the unemployment rate. Just lip service during an election year. Let?s make them do the right thing or put them out of work in November 2010 or in November 2012.

hold on everyone. cant you see whats happening. we are quickly being replaced by illegal aliens. we are not going back to work. i look around and only see illegal aliens working. when we cant work we cant participate. and when we cant participate in our own country we get mad. and now you know why we have the right to bair arms. i think the sleeping giant is about to yawn. this country went to hell when they gave our jobs away to illegal aliens. and if you think for one second that aint so? then your blind as a bat. thjis is war and its going to get ugly.

hello?.can someone tell me how long can i collect unemployment?.i been collecting since january 2009 but to be honest things in phila,PA is not to good they approve me for another extencion but after that exhoust .that tier?..

hey mark, do you know when you?re going to participate in this country? when you accept jobs for $8. also, check post 2679. people dont know how to get rid of their anger with others, just like you mark.

this week I will receive my last check from the 6 week?Tier 4. I?m very nervous. Should I still report even though my benefits are exhausted? Is there any good news regarding a possible Tier 5? If so?..is this something that may happen soon? A couple weeks without any money for rent and zero savings is scary. I have nothing more to get rid of?.we need help, serious help.

Check with the hospital they have secret programs for those who are unemployed they can put you on an insurance to pay your bill. Take your last unemployment 0 balance form with your to the hospital admin office. I had to do that myself to get insurance and my dad had to do it for a 100,000 hospital bill. They do have programs. Also, Kaiser has a program as well its not the step program its for those who can not afford insurance you have to ask for it.

This week I will be sending in my last form I could not even get a Microsoft voucher to get the free training. This is just crazy. In a few weeks a lot of people will be homeless and they are debating about heath care which they just need to pass and move on to help us. Lori, J, Richard, Miguel I know we all can make a difference because we are contacting people in the media and congress, but we can?t do it alone. The rest of us unemployed people here need to get off our butts and make those emails and calls. This is a crisis in America!

I had money left in my tier 4 and the federal gvt took it back they told me . I was expecting my last check this week.I will be on the streets within a few weeks and have no where to go.Why did the gvt. take back the money?

Crystal?.I too am sending emails and petitioning for an additional Tier. I?m not on here as much as I would like as I don?t have internet at home. I appreciate the links that you all post. I use them to get my opinion out there.

I have three weeks left in my first teir. If you question how politicians can play around with people?s lives, then all you have to do is to read these message boards. The politicians represent the people and as yous ee some people on here are as ignorant as you can get. The unemployed no longer include the lazy or unmotivated. It now includes upper and middle management, college educated and hig school educated. I was an architectural intern when I was laid off in September and have not even sniffed a job in my field. I am now working nights bartending and in the morning taking calls for people crying about their REWARDS points. Even with both of those jobs and unemployement, I?m barely making it. But my Boyfriends father had the nerve to say that no one should get unemployment. That there are plenty of jobs out there but NO ONE wants to work them. Well a month ago his Fat Arse got laid off also and what did he do?

People LIVE in BUBBLES and that includes politicians. If you can?t picture yourself in someone elses shoes then you shouldn?t be making comments about them much less making rules that could affect them.

Yeah, sounds like a real smart guy!! He should run for a public office, that sounds exactly like what our elected officials do? And of course giving themselves pay raises like recently? Unfortunately the only way to guarentee press and attention from these low life politicians is to get together for a march on the capital building in D.C. The larger the number of people the better, if they could arrange the Million Man March a few years back, why not concerned citizens and the unemployed??????

Everybody MUST do their part by Calling, Faxing and Emailing (which is free..go to the library or your local Work Source/One Stop center if you don?t have internet) and get your voice out there to Congress and the Media everyday until Tier 5 is passed. Nothing is going to be done if rely on others to do it for you and not do it your self. Everybody has to pitch in and email, fax and call.

IF THEY CAN SPEND MILLIONS ON HAITI & CHILE, they can certainly help their OWN PEOPLE, How do they pay for extensions and tier V, STOP SENDING MONEY TO OTHER COUNTRIES and SEND IT TO THE LONG TERM UNEMPLOYED!!!

Another avenue we can all use to try to get the word out about the need for a Tier V of benefits. This is a very handy, quick and easy tool to use to get our message out there, to not only the media, but to members of Congress as well.

(2700) lanah says: I agree with you and that is why we are writing about whats really going on and letting the politicians know what we are college grads, middle class that are not lazy and have worked for years but can not find a job not even for $8.00/hr.

I think that it would also be good for everyone to march on their state capitals as we don?t all have money to travel to washington d.c.

I believe that severe economic conditions warrant special measures to make sure that struggling families can keep food on the table and heat their homes.

WHY are the HOUSE democrats waiting so late to offer anything. The long term option was a joke that they knew wouldn?t get passed and now they have waited so long that they now have to propose another short term extension.

They are now even dragging their feet on the short term proposal. They have one day before they go on a 2 or 3 week RECESS. THEY know the Republicans will be against some part of it, but they are waiting until the last day?? WTF??? They are playing political games as well.

By sending out only 2 letters won ?t get anything done. You should widen your contact field. You have to send your letters to mass email to all of Congress and the Media to get your voice heard. Take the time to scroll up and read post 2648 and 2704 by Miguel in California to get a contact link and list of Congress members email and phone numbers and as well as the Media. I recommend you to write to Congress and the Media everyday as I am doing at myself everyday.

http://usunemployed.blogspot.com/2010/03/open-letter-to-congress-and-president.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+Usunemployedblogspotcom+%28usunemployed.blogspot.

This doesn?t sound promising, people?YOU NEED TO MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD?BIGTIME?if you ever hope to see ANY movement on further extensions:

He wants money for them but won?t help us here in our own country. The hell with them and help us Obama, NOW and I mean today! I had very high hope for Obama and you just lost my vote for you. What are you think off? You want money to help them but our Congress says we have no money for Tier 5. I am missing something?

Let me get this straight. I was laid off in October of ?09. I only get 26 weeks to collect unemployment and find a job, whereas those who were laid off earlier, even as little as 30 days, can collect UI for anywhere from 46-99 weeks?

An article from Tuesday the 23rd this week shows that a FLORIDA Senator is stating that the unemployment crisis is NOT an emergency, Republican Senator George LiMieux says that this is no emergency because congress knew this was coming, Read the article here:

Senator Reid just proposed they pass HR4851 to extend the extensions to the end of May so that benefits wouldn?t end while they were on recess and Senator Coburn from Oklahoma asked if they were paid for. Senator Reid said no, that this was an emergency. Senator Coburn just objected(pulled a bunning) which stops the extension. All unemployed are in trouble now.

You don?t have it correct. If a person?s tier is exhausted before the ?date? (Currently April 5th) they get to start the next tier, they are NOT approved for all tiers. If they get the next tier or not depends on what the ?date? is at the time they exhaust the funds for the tier they are currently in.

Sorry you are correct since you stated 46-99. The basic idea isn?t to provide all people say 99 weeks of unemployment, but to extend it in a time when X% of people can?t find a job. When that time passes then you go back to the 26 weeks, which is suppose to be enough time for most people to find a job. So when do you switch it off? Well you monitor the situation and continue extending the date as needed. That is what is happening right now, and as of now there is no signs that the Congress is going to stop, at least why unemployment is so high. You will notice that in the states with extra high unemployment they get one more tier, this is along the same line of thinking.

Like the protest last month, this Senator isn?t saying that the extension shouldn?t be funded, he is questioning where those funds should come from, and that is valid point.

Frankly I think the whole Congress and the President have their priorities mixed up, jobs/unemployment/training first health care bill second not the other way around.

RIGHT now on c span 2 they are speaking on the unemployment extensions and it is not looking good, the republicans are blocking it and there are not enough republicans there today to vote on it anyways! ~ this is B.S..

As you may know almost everyday I post on the same contacts for Congress and the News Media. I hope it is useful. Even others have post contacts for us to use. (I want to thank you and the regulars for their daily input and help) . Folks think by sending a letter or email only to one or two Congress members with get their vices heard. Well, maybe it will but I wish they would sent the email out to all Dems and Reps. in Congress to both parties. Also, they have to contact the Media as well News outlets and also even use Facebook and Tweeter. Email is free and if they don?t have a computer it easy to go to the library or to a Work Source/One Stop Center near their place. If they can, they should call and fax everyday Congress members and the Media. Also, Try Facebook and Tweeter. Congress uses both of those networking services also.

In regards to post 2737 130,000 to loose benefits in Ca. What is Feded??? Thanks and good luck! I?m sure most people are trying their hardest to find anything.

And start the rally for the unemployed of America; we must remove out of office the right winger, republican?s conservators, warmongers, ultra-religious, racist, the party who hates women, patriarchs of the expropriation of women uterus, nature?s exterminators, and feeder corporation?s monsters our children future is in jeopardy.

California?s unemployment rate held steady at 12.5% in February, as effects of the recession dragged into 2010, the U.S. Department of Labor reported today.

The state?s jobs picture mirrored a similar flattening of the national rate at 9.7% for the first two months of the year. Employers continue to be reluctant to expand their payrolls, economists said, despite signs of increased activity in retail sales, international trade and manufacturing.

Congress to revisit jobless benefits in 2 1/2 weeks. Sen. Tom Coburn (R- OK) is the person responsible for the delay in extending jobless benefits.

This may not be the story we want/need to hear, but at least there is some media coverage to help fuel our efforts. Let?s use this controversy to our advantage ? keep calling, keep emailing, and keep writing ALL members of Congress and the media until something is done!

Why can?t they use the TARP money to fund our ?TIER 5?? Isn?t that what the money was for? To aid Americans and get us back on our feet?

My initial claim in GA was only for 25 weeks instead of 26. Does anyone know if this will affect my eligibility for EUC if it actually becomes available?

Wow ? is it possible that someone actually wrote a story about the plight of the 99-weekers? Let?s hope MANY, MANY more are soon to follow:

http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-27052-Rochester-Unemployment-Examiner~y2010m3d26-Unemployment-extension-legislation-No-deal-in-sight-today-gamesmanship-continues?March-26?cid=sharing_twitter:

Let?s hope at least ONE of our questions gets chosen to be addressed during his upcoming interview w/Matt Lauer on Tuesday!! (see link below)

Jim- The TARP money was lent to the banks to capitalize them to avoid a ?run? (where everbody rushes to take their money out because they think they will loose it if the bank fails) on the banks.

The money they are talking about is the money that has been payed back so far from the banks to the government +interest. (the intent was for this money to go back to the Treasury to be subtracted from the deficit) . However they are sitting on the money in Congress (which is what the critics of the orginal TARP legislation said would happen) and Congress is thinking of ways to spend it. (because they wont have to vote on increasing the debt ceiling to spend it) This money should go back to the Treasury .

There IS other money in the form of what is left over from the ?stimulus package? available. This money was appropriated for direct economic recovery activities. Instead of treating it like a stimulus (get all of the money into the economy as soon as possible) they dribbled it out, there is still billions of it left. The leadership in Congress is treating this as their own private slush fund. (to be spent as the election approaches) . This is the money that Sen Bunning was advocating be spent towards the unemployment extension last month. The Repubs want to spend Stimulus money on the extension, the Dems are saying that the money is already ?allocated? and they advocate using TARP or debt money to fund it instead.

Longtimer ? just file an EEOC complaint online and retrieve all interview and or company data. Thus, good luck since the company wrote you off.

It seems that the Republicans have no fear of the voting power of the millions of long term unemployed.Lets send them a pink slip in November for poor job performance.

My benefits exhaust next week. This looking for a job, not getting one, being behind on your bills is tired to the soul. Seriously, I do understand why some commit suicide. I have family where some are very happy to see me and some others down. So I can?t depend on them. And its almost unbearable to think what will I do with no money. I guess The Senate can sleep at night because they actually have a roof over their heads. I?m told if I don?t pay current rent and back rent, they are filing an eviction.

Ok so if it set to expire the 5th of April heres my question my husbands files on 3/29 and again in 2 wks on 4/5 so am I correct that he wont get to file on 4/5? He just started Tier 1.

TC as long as he just started the tier he will be able to file on April 5th you won?t be cut off in the middle of a tier. The only thing that goes is the extra 25 dollars a week and cobra.

