Benefits Ending for One Million Unemployed

New York Times ^ | December 27, 2013 | ANNIE LOWREY

[reaganaut1]

WASHINGTON — An emergency federal program that acts as a lifeline for 1.3 million jobless workers will end on Saturday, drastically curtailing government support for the long-term unemployed and setting the stage for a major political fight in the new year.

The program, in place since the recession started in 2008, provides up to 47 weeks of supplemental unemployment insurance payments to jobless people looking for work. Its expiration is expected to have far-reaching ramifications for the economy, cutting job growth by about 300,000 positions next year and pushing hundreds of thousands of households below the poverty line.

An extension of the unemployment program did not make it into the two-year budget deal that was passed just before Congress left on its winter recess. When the federal program expires, just one in four unemployed Americans will receive jobless benefits — the smallest proportion in half a century.

...

Republican aides said they remained willing to negotiate. “Why didn’t they offer a plan that met the speaker’s requirements — fiscally responsible, with something to create jobs — or any plan, for that matter, before they left for the holidays?” asked Michael Steel, a spokesman for John A. Boehner of Ohio, the speaker of the House.

Some Democrats have suggested that continuing the program for three months, with the estimated $6 billion in spending offsets coming from agricultural subsidies in the farm bill.

But some conservatives have shown stauncher opposition.

“I do support unemployment benefits for the 26 weeks that they’re paid for,” said Senator Rand Paul of Kentucky on Fox News. “If you extend it beyond that, you do a disservice to these workers. When you allow people to be on unemployment insurance for 99 weeks, you’re causing them to become part of this perpetual unemployed group in our economy.”

[reaganaut1]

I don't think unemployment benefits should last longer than 6 months. If someone has not found a job in that time, they need to lower their sights and/or be willing to move to an area with more job openings.

[John Valentine]

Its expiration is expected to have far-reaching ramifications for the economy, cutting job growth by about 300,000 positions next year...

Only a true libtard could read this without laughing out loud. Cutting unemployment benefits will SPUR job growth as the sit-at-home benefit recipients will be forced to get up, go out and actually start working again.

Albeit at a lower pay scale than they would likely wish.

[Sgt_Schultze]

The net effect will be that 1 million people will no longer be considered unemployed and will be dropped from the pool of those seeking work. The official unemployment rate will drop. Leftist will cheer.

[Red in Blue PA]

they need to lower their sights and/or be willing to move to an area with more job openings.

Love to hear this type of advice from people who have not even walked a step in the shoes of the unemployed in THIS job market.

For some jobs, there have been several hundred applicants and more per opening. Watch the JOLT report for an aggregate number. Saying "just move" sounds nice, but moving cross country costs many thousands of dollars and is not good advice in a piss poor job market. Who is to say the new job they land out there will not simply evaporate? Then all that money spent moving is for not.

I do not wish ill on people but I do wish many who do not see things as they are will be put in that situation someday.

[Venturer]

I would bet that 2 months after the unemployment benefits end 50% of those people have some kind of jobs.

[DoodleDawg]

“Why didn’t they offer a plan that met the speaker’s requirements — fiscally responsible, with something to create jobs — or any plan, for that matter, before they left for the holidays?” asked Michael Steel, a spokesman for John A. Boehner of Ohio, the speaker of the House.

Why didn't the Speaker preempt them by offering one of his own?

[rktman]

Just think, this coming weeks jobs report will show a net gain of 1 million employed since they will be off the un-employment list. Obvious the economy is turning around/has turned the corner. If you’re not filing, you must be working. Right?

[csmusaret]

Unemployment rate will drop and Obama will claim credit.

[DoodleDawg]

I would bet that 2 months after the unemployment benefits end 50% of those people have some kind of jobs.

I wish there was some way to take you up on that bet.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Job search sites:

http://www.Indeed.com

http://www.Jobvertise.com

http://www.Careerbuilder.com

http://www.nationjob.com

http://www.ajb.dni.us/

[Klaatu Barada Nikto]

This means that starting Monday, most of those 1.3 Million people will finally get off their lazy butts and start looking for jobs. The rest will look for other ways to loot via more permanent “entitlements.”

[Red in Blue PA]

I would bet that 2 months after the unemployment benefits end 50% of those people have some kind of jobs.

You have not been looking for a job lately have you?

It is astounding to me how people sound so confident in what they post yet have not a clue about facts on the ground as they exist today.

[From The Deer Stand]

I know of two industrial businesses that are looking for new workers which they will train yet the number of applicants are few. Easier staying home living on the unemployment check and EBT cards.

[SkyPilot]

Between 2008 - 2012, we spent over half a Trillion dollars on direct cash payments for unemployed.

Unemployment benefits cost: $520 billion

Since 2012, Billions more have been spent - we are now approaching 3/4 of a Trillion dollars spent since 2008 on unemployment.

Paul Ryan, John Boehner, Patty Murray, Harry Reid, and Obama just betrayed our military and retired military - cutting their hard earned and well deserved pensions - in order to "save" $6 Billion......over ten years.

Disabled military are not exempt from the cuts.

Someone tell me, how in the hell do we justify spending tens of Billions of dollars now.....paying people not to work?

[impimp]

I can’t seem to find the part of the constitution that requires the federal government to pay nearly two years of unemployment benefits.

[kearnyirish2]

“If someone has not found a job in that time, they need to lower their sights and/or be willing to move to an area with more job openings.”

Maybe 20 years ago; those days are gone. The fast food places near me (big chains) don’t seem to have a single worker born in this country; less than 1/2 speak passable English, and apparently no Americans are even considered for the positions.

[2ndDivisionVet]

Dallas, Texas
http://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=&l=76102

Denton, Texas
http://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=&l=76208

Des Moines, Iowa
http://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=&l=50309

Austin, Texas
http://www.indeed.com/jobs?q=&l=78701

[Red in Blue PA]

I am not arguing for that. But anyone who claims that most of the unemployed are playing the system have not a clue. I am currently looking and it ain’t easy out there. Not arguing for a handout, but rather that people simply acknowledge how bad it is.

[DoodleDawg]

This means that starting Monday, most of those 1.3 Million people will finally get off their lazy butts and start looking for jobs.

If you really think that they've been sitting on their butts or a year and are just now thinking, "Hey! I better look for a job!" then you really are clueless. I know quite a few people who have been unemployed for a while and not a single one of them spent any time not actively looking for work.

[central_va]

I can’t seem to find the part of the constitution that requires the federal government to pay nearly two years of unemployment benefits.

I think it is in the same section that says abortion is a right and state secession is not allowed. /SARC