Posted on 07/09/2011 12:53:50 PM PDT by 2ndDivisionVet
SEWELL, New Jersey-Mary Kay Coyne has just filed what she says is her 1,862nd job application since being thrown out of work three years ago.
She is one of millions of Americans whose unemployment benefits have expired -- after 99 weeks in many states -- as the United States suffers its highest level of long-term unemployment since 1948.
Coyne had to move in with a friend after benefit payments ran out last year. Now she gets by on Medicaid -- U.S. health insurance for the poor -- and food stamps, contributing what little she can to her friend's household costs.
"You're 56-years old and you feel like you are sitting on a big pile of nothing," said Coyne, who spends about four hours a day sending out resumes.
"For the better part of a year, I have something sitting on my chest. It's not a medical condition. It is that pressure of 'Is this going to end, when is this going to end?'"
Unlike in much of Europe, the safety net of the U.S. welfare system times out for the long-term unemployed. The federal government and many states have provided extra help for those caught up in the worst labor market in decades but the U.S. debt crisis rules out further extension of the programs.
Coyne is typical of many middle-class Americans now struggling to get by.
She used to earn $70,000 a year as an administrative assistant until her firm began to downsize and left Coyne among the growing number of Americans struggling to live on unemployment benefits, and eventually on minimal food aid.
Now Washington is considering cuts to social welfare programs to shrink a swelling budget deficit.....
(Excerpt) Read more at finance.yahoo.com ...
Mine benefits expired 6 months after filing.
She's in New Jersey. It's a high cost-of-living state.
Betcha Ms. Coyne voted for the people who did this to her too.
Sorta hard to get upset about her. She could always move, but flexibility isn't part of her skill set apparently.
That's the equivalent of $35,000 in Ohio.
I’m sorry, but there are always jobs for secretaries and office workers if you want them. Probably not 70K, but they are there. She must have had other issues if she can’t get a job as a secretary now, unless she’s only trying for 70K+.
This economy is affecting everyone. I can't imagine being out of work for so long. But even people who have jobs are feeling the squeeze. Not to mention the inflation.
$100 says that she is a Dick.
Just kidding BOR...
The Dallas/Ft. Worth area has plenty of jobs, most at decent wages and a low cost of living (especially real estate) which is why we’re trying to move back there ASAP. You can’t buy a good job here.
Oh, that’s interesting!
The Phoenix area was a bit harder hit, but I still see good, private jobs up there in the software field (70+ even with smaller companies). And where they need software developers, web designers, graphic artists, tech writers, testers, they have a need for office/admin staff.
Tucson’s always been a low-wage, service town, so in a way, I would say, it’s a bit more recession-proof. Houses are back to more normal prices too, the way they were 12-15 years ago.
It takes a lot of money to relocate across country. I’m pretty sure though anyone sending out 1,600 applications is willing to move.
Nothing but sincere sympathy. Good luck!
A medium-sized U-Haul truck is a lot cheaper than starving to death.
And I bet the little wretched fool voted for hopenchange last time around!
“...She must have had other issues if she can’t get a job as a secretary now,.....”
Look at her age ....56 yo, and over 2 years unemployed is a killer in todays ecomomy......
Yeah, the age thing is definitely no fun.... There’s tons of the age discrimination in play now and always :((
Funny thing, these types of stories came out decades ago to support the need for more welfare. If you can’t find a job in 99 weeks you are obviously doing everything wrong, just like those welfare recipients in the 1960s and 1970s and 1980s and 1990s and the 21st century that can’t seem to find a job.
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