The House and Senate members, with the exception of Easter, WILL BE WORKING OUT OF THEIR HOME STATES during their ?Spring Break?. What does this mean? We need to join together as we have each and every day, only now focus on calling, faxing, and e-mailing, Senators and Congresspersons in their respective States? local offices. If possible, should you reside in an area that is close to one of your specific State representatives offices, take the time to pay them a visit, open the door and help put a face to our cause.

We need to be heard as one voice with the same message. As of March 29th, over FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND of the long term unemployed will no longer be receiving financial assistance. Add this to the the thousand who never qualified for tier four benefits, and we have a SERIOUS CHALLENGE. Let their staff members know that while they are home for the ?holiday? they need to go back to the hill ready to help those people who put them there to act as our voice.

We have one more day to contact our elected officials in Wasington, let?s finish the week STRONG. Let?s keep our efforts going over the break. I will continue to provide any updates I come across during the break and as always I remind you?. It was as a result of our efforts that the previous extensions were put in place and we will do it again!

I just filled out my last voucher, I?m on euc and have had one extension. Will I get my next extension since it?s not april 5th. Any info would be great.

I am in Los Angeles and in a similar boat however my first extension I am on will expire on April 10th. Does this mean that I will not automatically go to the second extension because it is only until April 5th?

Well, I received my very last check today from Tier 4. I?m scared to death. Constant headaches, stress?I have a daughter that I?m raising on my own. I work very hard to find work and am not a lazy person. I pinch the pennies that I did get and now without any income I will lose my income based apartment. There are many beautiful people and families that need someone to listen. While many are enjoying their Easter break thousands will be sitting with their children forcing themselves to smile and pretend to be in the present moment. However, the worry in our faces simply cannot be hidden.

The House and Senate members, with the exception of Easter, WILL BE WORKING OUT OF THEIR HOME STATES during their ?Spring Break?. What does this mean? We need to join together as we have each and every day, only now focus on calling, faxing, and e-mailing, Senators and Congresspersons in their respective States? local offices. If possible, should you reside in an area that is close to one of your specific State representatives offices, take the time to pay them a visit, open the door and help put a face to our cause.

We need to be heard as one voice with the same message. As of March 29th, over FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND of the long term unemployed will no longer be receiving financial assistance. Add this to the the thousand who never qualified for tier four benefits, and we have a SERIOUS CHALLENGE. Let their staff members know that while they are home for the ?holiday? they need to go back to the hill ready to help those people who put them there to act as our voice.

Thank you and you are absolutely right everyone needs to contact all dem/rep in all states. That?s what I have been doing and it gets the message across that we the people you serve need another Tier! Also when sending the online email you may need to use their area code to get a response.

Did my taxes yesterday and the taxman had the nerve to say get a job. You should be able to find a job if you have the skills. When I asked him how I could improve for next year my tax situation as I owe taxes as many of you do. I told him that its hard to find a job when people who have 30 and 20 years of experience are also applying for entry level jobs. What an ass! He sounded so Republican. After that he said I guess you have been looking for one. Of course I gave him this you dumb ass look.

Republicans. Sen. Susan Collins from Maine. Don?t forget to write to her as well about this problem as she may try to block the extension.

Hmm?Sen. Tom Coburn is claiming that Congress WILL be extending the 99 weeks max to 103 weeks, and then possibly to 107 weeks if necessary. However?nobody else (including NELP?) is currently able to confirm this as truth? One can only hope that Tom isn?

Hi Peter?.what do you mean by the EDD Tier 4? I have exhausted all Tier 4 benefits as well as the additional six weeks. I was wondering if people like myself on Tier 4 are also eligible for the short term extension that they approved a couple weeks ago? (I think it?s a two or three week extension..not sure. When I received my last check today it said I had a 0 week balance and when I called the UIA office I could not get through all day??

Cora?that short extension is just for those who haven?t exhausted all of the tiers like you and I so they can keep going while Congress farts around and tries to pass a longer extension. That extension once again is not for us 99 weekers. Hopefully after they get that extension they will pass one for the long term employed because most of us still cannot find jobs. Some members of Congress are talking about it and I am sure at least one or more Democrats will bring a bill up,but there may or may not be 60 votes to pass it. Either they will pass it or kick us into the street. Good Luck to you.

Cora ? EDD refers to Employment Development Department (EDD). Thus, as stated above, I have mailed my last claim form or end-of-Tier IV while waiting for the next hurdle when Congress reconvenes. Thus, be aware of this site:

Thanks Richard for clarifying that for me?It sure would have been nice if they would have considered all current unemployed by providing the extension to everyone rather than just some of the unemployed. That doesn?t even make sense. When is this vote expected to take place? If all of us unemployed go too long without income it will be impossible to stay afloat resulting in severe circumstances. Best of luck to you as well.

Well I just received my final tier 4 payment yesterday. Prior to that I had contacted the office here in ohio and spoke to a lady who said that after my last tier 4 payment i?d be eligible to receive the State Extended Benefits. She said my total weeks were only 92.

Well this morning I had called the office again and spoke to someone who said I would NOT be getting any benefits and that Ohio Extended ends on the 3rd of april. As of right now I am to keep claiming,and hopefully something will look up.

So never believe everything you here from them. Alot of them at the offices are tempers and don?t know what they are talking about. Your best bet is to wait and see but keep filing.

This is truely sad. I lowered the bar in looking for work,and can?t get hired at payless,mcdonalds,or BK..What does this say??? We need help mr president.You got your healthcare passed now help us!

Am I interpreting NELP?s latest newsflash correctly when it looks like they have dropped those of us who have exhauseted benefits like a hot potato?

i feel you im only on tier 1 it ends the week after cut off. im a union commercial electrician i too have lowered my standards so low in fact im seeking work that pays 1/3 and less from what i was making. the problem is when you are applying at jobs like that your going up against kids.

managers at places like that are not going to hire someone who is middle age plus. i know my girlfriend is a manager at a large chain retail store. she is told more or less not to hire those who are older more or less because of one store image and the fact that the teenagers will not pose any problems as far as fighting unemployment claims or fare labor laws.

For those on Tier 1, 2, 3, & 4 should be also worried and should contact Congress and the Media because when your current Tiers are up, you will have a Tier 5 ready for you if you need it.

The House and Senate members, with the exception of Easter, WILL BE WORKING OUT OF THEIR HOME STATES during their ?Spring Break?. What does this mean? We need to join together as we have each and every day, only now focus on calling, faxing, and e-mailing, Senators and Congresspersons in their respective States? local offices. If possible, should you reside in an area that is close to one of your specific State representatives offices, take the time to pay them a visit, open the door and help put a face to our cause.

We need to be heard as one voice with the same message. As of March 29th, over FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND of the long term unemployed will no longer be receiving financial assistance. Add this to the the thousand who never qualified for tier four benefits, and we have a SERIOUS CHALLENGE. Let their staff members know that while they are home for the ?holiday? they need to go back to the hill ready to help those people who put them there to act as our voice.

First of all, I?m looking for ANYONE in Congress who gives a crap about people who are about to lose their homes b/c there are no jobs to be had. If the devil offered me a job, at this pint I?m not sure I?

What I can?t seem to be able to figure out is ? what can we do to make employers see the over 50 crowd as a workforce they?d be happy to employ? You?d better bet that those businesses that ARE hiring have schooled their HR Dept in weeding out us ?oldsters? w/o the worry of age discrimination complaints. I am on a few great Unemployment boards and it seems that nobody over 50 had had a job offer. Unless I leave about 1/2 of my resume in the dirt and take off higher ed info, it?s pretty obvious I?m not a bushytailed just-out-of-schooler. Even if I was able to slip my age past them with the resume, once they saw me it would be ?thanks but no thanks?.

I admire your tenacity and I must say whenever I read your posts I feel re-inspired. Thanks! I have been emailing and calling ? emailing every day and calling a few times a week. I think if I have to listen to the aids in Reid?s office sighing in my ear one more time I?m going to WALK to Washington and give them a lecture in Customer Service!

you all dont see it they sold everyone out. its just not the people who have been collecting for 2 years its everyone on unemployment.

with out the cut off dates being extending many will be cut off before even seeing tier 1,2 or 3. the fact that they all took easter break without addressing HR 4851 says it all.

if they cant even pass HR 4213 or at the very least HR 4851 we are all doomed. i just see the thought that someone who is cut of at tier 1 will have an easier time finding a job then someone who is a 99er. with that kind of think all of you who have used all benefits should have found a job when you were on tier 1 or 2 seeing as its so much easier.

the point being we have been shedding jobs now for almost 3 years. there just arent enough jobs out there and im not even talking about good jobs, the fact that walmart is laying people off says it all.

we need to stand together on this issue not divided. if they pass anything at all for unemployment you should be happy as it at least helps someone!

Do NOT respond to this message through email. If you need additional information or assistance regarding this matter, contact us through the Ask EDD Web site. Be sure to select the same category and include your Reference Number: 2891527.

I sent an inquiry (via CA EDD email contact system) asking about what options for assistance I had left when my current Tier (Tier 3 EUC) runs out on April 10, 2010. Below is the email reply they sent me (omitting any personal identifying information. As of today, the FED ED is already cut back from 20 weeks to 13 weeks. I have no idea what ?EUY? & ?EUW? mean, maybe they more specifically refer to the EUC Tiers?

So if we have exhausted our tier 4 benefits then the short extension they passed has no effect on us? I see it says they extended it to the week ending April 4th and ive been confused about this. My account balance says 0.00$ am i not going to receive any more benefits?

Brandon- the extension was for the deadline to file claims for various Tiers of extended benefits. At this time, once Tier 4 is exhausted, there are no additional Tiers available. That being said, Congress may later decide to extend the duration of federal benefits to go beyond the current maximum of 99 weeks.

Can someone answer this? I have received 48 weeks of unemployment. I?ve been told I?ve exhausted tier 4 (massachusetts). I don?t plan (at least hope) to be unemployed 2 years, but why is it some people get 99 weeks while others a year even in high unemployment states? Thanks. Wish the best to all of you:)

http://www.examiner.com/x-27052-Rochester-Unemployment-Examiner~y2010m3d30-Unemployment-extension-legislation-Is-Congress-considering-increasing-the-99-week-limit?March-30?

operation flood the country is at han! Everyone unemployed about to be laid off. Write to every congress person, the media and the president about this starting next week! We need a Tier V and to continue benefits to those who need assistance. Also call your local reps!

You couldn?t be any farther from the truth. Make the rich man richer and he?ll make more jobs. Trickle down economics do not work. The rich got 3 large tax cuts in the 2000?s and look how that worked out. The rich get richer while the poor get poorer.

Well Mr Anomymous, I have to correct you . There were tax cuts in 2001 and after 9-11 for everybody who paid taxes (rich or poor, if you paid taxes you received a tax cut) . The economy responded well to this. Jobs were created as a result (roughly 150K jobs per month), record tax revenues were collected, in 2007 the Federal deficit was as low as $175B (vs over $1T today).

The issue that tripped up the economy was NOT tax cuts, it was the institutionalized speculation in real estate (incentivized by the government) that created a bubble in real estate values and encouraged even more speculators. (Many of us either have or know people that were house ?flipping? for example) . Many financial institutions piled on to this speculation further inflating the real estate bubble. When this bubble collapsed (as they all do) it reverbed throughout the economy and resulted in the recession and job loss we see today.

Please take a moment to comment on the blog with the initial story. They do not air until 9 pm, lots of time for comments be heard before air time!!

How can congress go on recess while us unemployed wait for them to vote on the Extensions (or not!)? In the meantime, our bills continue to accrue. Isn?t this the same group that votes for their own pay raises? You don?t see them taking a recess when they do that!

Good online chat with John Schoen of MSNBC.com today?take a look. He seems to feel that Congress will simply have to grant another extension until we begin to see more improvement in the overall job market:

While Congress is working on an extension, they must consider adding more weeks of benefits. I have been unemployed since April 2008 and have been unable to find work. I am searching for work every day and still have had no luck. My unemployment ran out at the end of March and now I have no income at all. I have no money to pay the bills for April and fear now that I will lose everything that I have tried to hold on to.

Please help us out here. I really don?t want to be on unemployment, I want a JOB. But, until then, please don?t leave us without any income. I have gone from Middle Class to Poor since this has all began. Not sure I can hang on much longer.

