I'm looking and don't get any benefits at all. None. Never have. Every week I wonder how I am going to pay anything. Luckily I have some family helping out. Beats sleeping on an army cot in the salvation army (which I did once..it aint comfy). And if I did get benefits I would still spend just as much time looking. I don't know where this crazy idea originated that conservatives who get benefits will refuse to look for employment. Insanity.
However, I do not wish to pay anybody unemployment benefits for an extended period of time. We are keeping our business going with personal savings and retirement benefits. We haven't had a vacation in 12 years. We've never had a two-week vacation. In other words, I have limited sympathy for the plight of the unemployed after a few weeks. Quit whining and get cracking.
I have a lot going on right now, plus my unemployment benefits ran out suddenly, which leaves me looking for work.
Crazy notion?
My gentleman friend (yes, a union carpenter) has been mostly out of work for over 18 months. A job comes up for a few weeks but then its back to unemployment. His health benefits have been suspended for a year because he doesn’t have enough hours for the previous 6 month periods. And I can tell you this - he is either on the phone, reviewing papers, driving to job sites all day long looking for and soliciting work. Anyone who thinks most people are just sitting in front of the tube eating bonbons while collecting a check is out of touch with reality. He never gives up but it is wearing him down. And I can empathize and offer support.
So, until another adminstration comes in and can offer some real progress on the job front, I am in agreement on extending benefits. I wish you well in your job search. I can empathize with what you are going through.