I just want to wish everyone on this forum a Happy Easter. I know it?s very tough out here but lets not forget the true meaning. Atleast we can have time with our loved ones.

I just wanted to inform you guys about something that has happend to me lastweek. Well my tier 4 benefits ran out the 3rd week of march. Since then I haven?t had any income what so ever. I am sitting on what very small amount I have left. I am now behind on all my bills,and facing reposession on a vehicle that will be paid off in 3 more months. Just 3 more payments of 200 and its done with. I am proud to have kept it through this terrible storm pursay.What little money that is left is strickly to keep food in my kids mouth (2-under the age of 4). Well because I no longer have benefits I was told that I should keep filing. Everyday I have been searching newspapers,forums,craigslist job postings,and going onto retail sites and apply online,and just sending out random resumes to places all over my area. Sadly some places have been applied to numerous times. What are you to do right?

I call the unemployment office and they tell me that I shouldn?t be applying online and that I should be going out in person. Now that is what Ive been doing until Ive gone broke.There are even job fairs who are charging people to get in?Can you believe this?? Pay money we don?t have for a job? So I explain to the rep that with no money for gas how can I get out. I mean cleveland seems only so big especially when laid off for 2 years and it seems like you applied to every place. Then she tells me that I am applying to the same buisness more than once througout my search. I mean they are getting rediculous.

Well I just wanted you guys to see what I am faced with. I hope nobody goes through that. It makes me upset when people look down on you because you are unemployed. Its not my choice believe me. Even jobs are telling me that due to being out of work,Its hard to take a chance on someone like that because they may leave when something better comes.So its like why risk it!

Just in case it?s of help to anyone, the Census is hiring hundreds of thousands more workers. They are short-term temporary jobs, but they are jobs. Here?s some more information on how to apply:

I was layed off in september of 09 my regular benifits are set to run out in two weeks after april 5th does this mean im screwed and will not get any extension like the rest who have been unemployed for longer??

Thank you so much for doing this blog! I am bookmarking it and am ANXIOUSLY waiting/hoping for congress to approve more extensions ? my benefits are set to expire April 15th and I am really nervous because I have two small children and bills to keep up with. Again, thanks for the info!

While applying for a position at a former company, my manager comments about, ?how long do you expect to be around?? Great, now applying for positions, one is told to disguise the resume. Thus, with these comments, one can certainly create assumptions while the other half, employers, or labor law attorneys assume normal behavior.

Have you called them and asked for a 90 day or 60 day hold on your car account so that you can have some time to pay for your car due to financial hardship? The only other thing besides that is to put the $600.00 for the car on your credit card. So at least you can keep that or ask someone to help you if they can. You really need to be able to get around in order to to get to work when you find it.

For those on Tier 1, 2, 3, & 4 should be also worried and should contact Congress and the Media because when your current Tiers are up, you will have a Tier 5 ready for you if you need it.

The House and Senate members, with the exception of Easter, WILL BE WORKING OUT OF THEIR HOME STATES during their ?Spring Break?. What does this mean? We need to join together as we have each and every day, only now focus on calling, faxing, and e-mailing, Senators and Congresspersons in their respective States? local offices. If possible, should you reside in an area that is close to one of your specific State representatives offices, take the time to pay them a visit, open the door and help put a face to our cause.

We need to be heard as one voice with the same message. As of March 29th, over FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND of the long term unemployed will no longer be receiving financial assistance. Add this to the the thousand who never qualified for tier four benefits, and we have a SERIOUS CHALLENGE. Let their staff members know that while they are home for the ?holiday? they need to go back to the hill ready to help those people who put them there to act as our voice.

Are your unemployment benefits nearing their end date? Are you concerned you might soon be without a source of income? Are you frustrated that the Senate did not deal with these problems before its recess? If so, PLEASE FILL OUT THE FORM at the link below and an ABC ?World News? producer may contact you for a future story:

Got my last check last Saturday. Just my opinion here which counts for nothing but it seems to me that the dems are going to have to find a way to finance the extension like the repubs have been demanding, otherwise it is doubtful they will get the 60 votes needed. In the meantime I am emailing and calling everyday. What do you think?

Targeting: The President of the United States, The U.S. Senate, The U.S. House, see more?The President of the United States, The U.S. Senate, The U.S. House, Nancy Pelosi (Speaker of the House), Sen. Jon Kyl (AZ), Sen. Dick Durbin (IL), Sen. Mitch McConnell (KY), Sen. Harry Reid (NV), Sen. Chuck Schumer (NY), Sen. Tom Coburn (OK), Rep. Nancy Pelosi (CA-08), Rep. Steny Hoyer (MD-05), Rep. Eric Cantor (VA-07) and Rep. Jim McDermott (WA-07)

You have decided to ignore the people you reduced to poverty. The longest unemployed workers did not create this depression, you did. You did this with your failure to regulate the banks, health industry, and corporations. People who were fully employed, paying taxes, and raising families are now paying the price for your negligence. They trusted you to keep something like this from happening. You failed them.

Now you are deliberately failing them again. This may be a recession for you, but it?s a depression for them. You know this depression will last longer than until March, yet you have no plans to add additional unemployment tiers to keep these people from becoming increasingly destitute. Tens of thousands will begin to lose all financial support on March 14. You know with full clarity that these benefits are the only money keeping food on their tables. You know that their benefits run out in March, and that these American families will be on the path to shelters and soup kitchens.

By the way, don?t pride yourself on extending the current benefits for the more recently unemployed, as included in the Job Bill. Of course you should do this, but as you know, the bill as it is written will not help any of those who have been the longest and hardest hit by this depression. The Job Bill only half addresses the unemployed, and 50% is an F.

Please make sure that the only choice for Americans who want to work is either a job or unemployment benefits. Don?t end benefits until there are jobs for them. As of now, there is only 1 job for every 6 unemployed workers. Take care of these victims.

I?ve been unemployed since September 2009. I got laid off due the lack of work. My ex co- worker told me my boss hired illegal worker for my position and pays him 3 times less. Anyway, I?ve been looking for job every single day since September. I had only two interviews!!!! My regular benefits are to expire next week. My savings are already zero. If the congress do not approve the extensions I have to go to live on the street. I do not want to collect unemployment, I want my income to be from work. This situation is really bad. All the companies exported the manufacturing process in Asia!!! Low quality, same final price, high unemployment rate in the US, people stoppped buying goods?..

Its sad that congress could take a vacation when we have a national emergency. wow they really don?t care about us at all. People keep calling and contacting them to let them know how you feel and that they need a tier V you may not need it now but you may need it later so you should support it!

WASHINGTON (AP) ? The number of newly laid-off workers seeking unemployment benefits rose last week, a sign that jobs remain scarce even as the economy recovers.

The Labor Department said Thursday that first-time claims increased by 18,000 in the week ending April 3, to a seasonally adjusted 460,000. That?s worse than economists? estimates of a drop to 435,000, according to a survey by Thomson Reuters.

The report covers the week that includes the Easter holiday, and a Labor Department analyst said seasonal adjustment for Easter can be difficult since the holiday occurs in different weeks each year.

California also closed its state offices for a holiday March 31, the analyst said, which likely held down the claims figures. On an unadjusted basis, claims rose by 6,500 to nearly 415,000.

Economists closely watch unemployment claims, which are seen as a gauge of layoffs and a measure of companies? willingness to hire new workers.

The four week average, which smooths volatility, rose to 450,250. Two weeks ago, the average fell to its lowest level since September 2008, when Lehman Brothers collapsed and the financial crisis intensified.

The figures underscore that the job market remains weak even as the economy recovers. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke said Wednesday that high unemployment is one of the toughest challenges the economy faces.

While layoffs have slowed, hiring is ?very weak,? he said. ?We are far from being out of the woods. Many Americans are still grappling with unemployment or foreclosure or both.?

On a more positive note in the Labor Department?s report, the tally of people continuing to claim benefits for more than a week fell by 131,000 to 4.55 million, the lowest level since December 2008.

That figure lags initial claims by a week. But it doesn?t include millions of people who have used up the regular 26 weeks of benefits typically provided by states, and are receiving extended benefits for up to 73 additional weeks, paid for by the federal government.

Slightly more than 5.8 million people were receiving extended benefits in the week ended March 20, the latest data available, a drop of about 230,000 from the previous week. The extended benefit data isn?t seasonally adjusted and is volatile from week to week.

Other recent reports have indicated that employers are slowly ramping up hiring. The Labor Department said Friday that the nation added a net total of 162,000 jobs in March, the most in three years. The unemployment rate held at 9.7 percent for the third straight month.

Layoffs fell to their lowest level in three years in February, according to a separate government report Tuesday. But hiring remained about 40 percent below pre-recession levels.

Some companies are still cutting jobs. An oilfield services company, Denver-based EnerCrest, said this month it has closed five locations in four states, losing 225 employees. Business software company Computer Associates Inc. said Tuesday that it is cutting 1,000 jobs as part of a plan to reduce costs.

Some recipients of the extended federal aid could see their benefits disrupted this week, as Congress failed to approve a continuation of the federal programs before leaving for a two-week vacation at the end of March.

That could cut off benefits for more than 200,000 people this week, according to the National Employment Law Project, an advocacy group, but Congressional Democratic leaders have said they will make up for the lost checks when they extend the program later this month.

The rich get richer and the poor get poorer. I thought when you make the rich richer it is supposed to trickle down to the poor. I don?t actually believe this but i?ve seen a few of them quotes on here. People need to wake up.

So if an extension is approved on 4/15 to what date will it be extended? My benefits end the last week of April, so I?m concerned that mine may not end soon enough for eligibility.

Can someone please explain the deadlines for filing for extensions? I don?t get it and it makes no sense why they are deadlines and people are not making these deadlines.

I?m currently on my 1st extension that will end in May. Does that mean that because I did not exhaust all my Benefits by April 5, that I do not qualify for a second extension??? I don?t get it. Anyone please help me? Thanks in advanced.

For those on Tier 1, 2, 3, & 4 should be also worried and should contact Congress and the Media because when your current Tiers are up, you will have a Tier 5 ready for you if you need it.

The House and Senate members, with the exception of Easter, WILL BE WORKING OUT OF THEIR HOME STATES during their ?Spring Break?. What does this mean? We need to join together as we have each and every day, only now focus on calling, faxing, and e-mailing, Senators and Congresspersons in their respective States? local offices. If possible, should you reside in an area that is close to one of your specific State representatives offices, take the time to pay them a visit, open the door and help put a face to our cause.

We need to be heard as one voice with the same message. As of March 29th, over FOUR HUNDRED THOUSAND of the long term unemployed will no longer be receiving financial assistance. Add this to the the thousand who never qualified for tier four benefits, and we have a SERIOUS CHALLENGE. Let their staff members know that while they are home for the ?holiday? they need to go back to the hill ready to help those people who put them there to act as our voice.

This is so frustrating. My first extension runs out in May 13-15. So of right now if my understanding is correct I do not qualify for a second extension, right?

Now, if they do extend the deadline will it be extended by how many days? If they extended by 30, on April 15, they I think I barely make the deadline. Is that how this work? WTH do they do that? It makes no sense. Someone please explain this to me. I?m so confused.

Just checking in. I?ve also received my last check on the last extension. So here we are again. Now what? The jobs still aren?t out there.

Here?s an update regarding the possible vote to extend on 4-15. I just emailed both Republican Senators mentioned in this article who may cross over and vote to extend. Please do the same as soon and possible and ask for their vote to extend.

You have decided to ignore the people you reduced to poverty. The longest unemployed workers did not create this depression, you did. You did this with your failure to regulate the banks, health industry, and corporations. People who were fully employed, paying taxes, and raising families are now paying the price for your negligence. They trusted you to keep something like this from happening. You failed them.

Now you are deliberately failing them again. This may be a recession for you, but it?s a depression for them. You know this depression will last longer than until March, yet you have no plans to add additional unemployment tiers to keep these people from becoming increasingly destitute. Tens of thousands will begin to lose all financial support on March 14. You know with full clarity that these benefits are the only money keeping food on their tables. You know that their benefits run out in March, and that these American families will be on the path to shelters and soup kitchens.

By the way, don?t pride yourself on extending the current benefits for the more recently unemployed, as included in the Job Bill. Of course you should do this, but as you know, the bill as it is written will not help any of those who have been the longest and hardest hit by this depression. The Job Bill only half addresses the unemployed, and 50% is an F.

Please make sure that the only choice for Americans who want to work is either a job or unemployment benefits. Don?t end benefits until there are jobs for them. As of now, there is only 1 job for every 6 unemployed workers. Take care of these victims.

Actually, everyone on here is anonymous. I take it you?ve never heard of trickle up economics L. Thomas? You see, when the ?poor? people have money to spend they?ll spend it which puts money into the economy and will actually help small business. Who do you think most of these small businesses sell goods and services too, the rich? No, they provide it to the common working class people. I would supposed you?re also against unemployment extensions and social programs also? I find it funny that the same people against this kind of thing would be the first ones to complain when they don?t get their social security.

Hey L. Thomas, where are our jobs? The rich got huge tax cuts under Bush which should?ve created all these jobs based on your reagonomics. So where are they?

At this rate it looks like the petition will hit its goal tomorrow, right when the Senate resumes its session, continues debate, and is scheduled to hold a cloture vote on a new 30-day unemployment extension.

Please bring back outsourced jobs or at least charge those getting richer due to outsourcing pay benefits to Americans who have been replaced by cheap labor in third world countries.

Please help me understand with this vote took place yesterday. If this passes in the Senate, and it is expected to, it will go to President Obama to be signed into law. The vote is expected later this week.

Will it help the 99?ers? I have used up all of my 99 weeks also. I live in California. Will it add more weeks? From my understanding I was on Tier 4 which finished up. I need a Tier 5, correct? So will this bill add more weeks back to Tier 4? Who will is vote benefit?

From what I understand this new bill will not do anything for us 99?ers. Keep signing petitions and email your reps for a Tier 5. PLEASE!

Please contact them for TIER 5 today. Everybody has to do their part on their own. Don?t wait on somebody else to to all the work. We all are in it together.

In your ?Jobless benefits clear GOP roadblock? story, you failed to mention all of the unemployed who have exhausted all benefits and have been left face down in the dirt by Congress.

Your article gives the impression that ALL of the unemployed have been thrown a lifeline and that all is now looking up for these poor suffering Americans- food will be on the table, mortgages can be paid, etc. True for some, but certainly NOT for all unemployed.

There are close to 1,000,000 American wage earners (and please note that this does not count the number of family members they support) who have been discounted from any further assistance in the form of UI benefits. Sort of a home grown genocide ? wouldn?t you think?

By only reporting half the truth, your journalism has been slanted in favor of the illusion our Government is attempting to pass by not only this country, but those worldwide who are following this story. Please be brave enough to tell the Emperor that he is not wearing any clothes. Please have the courage to report ALL of the facts, and not just those that fit our Congress? agenda.

SORRY! Meant to say ?linked? ? not ?liked?! I know you?re in my boat of out of benefits, so it?s very possible you weren?t jumping for joy with the 1/2 truth reporting in the article either.

Below are three fax services that allow you to send two FREE faxes (per service, per day) via your computer. That is SIX FAXES a day you can send to our elected officals regarding a tier 5 extension:

I have use up all my unemployment and extenison and got my last check on April 2, 2010. I been out of work since april of 2008 2 years. I even went to school for 1 year at ITT for culinary of arts and graudated in september 2009 and been looking for a job as a cook and nothing. I also have 10 years in dispatching and still nothing.

I would advise you to sign all kinds of petitions, call, email and fax Congress and the Media everyday. The way you wrote your question seems to me is like you asking us to extend the benefits. This is a blog only with information. We can?t extend anything from this blog.

You can find all the contact information and ways to contact Congress members and the Media by scrolling up to Post # 2648, 2704 and 2858. It only takes a few minutes to do it.

They extended the deadline to May 5. So, if my benefits run out for on May 15th, that means I?m out of luck?!? I?m currently on extension 1. This is frustrating if that?s the case b/c there?s going to be more people who will be out on the cold.

You are absolutely right they are just trying to say a bunch of crap that is only the half truth. How can you forget about the people who have nothing coming in? What are we suppose to do until the jobs roll in? We have been looking for work and trying to take even a $6.00/hr job but with so many people applying and us being over qualified, over age, over weight, the wrong looking person for the job or what ever they come up with its not easy. How can you change these things? Why are people being punished for having an education? This is nuts! congress needs to listen to us and the journalist need to report the truth the whole truth and not the half truth!

Didn?t the deficit get ran up by unfunded tax breaks for the wealthy, corporate america bailouts, a war in the middle east, and sending billions of dollars of aid to other countries, just to name a few? So what the republicans are saying is that during the ?make the rich people richer? Bush administration the country ran up a huge deficit. So big that there is no money left for the average american citizen? Does anyone have a ballpark figure on how much money went out unfunded during the ?make the rich people richer? Bush administration? (That all the republicans in Washington voted for)

So this latest extension is only going to help those who are the more ?newly? unemployed. Those who have not reached the end of Tier 4 yet and those who have reached the end of Tier 4, the ?99ers?, are being totally ignored until Congress fights and argues somemore over where the money is going to come from to pay for further extensions for everybody.

How many more months is that going to take now that there is another, more important, ?financial? bill that the President wants passed in a months time? Keep wasting time and I will be living in my car. My landlords need the rent so they can pay their mortgage on this duplex!

Don?t see why the 99ers couldn?t have been added to this last extension also, until Congress could make up their minds about what they want to do!

Help me kids. I have been unemployed since Nov 8 2008. My benefits allegedly exhausted April 3. That does not add up to 99 weeks. The lady at TWC (Texas Workforce Commission) told me my benefits would commence once they pass this legislation. Am I retarded? Or does it depend on what state you are in correlated to that state?s unemployment % ?

FINALLY, FINALLY FINALLY some (possibly?) GOOD NEWS for the 99-weekers! The lovely people over at AllYourTV.com (God bless them!) are saying that the Democrats are HINTING AT PLANS FOR A POSSIBLE TIER 5 (most likely to be approx. 13 weeks of benefits?hopefully passing that legislation w/in the next six weeks). Here is the story:

http://www.allyourtv.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=1128:dems-hint-at-plans-for-possible-tier-5-extension-of-unemployment-benefits&catid=118:

I just started new claim a couple of weeks ago and today I was sent to orientation by Texas Workforce. They gave me a form to bring to temporary service for posible job. My question is, I don?t qualify for the job they are sending me to but, if I don?t register with temporary service, will this interupt my benefits? Paper said if I did not go it could possible affect benefits.

Yes, the key is to keep the pressure on so that they will do something about it NOW, (not within six weeks). Our best bet is to make it an election issue. Every call and email they receive registers as a potential vote in every incumbents mind. That means most Democrats will see it as a way to gain seats and most Republicans will see it as a way to lose their seats.

The article from today (see post 2868) said they will be reluctant to pass it as it gets closer to elections. We can?t allow the issue to linger. Let?s keep putting faces to this issue and giving it a voice.

[Updated at 7:15 p.m.] The $18 billion bill now returns to the House for a final vote, which is cheduled for later Thursday. The president is expected to sign it into law soon after.

The measure would restore federal unemployment benefits to more than 200,000 jobless Americans who started losing them on April 5 after lawmakers let that deadline pass. Checks would be retroactive to that date.

Federal unemployment benefits, which last up to 73 weeks, kick in after the state-funded 26 weeks of coverage expire. These federal benefits are divided into tiers, and the jobless must apply each time they move into a new tier.

The bill, which was approved by a 59-38 vote, would also extend several other provisions until May 31, including: The federal COBRA health insurance subsidy; the National Flood Insurance Program and the copyright license used by satellite television providers. It also prevents a 21 percent reduction in Medicare payment rates for doctors from taking place until May 31.

[Posted at 6:12 p.m.] The Senate passed a bill Thursday that would temporarily extend unemployment benefits, sending the measure back to the House after rancorous debate over how to pay for it.

I have been unemployed since September 18. I have 487 real live resumes out, not only for positions in my field, but in other fields that I think I could do well in, am with four recruiting firms and also a local support group whose goal is to help each other find employment. I am not sitting around eating bon bons. I have a house to support and two children that depend on me. Put yourself in our shoes. What if your paycheck was not in your bank account at the end of the week? Or what if it were your mothers or daughters? I paid into unemployment with the forty years I have been working and for me to sit in front of a television and watch votes be tallied and pick my fate was disheartening. This is America. Take care of our people, please.

I have used up my 99 weeks. I am in California. The bill passed today, will it help me out with more weeks or is it a Tier 5 which I need.

Will it help the 99?ers? I have used up all of my 99 weeks also. I live in California. Will it add more weeks? From my understanding I was on Tier 4 which finished up. I need a Tier 5, correct? So will this bill add more weeks back to Tier 4? Who will is vote benefit?

I have used up my 99 weeks. I am in California. The bill passed today, will it help me out with more weeks or is it a Tier 5 which I need.

Will it help the 99?ers? I have used up all of my 99 weeks also. I live in California. Will it add more weeks? From my understanding I was on Tier 4 which finished up. I need a Tier 5, correct? So will this bill add more weeks back to Tier 4? Who will is vote benefit?

Ok, someone please answer my Q ? with this bill does that mean I qualify for my second extension ? my first extension is over May 15. I?m in California?????

I?m a bit confused. I am about to finish up my 4 Tier with about 79 weeks used up. Does the extension apply to me? Will my benefits keep going? Thanks in advance for any advice.

Hello. I exhausted all of my Tier 4 benefits and I?ve been without any income for 2 weeks now. I live daily with worry and a giant pain at the pit of my stomach. It seems when I read these updates that there isn?t much discussion surrounding a Tier 5 other than the people who are trying their hardest to be heard (thank-you for that)? I cannot understand why these federal extensions wouldn?t also apply to the long term unemployed, it makes no sense to me. I do have a question??I hear some people say to continue reporting even when all benefits have been exhausted, does that mean to continue calling into the Marvin line? Thank-You.

i am in chicago and i have exausted my 99 weeks. are they at least considering a tier 5 for the long term unemployed. i applied for public aid but as it turns out they give you $200 a month in link for food. ?BUT? to my surprise you have to be a female in order to recieve cash and medical benefits. the government is shady when it comes to equil rights. women have equil opportunity when it comes to jobs and ect??. but i guess that the rules dont apply when men need help or the US is in a recession. all i can say is WOW.

What congress did was not to benefits that have ran out But to put more money into the ones that have not. They talk like there helping the unemployed when all they are doing is bringing the numbers down by eliminating people who are eligible. 400.000 unemployed in this country means that?s the number eligible and receiving benefits. Not the ones who have ran-out or can?t collect or the homeless. So the real numbers are doubled if you count all unemployed.They LIE LIE LIE to us constantly.

I think some ppl aren?t understanding that. The deadline that just passed of April 5th, would have cut off alot ppl, who wasnt going to get the chance to have 99 weeks like some other ppl. The extension of the DEADLINE, which is what they just passed, allows those who have not completed their 99 weeks, to do that.

Like my situation. I am in tier 2. the april 5th deadline (had it not been extended just now), would have made it so that tier 2 was all i could get. i wouldnt have had the chance to use tier 3 or 4, like some were able to.

This extension that was just passed, only extended the deadline, to give ppl time to transition to their next tier. Now I can transition.

i know someone made the comment, they didnt understand why the extension of benefits didnt apply to the 99?ers, too (the long term unemployed).. It is not an extension of benefits.. but an extension of the deadline.

If you haven?t already please keep writing and calling your local representatives, also call your governors as well and local news stations to let them know that a tier V is needed. You may not need it now but I assure you, you may need it in the future! If the tea-party can get that much press then we need to step-up or protest as well!

?The greatest evil is not done in those sordid dens of evil that Dickens loved to paint but is conceived and ordered (moved, seconded, carried, and minuted) in clear, carpeted, warmed, well-lighted offices, by quiet men with white collars and cut fingernails and smooth-shaven cheeks who do not need to raise their voices.?

For those on Tier 1, 2, 3, & 4 should be also worried and should contact Congress and the Media because when your current Tiers are up, you will have a Tier 5 ready for you if you need it.

Everybody MUST do their part by Calling, Faxing and Emailing (which is free..go to the library or your local Work Source/One Stop center if you don?t have internet) and get your voice out there to Congress and the Media everyday until Tier 5 is passed. Nothing is going to be done if rely on others to do it for you and not do it your self. Everybody has to pitch in and email, fax and call.

IF THEY CAN SPEND MILLIONS ON HAITI & CHILE, they can certainly help their OWN PEOPLE, How do they pay for extensions and tier V, STOP SENDING MONEY TO OTHER COUNTRIES and SEND IT TO THE LONG TERM UNEMPLOYED!

I posted a blog about 15 mins ago with contact information in regards to Congress members and the Media for everybody on here to view. It was a bit long. Please make sure that post does get posted on here.

I have been unemployed a little over a year (14 months) and called the unemployment office yesterday and found out I do not qualify for this new extension. I guess my point is, not all of us will get another year of benefits like the 99 weekers and wanted to give an FYI to people who were unable to call yesterday. I?m also in a very high unemployment state. Best wishes to everybody and the people in the tiers because you won?t be qualified for 99 weeks. Congress knew if they held off alot of people would fall off, it was a caculated move. So, I guess it?s time for everybody to sign the petition and start calling.

Thank you for contacting me about extending unemployment benefits. I appreciate hearing from you, and I agree we must act swiftly to help America?s jobless workers.

I am pleased to tell you that important legislation has been enacted to extend unemployment benefits for thousands of Americans struggling to make ends meet. The Continuing Extension Act (H.R.4851) extends benefits retroactively, from April 5, 2010 until June 2, 2010.

H.R.4851 gives the Senate and House of Representatives time to reconcile their versions of H.R.4213, the American Workers, State, and Business Relief Act, which would extend unemployment benefits through December 31, 2010. I anticipate that this legislation will be enacted soon so that families will continue to have the financial support they need.

Although this extension provides only temporary relief to the unemployed, be assured that creating and saving jobs for millions of Americans is my top priority in the Senate.

Again, thank you for writing to me on this important issue. Please do not hesitate to contact me again about any issue of importance to you.

Hi Everybody, I am just wondering. I read just about every comment dating to 11/2008. There certainly was allot of Bush Bashing. Yes under his Watch came this Terrible Downfall. Well here it is 4/2010. second year of the Obama Administration. Things are worse now With no sign of Improvement. Oh I am sorry Wall Street is doing Okay for now! Especially the Unemployment numbers. So I ask How has the Change we can Belive in & The road to recovery (so called Stimulus Bill) Worked for you & your Family so far? When do you think the Obama Distraction should take some blame for this. Instead of adding some more Benefits for Unemployment or Giving Tax incentives for Business to Hire People . We have a Healthcare Bill that will not fully go in to Effect until 2014 maybe even later. So you are keeping it Classy for a Man who can talk a good Game but not Deliver one!

No offense but from all i heard and read most folks seem to think that allyourtv,com is simply an very unrelible Blog and not real news!

Our benevolent Congress recently voted to allow only some of the millions of unemployed Americans to continue to survive in this treacherous and still floundering recession we know as the United States economy. With a stroke of his pen, President Obama sentenced well over 1,000,000 not so lucky unemployed Americans to a life of poverty, homelessness, utter destitution and worse.

Proclaiming that to not allow a continuation of unemployment benefits an ?inhuman? act that would cause untold hardship, Congress has extended the date of eligibility for benefits under the guise that The Continuing Extension Act of 2010 (H.R.4851) extends actual cash benefits for ?the unemployed.? The language used in this propaganda spoken by Congress and many of the ?go with the flow? media outlets is not only misleading, it?s a blatant misrepresentation of the facts. Only those who have not maxed out their benefits will be allowed continued financial help. The near 1,000,000 who have exceeded the allowable collection period have been kicked to the curb and left without any means to pay for food, housing and the everyday necessities of life. These are Americans who through no fault of their own lost their jobs to outsourcing and a crumbling economy ? neither of which was their fault, but certainly their misfortune.

There are a few journalists (and their number is growing) who have had the courage to report the cold, hard facts of the ugly side of H.R. 4851 and the huge population of unemployed Americans who face a downward spiral into poverty and homelessness due to the decisions of Congress in this matter. While our Nation rushes to the aid of other countries in crisis, it has continually ignored the monumental catastrophe that are the long term unemployed of the United States of America.

This home grown genocide of the Middle Class continues each and every day that our Government refuses to acknowledged the millions of Americans who every day send desperate communications via fax, email and phone calls, begging our elected officials for help. Foreclosures, repossession of automobiles, disconnection of utilities, loss of dignity and in more than a few cases death by their own hands as they can no longer find a way to survive ? this has become the fate of those whom Congress have designated as the acceptable collateral damage of this Great Recession.

I just spoke with the Florida UC office. My Tier IV UC benefits expired on April 5th. I am not eligible for any additional UC benefits unless and until Congress approves a Tier V. I have been unemployed since August 2008. Since the day I was laid off, I have been submitting resumes, sending cold call letters, answering ads, networking, etc. with no employment yet. On many instances I have been told that after interviewing I ?came in second.? My age perhaps! My former employer has listed my former job on Career Builder yesterday. I have applied via Career Builder and also contacted the President of the company regarding re-hire. I?ve not yet received any response even though I have a letter of personal recommendation from this president of the company. Any ideas anyone?

I realize that the more people sign the petition the better our chances of Congress paying attention to us. But the goal keeps rising, what?s that about! We shouldn?t even have to sign a petition. WE are screwed, they don?t care about us..

That is a bunch of BS that the unemployed are lazy?I was working for the greedy company for 27 years and got laid off. Just goes to show you, don?t go into management with no union protection, because they can lay you off for noreason at all.. I?ve been trying to find a job for 2yrs now and am lucky if I even get a response back. My life has been completely destroyed by this?besides one can?t really live off of unemployment, with what they pay..granted better than nothing?If anyone of those people in congress lost there job they could very well be in the same boat. They are just a bunch of SOB?s that have no idea what we are up against. I DIDN?T ASK FOR THIS?.They allow these big companies to lay off people, making the higher salaries, then they cut pensions, and medical and 401k plans, when will it end..They won?t be happy until we are all homeless and the illegals are here taking our jobs or they outsource the jobs to other countries and pay them nothing. WE ARE NOT LAZY..there are no jobs that will hire me for the salaries they are paying?They don?t even consider me and believe me, I would take a job paying $14 an hr but they just won?t even give me the opportunity. :/ Some of us are getting older, thinking we could maybe retire soon and now we have to start all over.. I have friends that say take any job, they haven?t got a clue..what job no one will hire me.. Nothing changed for them, life goes on as usual.. Until you are in this predictment, unless you have a freakin job for me, then please shut up..

Taylor, I was sort of in the same boat as you were. I had a good paying non union job and they layed off a bunch of us. A few weeks later they had an ad hiring new production workers which is what I did. I had good reviews at my job and when I called them and asked them why I wasn?t called back they told me they weren?t hiring for the job that I was doing. Talk about corporate greed. A union was brought up there once and they told people they would send the jobs to mexico if a union was ever voted in. They actually did send some jobs there anyways to prove a point.

EVERYTHING you said rings true for me as well. I am in the exact same boat as you. Lost my CAREER (not just a job?a 20 year career!), my property, many ?friends?, my girlfriend?seemingly, my whole life is GONE!?and nobody seems to understand.

Now, let?s get this TIER 5 going! This economy is NOT getting any better?and we NEED this assistance. If there are no jobs for short-term unemployed?why would there be jobs for long-term unemployed? It doesn?t make sense to cut us off like this. THERE ARE NO JOBS!!!

Well, I haven?t received a check since April 5. I can no longer afford gas, rent, car payment, utilities, etc?.I cannot find any work. I?m scared out of my mind and it seems that a Tier 5 hasn?t caught any attention!!!! What the heck are we going to do? The more time that goes by without any action being taken the less likely this will happen for those in desperate need. This is affecting good people, good children and families. I?m sorry to be such a downer but I feel very discouraged at this point.

Cora,please hang in there, I know how you feel,I have two Boys whose parents died and I am raising them.I have been unemployed since April 2008. It is hard explaining too them why there is no money for our basic needs.Shame on our government, spend money everywhere except home where it is really need!!!

I know that this sounds pessimistic but I believe that the democrats will introduce an extension for us 99 weekers but they will try to pass it without funding it and they will force it to come to a vote and they won?t get 60 votes. Then they can just say to us, Sorry-we tried but those nasty old republicans won?t go for it and that will be the end for us.

I don?t know what the holdup is????!!! I received my last benefits on April 4, 2010. I though I would automatically get the extension, I was wrong because it extension expired April 4th so the checks just stopped. I filed for an extension, thankfully Congress passed the extension date, the president signed it, yet I still have no check as of today April 25th. What is the holdup? I called twice and they said keep filing my claim. I have to make a mortgage payment end of month and pay for health insurance required BY this state. I understand its retro but it doesn?t help me when I am not getting ANYTHING and I won?t be able to pay my mortgage without it. I have never been late on a mortgage payment!!! So angry right now?..

Ten days ago, we noted that a Change.org petition urging Congress to create a fifth tier of federal jobless benefits had received 11,000 electronic signatures. Well, today the letter surpassed 20,000 supporters. That makes it Change.org?s eighth most popular petition ever.

Does it really matter how many signitures this gets???? These criminals that lie and cheat their way into office don?t really care about a million or so voters. Just as long as the can count on american?s short term memory to get re-elected AGAIN? Promise us all sorts of things and later make excuses why we didn?t get even half of what they promised. 80% of these liars should be in jail with the other criminals. The only thing seperating these politicians from the drug dealers is the fact the drug dealers and other criminals don?t hide and lie to you about what they are..

On April 25, 2010 around 9:10 pm or so I posted a blog on here and it never showed up. I even did it again about an hour later that day. And again just about 10 mins ago I posted a blog it still hasn?t posted yet. I do understand you have to verify the links, email address and so. I know it was a bit long but it should take that long to post.

i live in fl.i have been unemployed since may,2008.i just received my last Unemployment check in the first week of april.yes! im a 99er.i never in my entire life ever once collected unemployment not even a week,ever! i was always able to find employment within a week.There is absolutely no jobs here.central fl unemployment is currently 15.5% this is insane.our government is to blame for outsourcing are jobs overseas & BOTH parties are responsible.Well,since i received my last check.someone told me to go to the ?Day labor? pool & that with your drivers license,SS card,you can register & work today,pay today..well i have been working a few days,but they dont even have steady work! WTF..is going on! i am working with professionals that are digging ditches just to eat & get by,but its not even 40 hours! What is worse is i could not even work today,because i do not have the gas money to get to work today.i wanted to work today,but could not make it.i literraly do not know what i am going to do.i barely have enough food here to last the end of the week.i only needed like $10 bucks to get me thru my next days of working.i have a paypal email account.If anyone would like to help,here is my email ?> leevipent2@yahoo.com go to paypal & see the ?Send money? link.I hate my life right now & i dont,nor do i want a huge sum of money?i would be happy right now,just for money for gas,or lunch?god bless anyone that reads this & pray for me please..

Lee?.I?m so sorry to hear how hard things are for you right now. I have also been laid off since May of 2008 and I know how you?re feeling. I wish I was able to help you however I?m in the same boat. I?m days away from losing the apartment I live in now?with no relief in sight. If we at least had some hope perhaps we could tell the landlords and they would let us stay longer. I just don?t know. Were all trying to survive here and as I?ve posted a couple weeks ago it just seems that nobody is listening. The worst part, many people feel that were lazy, uneducated bums. Crazy.

Why did I just call the EDD office and was told ?you know that you don?t have any more extension left? I said yeah but will I be able to apply in the future for one as I am going to try to get SDI for a surgery. She said I don?t think they will be having one but you can always try. how rude the hell!!!

On April 25, 2010 around 9:10 pm or so I posted a blog on here and it never showed up. I even did it again about an hour later that day. And again just about 10 mins ago I posted a blog it still hasn?t posted yet. I do understand you have to verify the links, email address and so. I know it was a bit long but it should take that long to post.

And not just a few weeks, a long one till jobs come back. Senator Harry Reid (SenatorReid) on Twitter News from the office of Nevada Senator Harry Reid. twitter.

Your posts are being screened by a 3rd party working for the government. Email addresses are being collected and researched for identification to pursue the anti-American and all who fall into the network of, no matter what their position. False claims and overall discrimination and comments of the American government are being collected by officials of those parties opposing those ?unfortunate? Americans to be used against the forward movements of the ?Continuation Act?and counteracting the system trying to be enforced by state reps. As good as you think you are all doing by uniting together as one??..it reflects just as badly, making YOU small percentage less of a priority.

The only posts that would not be published ? and that I need to approve ? are those that use profanity, are not related to the unemployment extension, or personally attack someone.

In response to Gov. character.. I?m sure a lot of people wouldn?t shed a tear for you if you were to lose your job and later your home. Just another one of the jokers that don?t have a clue what some of the un-employed people are dealing with right now. Sounds like this guy is or should be a civil servant or is one of the very lucky few who haven?t been affected by this disaster our wonderful elected politicians and their big bank pals have created.

My fellow phone callers and fax blasters: Join us in a Nelp campaign for a 5th Tier: April-May 2010.Leave messages daily and fax daily. Start Dialing: I told them millions of people would be calling them.

Did you get a letter from the state talking about get on other benefits? This is crazy do we need to march in the street or something?

?You can?t go on forever,? said Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.), whose panel oversees the benefits program. ?I think 99 weeks is sufficient.?

We all have our own personal stories but we are in this together. Those more privileged than us who have jobs, trust fund, or just come from wealthy families do not understand our situation. I?m sure there must be a few senators/governors out there that grew up in hard times but simply have forgotten what it?s like due to their high paying job and glorious benefit package. We need to ban together and get something done. I thought I was out of benefits yesterday when my last check came but read on the check stub ?you qualify for an extension. it has been filed for you. when filed please fill out your continued claim form.? I was shocked today when I got my continued claim form in the mail today. I lost my job in June 2008, it was my first and only job. I got the job just before I turned 18 and before I graduated high school. It was an administrative assistant job at a small company (just 2 workers including myself) I was severely underpaid getting 8.00 an hour when I was let go. I almost didn?t get any benefits because my employer tried to tell the EDD that I was fired and gave a list of bogus reasons as to why he fired me. Turns out when the EDD called me and interviewed me they said I?ll get my benefits because my boss let me go for unjust causes and couldn?t back up his false claims. I was very very lucky. I?m now 22 years old with just 1 job experience and still unemployed. I?ve applied to retail stores, a few fast food places, and jobs in my field but nothing. I?ve tried my best to find work but I?m apparently not qualified. My only option now is to try to relocate and go to school and hope I get financial aid. I live in CA in a highly populated area with a lot of unemployed people so looking for a job in my area is net to impossible. I think moving to northern CA is my best option. I just don?t know what else to do. I?m barely scraping by with 700.00 a month in unemployment? I live with family who are on social security. I pay utility bills and there isn?t enough money for food for the entire month. Being unemployed is not a choice, we do not choose to be without jobs and money to provide for ourselves and our family. For those who say we are lazy and do not look for work are so out of touch with reality. It?s tough out there and I feel for everyone who is unemployed. We need help and it seems like unemployed people do not matter but we need to let our voices and opinions be heard.

We understand your frustration and what you are going through. You are right everyone needs to ban together and get writing to senators, assembly and state gov. officials and anyone else they can get to do a story on this. We also need to march in our local and major cities together to city hall asking for jobs and letting the public know our stories and cause!

I wrote the whitehouse lastnight and selected message of support and sent it to http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/ and received an autoreply that gave some links. I called Democrat Baucus and a woman answered. I told her I was among the 100k people unemployed in California and due to the 5th tier not passed I can?t pay rent or my car insurance due to Congress not passing this bill. I send out my resume and don?t hear back from anyone. It?s not fair! She said that he would get the message of a concerned citizen. She made it so vague and I think if her job was in jeopardy she would make a clear and concise effort to relay my message verbatim. I get 950 a month and my rent is 900. As you can see I barely make it and really can?t go anywhere due to my budget if you can call it that in such a urgent manner. This one is live video what?s happening to Congress may be of use to some http://www.whitehouse.gov/live/ This one is the latest weekly address http://m.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/weekly-address/?page=1 The latest address has no explanation of unemployment issues my friends. Please write the Whitehouse a.s.a.p. because we need to let them know @ each one of us and our current circumstances. Thanks to the person on this site for Baucus phone number. I called the other one but no answer. I will try again tomorrow.

Honestly, I think everyone is coming to the realization that the long term are flat out screwed. When this much time has gone by without any significant word of the possibility of a Tier 5 that usually means it wont happen. Sorry to be negative but it?s how I feel. discouraged.

Keep in mind most of us don?t have internet anymore to write on here. Like me, I have to go to the Library or to Work Source One Stop and even they are cutting back on hours and days due to city/county/state budget cuts.

Where is NELP (National Employment Law Project). Why are they not helping us 99?ers. They are just sitting on their rear ends. They sold out the 99?ers. They are a useless organization in my opinion.

james_wallner@sessions.senate.gov, laura_friedel@shelby.senate.gov, john_richards@begich.senate.gov, edward_hild@murkowski.senate.gov, elizabeth_maier@kyl.senate.gov, rebecca_tallent@mccain.senate.gov, andy_york@pryor.senate.gov, jim_stowers@lincoln.senate.gov, sean_moore@boxer.senate.gov, john_watts@feinstein.senate.

There are free, online sites you can use to fax your resume. You can upload your resume or even cut-and-paste it into text boxes on the sites listed at joblessunite.yolasite.com/m-a-y-d-a-y.php.

Public Libraries and Workforce Centers typically have computers people can use. If all computers are in use, I am sure that, if you explain what you need to do, someone will give up their internet time for 45min. or so. Usually there are ?Limit 20 min.? computer stations which people should yield up. If you can?t get online, explain your situation and ask a librarian for help.

Unfortunately, any extension (or tier V) would come from a federal appropriation as have the previous extensions to your original claim. The matter of a lack of a tier V appropriation is best addressed by contacting the offices of Senators Feinstein or Boxer or the office of you member or the House of Representatives. Thank you again for contacting Senator.

HuffPost readers: If you prematurely lost or expect to lose access to Emergency Unemployment Compensation because of the lapse, tell us about it ? email arthur@huffingtonpost.com.

After going to his website and watching his videos on the ?Free Gas Card? I was completely stunned. While I was on the phone with him I did some Goggle searching myself and found only one article from N.Y. state that monies where allocated to the the towns for not only Gas Cards but Tool Belts, Car Repair, Clothes for an interview. Apparently the U.S. Department of Labor distributed these funds to the states and then the states handed the funds over to Work Force Centers.

This program is called Supportive Services. John had told me that when you go into your local Work Force Center you must specifically ask for this program and exactly what you need ie. ? I would like to be part of Supportive Services and receive my Free Gas Card so I can go to my interview?. Below I will paste his email he sent to me with more information about these services.

Tomorrow I plan on going to my local workforce center and going to ask for there supportive services for a free gas card. I will let you know what happens.

Like everyone else we see things that come across this site all the time. After watching his videos and speaking to him directly I?m completely astonished that D.O.L. never publicized this for us.

Here is the link to annual Workforce Investment Act funding: http://www.doleta.gov/BUDGET/statfund.cfm. There are three programs under WIA: Youth, Adult, and Dislocated Worker. You might want to run a quick search on the WIA itself to see how supportive services is described for each program. Copies of the law are widely available online.

Also, here is DOL guidance on the use of funds: http://wdr.doleta.gov/directives/corr_doc.cfm?DOCN=2728. Again, open up the document and run a search on ?supportive services? to find the relevant information.

My opinion of the I-Guy is that he is a honest man doing his best to help the unemployed and disclose government programs that we don?t know about.

?MSNBC wants to hear from those who have been unemployed for more than a year?please tell your story at this link:http://www.msnbc.msn.

Please tell them you plea for a TIER 5?.this is a great opportunity for the Main Stream Media attention we have been praying for!!!?

I am a Unemployment Compensation worker and at the moment there is no information regarding tier 5. What actually happening is that the congress authorized the Agency for Workforce Innovation to continue paying weeks for unemployment under a program called Extended Benefits? Congress sent the info to the Governor Chris but had not been established and at this moment we are just waiting for the Governor to approve EB. If anything all possible candidates for EB will receive notification via mail or can access floridajobs.org to file for EB once the system updates the information. This unfortunately does not apply who already received EB and exhausted before tier3 came out? This only applies to whom still have EB balance available of they never received EB before.

Regarding the deadlines for the tiers? If you are on Reg Benefits it needs to be exhausted by the week ending MAY 22? Meaning that when you claim weeks the last payable week has to be may 22? In order to receive tier1 automatically? If you are on tier 2 or 3 the last payable week has to be the week ending MAY 29? If that are the situation automatically you will be rollover to the next level of benefits? If you don?

http://www.examiner.com/x-45498-San-Diego-Unemployment-Examiner~y2010m5d9-Capitol-Hill-responds-to-massive-campaign-for-more-weeks-of-jobless-benefits?

I was asked a question regarding filing a new claim in California. With the new deadline of May 23, 2010..if a person files a claim after that date, are they entitled to any extensions. Going forward is UI benefits going back to 26wks w/ out any Federal Ext?

Included in the bill is a proposed tax hike on fund manager pay that would raise about $20 billion over 10 years. Levin said House lawmakers have agreed to a change pushed by the Senate to gradually phase-in that tax increase.

Levin also said that $130 billion of the $180 bill would be paid for by closing tax loopholes. About $50 billion of the bill?s cost would be added to the deficit as Democrats exempted unemployment benefits and a provision to block a cut in Medicare payments to doctors from its pay-as-you-go rules.

It?s unclear when the bill will be taken up by the Senate, which is currently working on a lengthy process to pass financial reform.

If the democrats try to pass any more extensions without finding a way to pay for them, they simply aren?t going to pass. I don?t believe that all of the democrat senators would vote for it not to mention the republicans.

Is it time for welfare? I never expected the 5th tier extension to happen, and it definitely doesn?t look like it?s going to happen. Is anyone here on welfare (assuming we?re qualified) after exhausting all benefits? I?m seeing the last of my dollars fade away with no job prospects in sight.

I?d like to clarify why comments end up automatically in the spam folder and/or are deleted. Comments which contain profanity, which insult other site visitors, or the government, or which are not related to the unemployment extension will not be published.

They take time away from the legitimate comments and from the concerns and focus on unemployment and the extensions we so desperately need.

I don?t know what to do about all of this. When the is money out there to help us but its going to other places and rep/dem don?t seem to care. I guess I will just have to vote for the lesser of two evils. This is really sad how we are being abandoned time to march in the streets!

If you?re referring to the article from ?(2958) Tom in Fla says:?, you should read on till the end. It makes specific mentions about the 99ers and how we need more benefits. The article presents a mild consensus that 99ers may indeed get the extra weeks needed, possibly by the June recess (depending, of course).

Couple that with the media?s attention on the issue as well as Senator Sanders? stern defense in our favor, the chances are at least decent. Contrast this with where we were a month ago and things look pretty good all of a sudden.

I have been unemployed since Oct 2008 and there has been no way possible for me to be able to afford the subsidized COBRA plan. Both I and my wife have been wilthout coverage since then. The only thing that kept us from going completly under and losing everything that we have worked for, 26 years, is my unemployment tier extensions.So I completely agree, the COBRA subsidy is a waste of our tax payers money, and would be to everyones advantage to add another tier. After all in reality, what is going to happen when most of us lose everything? The last resort for survival will be social services. So is it bettter to maintian a family with unemployment or social services? The answer to that is quite easy to see! Better to maintian a famliy intact than to add a bigger and (longer) burden to our economy!

I have been unemployed Oct 2008 and there has been no way possible for me to be able to afford the subsidized COBRA plan. Both I and my wife have been wilthout covereage since then. The only thing that kept us from going completly under and losing everything that we have worked for, 26 years, is my unemployment tier extensions.So I completely agree, the COBRA subsidy is a waste of our tax payers money, and would be to everyones advantage to add another tier. After all in reality, what is going to happen when most of us lose everything? The last resort for survival will be social services. So is it bettter to maintian a family with unemployment or social services? The answer to that is quite easy to see! Better to maintian a famliy intact than to add a bigger and ( longer) burden to our economy!

Well, it does not seem our government is in no rush to help us.It has been two months for me with no income, maybe they will pass Tier 5 before their holiday break.Everyone please hang in there,I really think something will happen soon.

God, I was hoping that things would change for so many by now. Like so many of you, I?m a 99er now. I was laid off all the way back in December 2007, just seeing that in print makes me cringe, it was 12/27/07 to be exact, two days after Xmas. I didn?t apply for unemployment right away, hence the reason that it just finally ran out for me, because I really thought that I would find something right away, six months later, still no job so I had to apply. I?m a single Mother with three children, I have never been on welfare, have always worked and taken care of my family and now I?m finding that I not only have to swallow my pride, but I have to stand in line after line and then be talked to like a second class citizen by social workers just so I can get $105 a month in food stamps to feed my family. I?ve been having anxiety attacks for the past few months and with June?s rent creeping up, and no $ in the bank or in my wallet, I?m just not sure what to do! I?ve already kicked my kids out of their room, have them living in my bedroom with me and rented their room out, had to? Welfare is an option I guess, since I do have children, but that?s only $700 a month and we live in Orange County, not even in the best part, and our living expenses are still insane? I don?t want any handouts, I just want a job that will pay enough for me to be able to go to it, pay my childcare, feed my kids and keep a roof over our heads.. any ideas?

Venting is good, we are here listening.I told my story months ago, it seems we are all in the same boat without a paddle. I t is sad but true are government is in no rush to help The 99ers, we paid our dues, we worked our a? off and now we need our government(which is not stopping jobs from leaving our shores) to step up and help and put an end to our cry for help!!!

We need to continue to write for a Tier 5 and to tell them our stories and to add in current facts and figures so that they know. 2.4 million people are jobless does that number even include us 99ers? I doubt it and then they need to be reminded how us unemployed job seekers are effecting the econ by not being able to buy things and pay our rents and how we cant get help from other programs as well. COBRA does not work for us it just takes our money are resources. It doesn?t fix the problem that we need jobs!

I am totally confused as the last thing that happened in April did nothing for me yet extended someone I know. In NY, we were skipped into tiers and not given the full 99. According to their benefit calculator, I am being told I have 73 weeks not 99 which are set to expire at the end of June. Will this extend me to 99 weeks or not?

Same boat as comment above. In NY it seems that not all are getting the 99. Is this the case? I started in mid Jan 09 and it looks like I have 5 weeks left according to my balance. I am sick of being home but also terrified of running out.

Pam, It?s not the President that opposes us receiving unemployment benefits. It?s the GOP that keeps putting a wrench in things. Do a google search to learn about the GOP. I understand what your going through as many others are who are in our same situation. I?ve been out of work for 2 ? 1/2 years.

I just got my first claim form on fed-ed (last) extension and on question 3 for the first time so far the box has an x indicating complete back. Any info in regards to filling out work search is appreciated. For example is 3 job searches per week enough? Is sending out resumes online ok? What about person contacted? What about results? Maybe resume submitted. Any help is appreciated. Thanks!!

Hi Mike?I collected Fed-Ed from California and its Yes to everything you said. 3 per week is required.? Resume sent? is acceptable. No Call Back or something to that effect is ok for results. It has been awhile since I received it but as far as I know nothing has changed. I am a 99?er hoping for one more extension, but I strongly believe that won?t happen. Good Luck to you!

Here?s a great link to all senators contact info. Best on the web. Its easy. Just go down the list and contact the senator of your choice. If no long distance: 1-866-220-0044.

I guess this means that all of you 99ers will be forced to go out and get a job. I reside in one of the hardest hit states in this country, I have no college background, yet I managed to find a job. I find it hard to believe that you all can?t find work. Start looking harder, stop blaming all of your problems on everyone else. If you have to work at McDonalds until something better comes along, DO IT. Dems and repubs alike Do not want to add to the deficit anymore than they already have become of the lazy, gimme gimme deadbeats that are collecting and not doing a darn thing to get out of their situation.

I would not be the least bit surprised that when there are absolutely no more extensions or handouts for the 99ers, that most of you will go out and get jobs. You will have no choice but to get out there and work harder to find work!

2991 IF YOU CAN?T SUPPLY ME WITH A JOB?SHUT UP. IT?S GOOD PEOPLE?S SURVIVAL WE HERE ARE TALKING ABOUT.YOU MUST WORK FOR SOME LEVAL OF GOVERNMENT.WOULD YOU PAY FOR THE EGG SANDWICH I EAT FOR BREAKFAST,LUNCH,DINNER?NOT TO PUT YOU OUT BUT I DO NEED INSULIN ALSO.LIFE IS THOUGH BUT,DON?T RUB MY NOSE IN IT. get the picture 30YEARS OPERATING ENGINNEER NO WORK OR HELP.GET THE PICTURE.

by, ?the lazy, gimme gimme deadbeats that are collecting and not doing a darn thing to get out of their situation?, are you referring to Wall Street, AIG or, perhaps Greeks or Haitians?

We need Tier 5 today. If your on another Tier we still need all of your help. Everybody who comes on this blog/board needs to pitch in and do their part. Trust me, if your on another Tier this will benefit you also in the long run when you run out of your current Tier that you are on.

2991, you are unbelievable, why are you on this site, you obvious have a job, don?t you have anything better to do, then spread negativity, better worry about your own job and work hard to keep it, if you can, because it may not be there for you in the near future, the way things are going, and you might very well find your self in the same situation, so don?t throw stones, oh and you think Macdonalds is enough to pay the rent and utilities, food, expenses, along with families with kids etc. you are living in la la land, wake up and smell the coffee, we deserve to find a decent paying full time job with benefits like the one we lost through no fault of our own. We have to make rent or mortgage, believe me its not making us rich or giving us benefits, like 401k or dental, we want work, while we continue to look for work, we need this support, not negativity, we feel bad as it is that we haven?t found anything yet, until we find a job, we need support, many people are looking for work, they should post the real unemployment rate on the news, many have already dropped from radar and have exhausted all benefits, and looking hard for work, but are not included in this rate and should be. please keep this site to the unemployed with news of extensions only and added weeks, this is our life line. Bring back the jobs!!!!!!

At my last job I was a Mechanical CAD designer contractor (engineering design/drafter). They were happy with me and wanted me to go ?direct?. But, they could not hire me due to the parent companies hiring freeze. When the parent company got wind of the economic downturn they laid off all the contractors in my division. At that time I was the only one let go where I worked?.however 40 other contractors down the road at another company (owned again by the parent conglomerate) were also tossed out. They had work for me and were happy with me and ?poof? it was all over.

I?m here to tell you that I have been looking for a job since then with no luck. I have a Bachelor of Science degree and my phone does not ring. I have 20 years of CAD experience.

WE have $ for aid overseas. WE have $ to subsidize oil companies. WE have $ to fight 2 strange wars. Do WE have $ to take on Pakistan war and N Korea war also ????? Why don?t WE have $ for our own unemployed without a fight??? End the wars and give the savings to the unemployed, job training ect?.Oh yeah and plenty of $ to bail out big banks.

Unemployment benefits?.its a ?no brainer?. What do they say ?.for every $ you give the unemployed it stimulates $1.61 in economic activity.

But, if she is correct, there will not be a Tier V at least until the end of November. She hints at them looking at the situation again at that time to make a determination, but clearly states nothing will happen until then.

Unless she?s just blowing smoke up everyone backsides, if you?ve exhausted all benefits you?re basically screwed unless you can somehow hold out till the end of Nov. And even then there is no guarantee a Tier V will materialize.

I do not understand how the government is saying they are helping the unemployed, but are ignoring the long term unemployed?we are the ones that need it the most?we have gone through most of our savings, can?t pay our bills, are selling everything we own that is not nailed down, and are trying to sell our house if we still have one before the bank takes it?Now that the government has turned their back on us, what is going to happen to us?!?!?!?!?!

I wonder when Congress is going to wake up and grant a Tier 5 for the 99?ers?? They spent somewhere around $987 BILLION dollars on the war and they are worried about another 10 million to help out the hard working Americans of this great country. Several thousand of people are running out of their benefits each week! There?s somewhere around 120,000 people already unemployed?I?ve applied for countless jobs from IT to min wage jobs and still no luck!! It?s sad to think what will happen a couple months down the road if they don?t pass a 5th tier?.stay focused and positive and pray they do!! Good luck everyone!!

We?re on the same team, Dan, but those numbers seem to be way off. You may be thinking of your county or something. The number of total unemployed persons has reached over 15 million, with the rate at 9.9% as of April. Another 10 million wouldn?t help many. At the end of March there were 2.7 million job openings. That?s more than 5 unemployed workers per job.

I?m curious to know what people think the number weeks a tier 5 would have? I mean what is your guess (provided they created it at all)? I look at tiers 1 through 4 and see 20, 14, 13, 6. It seems like given that progression that I wouldn?t expect it to be more then 4 weeks. Would 4 weeks really change people?s situation?

The world is really a mystery to me. To others it seems so cut and dry, but frankly I just wonder how the world works at all. Like in the depression did great numbers of people die of starvation? You hear of hunger, but starvation? But the government did less for them back then, then it does today (and is blamed at the same time for not doing enough, and not holding down the debt). How did people survive?

I hear over and over that they spent billions on the war, so they can spend on unemployment. But the truth is that it was a war the really ended the depression? And aren?t there a lot of people being employed in the military? Not mention all the companies that support it? I can at least see some of that money spent on somethings that are useful (even if you think the war itself isn?t).

I don?t see as much mentioning the fact that much more was given to banks, just so they don?t have to pay for their mistakes. And for the auto industry, which did keep some jobs, but also off loaded huge amounts of debt on the tax payer, in the form of bankruptcy, having the tax payer own the companies, and by raising the debt so that people are given tax incentives, to buy cars and homes, helping the same people that took risks they now don?t want to pay.

im new to the unemployment and have been receiving it since late feb 2010. i see comments on long terms of receiving and i was wondering how is that possible seeing that the set amount of benefits they are giving me is about to run out. How do you go about receiving more?

Normally the max you could get would be 26 weeks. But because of the recession/high unemployment the Congress has authorized more money for unemployment, which came in different bills creating ?tiers?. You can?t apply for the first tier until your 26 weeks are exhausted. You can?t apply for tier 2 until tier 1 is exhausted, and on and on up to the max 4 tiers (some states don?t have a tier 4, also some states have a ED/FED-ED programs that kicks in when everything is exhausted) The original cut off date for applying for one of the tiers was December 2009, but that has been extended several times, and is currently June 2 (which of course means it is basically past). But there is a bill in Congress to extend the cut off date till the end of November, but Congress will not be back from vacation until June 7, to take it up again (It has been discussed quite a bit because of its cost).

For your information the talk about tier 5 and ?99?ers? is that people that have got the max possible have received 99 weeks of unemployment (no on everyone is guarantee to get this). And they are asking for more tiers/weeks, and looking at the discussions in Congress it looks unlikely at this point for Congress to pass such a bill.

Alison I don?t know if you follow all these posts any more, but there are so many posts on this page that both IE and Firefox are consuming huge amount of computer resourses just to display them.

I really want to track the useful information you post at the top of the page, but I might have to stop coming to this page if the posts are not kept under control. These posts actually seem like they should be in the Forum, or at least only keeping say the last 6 months or something.

If you?re in New York City, running out of benefits, and are interested in interviewing for a TV program on unemployment please email me: jobsearch.guide@about.

Don?t forget to vote in your state and let them know how you feel. Also keep writing and we need to take a day and march in our states to let them know we want jobs and need help!

and what about the towns that have employers hiring like crazy, yet no one is applying to work for them?? Sorry 99ers, but you are getting lazy! Do you follow up on every single resume you send out? do you call the employer and ask to speak to a manager or hr to see if they will interview you? Are you going to every single business in your town and the surrounding towns, speaking to the managers and owners about possible work? Are ya?ll just applying for jobs exactly like the one you lost or are you will to set your pride aside and take a lower paying job?

if you can say yes to all of this than good for you, but if not STEP THE F@#K UP and take what you can get. Stop sitting around in Starbucks sipping coffee and playing whoa is me to anyone that will listen. Get off your butts and start looking for work instead of thinking sending a resume online is gonna get the job. Sell all of your tvs that are in every room of your house, your fancy cars and your ipods.

Back in the day people got by on a lot less and they made it through worse times than these. Take control of your life cause the government cant bail you out forever. Never witnessed so much laziness in my 50+ years.

ORLANDO, Fla. ? Job hunters are facing a new trend: businesses asking recruitment companies to keep unemployed people out of their job pools.

Peter May, of Atlanta, said he was hoping Orlando-based recruiter ?The People Place? would help him find a job with Sony Ericsson. The company is moving its headquarters to Buckhead, which is located outside Atlanta.

May said he was mortified when he read the message on the website. In all caps, and bold type, it said, ?No unemployed candidates will be considered at all.?

?To just totally leave those people out of the mix, it?s stupefying. I just can?t understand it at all. ?To be honest with you, it kind of angered me. You know, I?m a good enough guy,? May said on Monday.

Sony Ericcson is supposed to bring 180 jobs to Buckhead, and was lured there with the prospect of a $4 million in state tax credits. But May said if the company is refusing to hire the unemployed, that deal should be rescinded.

During a phone conversation with Atlanta station WXIA, Howard Lawson, of ?The People Place,? refused to discuss the Sony Ericsson listing specifically, but he did say that he has seen a trend of employers looking to hire employed applicants.

Recruitment experts say many companies are opting out of so-called passive job seekers for a number of reasons. First, it could take longer to get them up to speed in professions that require constant training. They also say people who have not been laid off are believed to be the best in the fields, therefore more valuable. ?

Nancy P. should be voted out?go to change.org and sign the petition?Here?s a comment from reader regarding her latest statement denying a tier V.

Not only did she cut the 99ers off, but she LAUGHED and made a joke about the emails that had been sent to her. I am so glad she can find such humor of the MILLIONS of unemployed Americans who are suffering right now. She was totally disrespectful & had such great pleasure standing in front of the world like that with her BOLD FACE LIES!

We need Tier 5 today. If your on another Tier we still need all of your help. Everybody who comes on this blog/board needs to pitch in and do their part. Trust me, if your on another Tier this will benefit you also in the long run when you run out of your current Tier that you are on.

In NJ, our new Governor refuses to reinstate a expired tax on people earning over 400,00 and wants to cut unemployement benefits by 50.00 per week and delay unemployemnt eligibility for collecting benefits by one week??..while at the same time they continue providing charity to Very Wealthy Senior Homeowners in their NJ Senior Property Tax Freeze Program, that allows Seniors with incomes up to 80,000 to freeze their taxes forever. This bad progarm has no asset test and allows senior homeowners with millions of dollars in stocks, bonds, cash, home equity to qualify for this charity, as needy and pass their property tax freezes onto the backs of much poorer non-seniors. I have even seen a senior couple that own 5 homes qualify for the NJ PTR progarm. On top of this, the senior homeowners qualify for property tax rebates as long as their income is under 150,000. So, our NJ Politicians have no problem throwing charity to wealthy seniors, but draw the line when it comes to our Unemployed! What a State!

Just to be fair, those Seniors could get a much better property tax deal if they left Jersey all together and moved to Florida. IMO any incentive to keep them there is better for New Jersey than if they left all together. If you simply heap taxes on property owners they will ultimately move somewhere else where taxes are more reasonable. NY, NJ and Ca have suffered a significant population drain and the associated issues that it causes because of their high tax rates.

Just to be fair, I know many Wealthy Seniors receiving up to 65 % in total property tax rebates in NJ and many of them have been spending it FL every winter for the last ten years. They are spending the money in FL, Not NJ, as young working families would and young families spending it in NJ would stimulate and create jobs in NJ. I am fully in favor of NJ creating charity programs, as long as they include asset test to prevent Rich people, based on age, from getting state charity at the expense of poorer citizens, based on age. When our NJ Governor trys to decrease unemployment benefits of struggling poor non-seniors, many with little or no home equity, trying to pay for health care, food, school tuition/loans for their kids and maybe for themselves, credit card debt, car loans, etc., while he cuts taxes for rich working people and rich senior home owners. It is time we stop Trenton?s bad PTR and Property Tax Rebate Programs, taking from the younger poor to give to the richer seniors!

Well NJ- I hope they all dont get mad and move away, then the state will really be hosed. There are a lot of municipalities up there that need those residential homesteads paying their taxes (instead of empty houses) . Raising taxes on them is NOT going to incentivize them to stay. The answer is to make the state more friendly to the property owner. Taxes arent the main problem here. The state/education employees that wont accept a 1% reduction in their benefits is where the problem originates. The tax payers have had enough of this. No taxpayers = no benny?s for anybody.

We need Tier 5 today. If your on another Tier we still need all of your help. Everybody who comes on this blog/board needs to pitch in and do their part. Trust me, if your on another Tier this will benefit you also in the long run when you run out of your current Tier that you are on.

PLEASE READ THE ENTIRETY OF THE LINK BELOW AND THEN, USING THE INSTRUCTIONS, SEND THE HOUSE WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE YOUR PERSONAL STORY OF YOUR STRUGGLE AS A LONG-TERM UNEMPLOYED AMERICAN! WHETHER YOU HAVE EXHAUSTED ALL YOUR BENEFITS OR NOT?DO THIS! THIS IS IMPORTANT!! LET?S DO THIS!

According to the site: ?Congressman Jim McDermott (D-WA), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support of the Committee on Ways and Means, today announced that the Subcommittee will hold a hearing on possible policy responses to long-term unemployment. In view of the limited time available to hear witnesses, oral testimony at this hearing will be from invited witnesses only. However, any individual or organization not scheduled to appear may submit a written statement for consideration by the Subcommittee and for inclusion in the record of the hearing.?

Remember, it seems that if Congress is going to go for a Tier V, they will have to first extend current EUC tiers to EOY or November before Tier V comes into consideration. Remember that to include both in your statement in order to cover all bases.

You can also send in comments for those people who don?t have access to computers, if they give your permission. Groups and organizations may send in statements as well.

Don?t give up continue to write we can move things along we have done it before and we can do it again! Even if we need to march in the street!

I am an American citizen who has two degrees that are still useful in finding a job today, who has been long-term unemployed since 2007 after being laid off of my job through no fault of my own. I am very disappointed in you for acting like those who are unemployed just want to remain that way. Are you aware that we have been looking for jobs everyday and even those that are $7.00/hr and have been told we are too qualified, the position is closed, and that you do not qualify for the position even when we have done the exact same job for years? And my two most new favorite are being long-term unemployed and age discrimination. How dare you and the rest of congress sit there, while you have income coming in, act like we can make it till November with no income or resources. We are not making it now and some of us can?t even, after swallowing our pride, qualify for GA/or General Relief. How many families have you helped to become homeless since April 2010? Do these families need to camp out on your door steps before you do something? People want to work and there are not enough jobs for the demand. You are giving Billions of dollars to wars without worrying about our children?s future or our ability to pay for them and taxes cuts to yourselves and the rich, so why not start worries about them not having a future now? We need help and the longer you spend debating this crisis the more the crime rates, suicides and other horrible crimes and event will increase. You have an opportunity to do something for the American people and you are so busy fighting along party lines that you have forgotten the most important thing. The ?We the people? instead of ?We the party?! We don?t want a Tier V we need a Tier V due to the economy, things that are happening to our country, unfair NAFTA trade treaties, illegal immigrants being hired for lower wage jobs and just to be able to pay our rents, stop being homeless and to survive day by day until we can find a $7.00/hr job. So I say unto you ?We the people? need our Congressional elected officials to do want we elected them to do HELP US!

End the discussion and pass the Tier V for all hardworking Americans who just want to get back to work! You have given so much money overseas without our permission and you won?t even help your own people?

If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck??..Sounds like more Voodoo Trickle Down Economics! Rob from the unemployed and millions of NJ struggling moderate to low income and unemployed families to provide lower income and property taxes to New Jersey?s very wealthy senior homeowners and people earning over 400,000. What?s nest, to compete with FL, TX, MD, we eliminate all taxes on the wealthy in NJ, so we can be honored that they would allow us to pay them to live here? Sorry, but NJ Politicians creating bad programs, mainly to persuade senior homeowners to vote for them, by bestowing huge tax cuts on wealthy citizens, of all ages is! If Trenton Politicians are so concern about helping the poor and needy seniors, all you need do is look at the table scraps they are providing our Poor seniors that rent apartments and do not have millons of dollars in NJ, FL and other state homes, huge investment accounts, stocks, bonds, cash, and luxury cars. Providing Charity to rich NJ citizens, atb the expense of our poorer citizens is a disgrace. Transfering their income taxes and property tax increases on working and unemployed NJ citizens, is making young people leave NJ and with them so goes our jobs! NJ does not have a 60 billion tourist industry as in Florida, ours being about 6 billion, so we can?t depend on Europeans and wealthy out of state retirees to bring money to NJ. We need to support the working class people in NJ, including the hundreds of thousands of public workers, making 25-50,000 a year, public workers that did not create this financial meltdown and NJ budget crisis. It was caused by deregulation of banks, outsourcing of millions of American jobs, allowing millions of skilled and unskilled legal and illegal workers into America and don?t forget how Politicians misused dedicated/earmarked trust funds, such as Unemployment/Disabilty, Transportation, to name two and deliberately withheld pension fund contributions for over a decade and loss millions in the first stock market bubble. It is wrong and destructive to rob money from struggling moderate to low income familes to pay wealthy people to live in NJ! If they want to leave, leave, we cannot continue on this path until our working class are all forced to leave. Bringing in new working families that will increase consumer spending and create new jobs, more then seniors living in NJ 8 months a year?..just count the growing number Florida plates in NJ, paying lower Auto insurance in FL, Not NJ, again robbing our NJ economy. Let?s get rid of bad tax programs for the rich and create programs that only help the needy people that live, work and consume in NJ 12 months a year.

I hope you dont lose it and accost the next blue-haired geezer (representing the evil rich people) that you see walking to the hardware store in NJ.

I think if you were a taxpayer and you understood that many Public employees in NJ get pensions for life while retiring in their 50s with full wages and no deductible health plans, you might think they are the ?rich? people squandering all of the public money.

Congressman Jim McDermott (D-WA), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support of the Committee on Ways and Means, today announced that the Subcommittee will hold a hearing on possible policy responses to long-term unemployment.?

Of course they complain, they dont want to have to go out and get a job. there are people who are getting cut off from benefits when they?ve had them for a very short period of time. How is that fair? Why should the 99ers get more benefits when everyone else hardly get any help at all?

We all are in this boat together, it is not matter of who gets more and who gets less. If they could have means to get through they wouldn?t be too much concern about extention or tier5. Unfortunately, the longer they were unemployed, the hard it is get a job. Also, you get what you put into the system, it is not matter of how many people get. It makes very difficult for us to get any extention with media and some congressman thinks we could get a job but just being lazy, and how can you who are unemployed thinks to tell us to get a job and don?t be lazy! How dare you!!! What do you think we do daily basis?? Just sit around and waiting for the checks coming in? Think about how it must be difficult for those who without benefit to get through each days. You and some of late unemployed are lucky to be honest, without those 99ers, you probably wouldn?t have extension to applied to!

Your problem could be that you can?t spell or form complete sentences! I shudder to think of what your resume looks like. Your post is garbled and difficult to understand. I had to go over it twice to make sense of it. The local unemployment office probably offers free courses for futhering adult education, and you could benefit from it greatly.

I know for a fact that it is laziness because I see it everyday. It might not be all unemployed people, but it?s enough to make the powers that be start to question the validity of more extensions. I know plenty of people that are sitting around all day and collecting WITHOUT actually trying to find work. It?s everywhere you look, and the system is starting to realize this. You may have lost your job through no fault of your own, but that does not give you the right to sit back and mooch off the government. Ask yourself, where does it end? How long are you going to sit around taking benefits instead of getting a job? Work at freaking McDonalds if you have to for crying out loud!

This nation as stated by someone above, is a nation of whiners and quite frankly, spoiled rotten adults. No one wants to actually WORK anymore, and everyone thinks they are entitled to freebies.

You watch, the minute there is no money to go around, people will have no choice but to take any job they can get. I wish the government did a better job of monitoring each and every unemployed person?s job searches, but unfortunately they don?t have the money to do so. It would weed out all of the lazy people scamming the system.

Shouldn?t you be looking for a job and NOT wasting your time on this board. It seems that you have nothing better to do with your time than come on this board and bad mouth people.

How many resumes, email, in person, faxes and telephone calls have you made today and everyday since from day one you been unemployed. I bet ZERO.