Mixed Feelings about new Unemployment Extension

[Sugar Jones]

I paid unemployment premiums for 16 years before ever having to use them. I have been collecting UI for 15 months now. I do not in any way feel guilty for collecting the money I am getting. I check the job bank, help wanted ad etc... everyday. I can't take a $10.00/hr job it's not worth it when you have to pay for 3 kids in daycare. I will continue to collect until I find a suitable job or until it runs out.

Do you think maybe your bil could be depressed? I know when my Dad lost his job at 55 he went through a major depression. He didn't drink, but his thinking was why would anyone hire a 55 year old man who is used to making $75000.00 a year when they could hire a 25 year old who would be happy to make $50000.00 And he was right. He never did find a job, he ended up taking an early retirement, but it was a tough couple of years with his depression because of it

 

[j's m]

And when the economy heats back up, the employers will recontribute to pay back the taxpayers, as they have in every past recession. Its how the government disincentives layoffs.

In NJ, the employer only pays for the 26 weeks, the rest is paid for by the taxpayers. The employer will never have to fund the rest of the 99 weeks.

Yep, unemployment is paid for by employers. Also unemployment benefits aren't great - in Texas its $378 per week maximum - and that's taxable. If your brother wants to live off that, he's got bigger motivational problems than someone is paying him to sit around...he'd sit around even if no one was paying him.

Some people aren't motivated to work.

Come to New Jersey, here they pay 600 a week plus additional for each kid. That's why our fund is basically bankrupt.

 

[Snape]

I guess it really pays to be unemployed, in NJ anyway.

 

[Mom2Ben02]

My husband lost his job in the automotive industry 10 days after I found out I was pregnant with our third child. He worked for the same company for 16 years, and was let go with no severance so that the owner's nephew could have his job. I have worked part time or be a SAHM since our first son was born almost 8 years ago. While pregnant, I begged for as many hours as I could get, to supplement the unemployment paychecks. He was looking for a comparable job and taking care of our older two kids. I was put on bedrest 4 weeks before our son was born 6 weeks ago. I am lucky that I get the bedrest paid, plus a paid 12 week maternity leave.

Right at the same time I stopped working, he found a part time job in his field for pittance. However, he can work, get out of the house, and do his part to supplement the unemployment checks. With the part time job, he can earn up to half of his unemployment income and still collect a full check. He always works too much, and something is deducted from unemployment. The part time job and the unemployment checks add up to about 70% of his former income.

At this point, he is looking for a full time job, but is not going crazy any more. In the beginning, he would have taken any job, for any salary. Now, he realizes we can relax a bit. He knows that $14 an hour is not going to feed a family of 5. He knows that because he is working a part-time, very flexible job (his boss told him that he will work around my schedule when I go back to work) - I can work more hours. We do not have to pay anything for childcare. And - wonder of wonders - my husband has been able to BE THERE to see the kids more, and to truly enjoy our newborn - there is no price tag on that.

I am very conservative, and am against the whole "living on the dole" philosophy. However, I also have to realize what is the right thing for our family. Right now, having my husband home is a great thing, and we are trying to see the upside in a dark time in our lives. Yes, some people take advantage of the system, and in a way we are too. Some people are not just sitting home watching TV, and I just wanted to put in my two cents. (I think my two cents are only worth about a penny these days, though)

 

[cglaura]

I guess it really pays to be unemployed, in NJ anyway.

No kidding! I work at home at nights, and on Saturdays do rental turnover cleaning (summer shore town, tons of rentals).

Twice a week I help an elderly lady out with whatever...cleaning, errands, yardwork, etc. I would do this regardless, because it is the rigtht thing to do, but she doesn't want to be a "burden", so she pays me in casseroles! She reminds me of the little lady in the Wedding Singer with the meatballs

I'd be "rolling in it" on that UE income, as my expenses are really really low. I've been paying into UE since I was 16, I could easily start working the system if I was a deadbeat.

But, I'm not going to lose sleep over it. I know my life is good, I'm happy, I couldn't in a million years sit around and do nothing all day. I can't be weighed down by other's life choices.

ETA: My comment was about people working the system, not those truly needing help at this time...

 

[luvsmickeymouse]

My husband lost his job in the automotive industry 10 days after I found out I was pregnant with our third child. He worked for the same company for 16 years, and was let go with no severance so that the owner's nephew could have his job. I have worked part time or be a SAHM since our first son was born almost 8 years ago. While pregnant, I begged for as many hours as I could get, to supplement the unemployment paychecks. He was looking for a comparable job and taking care of our older two kids. I was put on bedrest 4 weeks before our son was born 6 weeks ago. I am lucky that I get the bedrest paid, plus a paid 12 week maternity leave.

Right at the same time I stopped working, he found a part time job in his field for pittance. However, he can work, get out of the house, and do his part to supplement the unemployment checks. With the part time job, he can earn up to half of his unemployment income and still collect a full check. He always works too much, and something is deducted from unemployment. The part time job and the unemployment checks add up to about 70% of his former income.

At this point, he is looking for a full time job, but is not going crazy any more. In the beginning, he would have taken any job, for any salary. Now, he realizes we can relax a bit. He knows that $14 an hour is not going to feed a family of 5. He knows that because he is working a part-time, very flexible job (his boss told him that he will work around my schedule when I go back to work) - I can work more hours. We do not have to pay anything for childcare. And - wonder of wonders - my husband has been able to BE THERE to see the kids more, and to truly enjoy our newborn - there is no price tag on that.

I am very conservative, and am against the whole "living on the dole" philosophy. However, I also have to realize what is the right thing for our family. Right now, having my husband home is a great thing, and we are trying to see the upside in a dark time in our lives. Yes, some people take advantage of the system, and in a way we are too. Some people are not just sitting home watching TV, and I just wanted to put in my two cents. (I think my two cents are only worth about a penny these days, though)

I don't think that you are taking advantage of the system. I am on partial unemployment myself. I drive a school bus and school is out for the summer. I drive for summer camps, or my van job, things like that and collect a small unemployment check for 10 weeks every summer.

 

[LisaNJ25]

In NJ, the employer only pays for the 26 weeks, the rest is paid for by the taxpayers. The employer will never have to fund the rest of the 99 weeks.



Come to New Jersey, here they pay 600 a week plus additional for each kid. That's why our fund is basically bankrupt.

yeah buts that's the max.. how many people are actually getting that I wonder. I have collected 3 times and never got anywhere near that.

 

[Kathi OD]

Gotta love the misinformation here:

In NJ, the employer only pays for the 26 weeks, the rest is paid for by the taxpayers. The employer will never have to fund the rest of the 99 weeks.

Both the employer and the employee pay into NJ UE fund. Additionally, according to http://www.njsendems.com/release.asp?rid=3471

the federal government covers up to 53 weeks of 100% emergency unemployment insurance funding, 20 weeks of extended unemployment insurance benefits, and an additional $25 per week supplement for all benefits.

Come to New Jersey, here they pay 600 a week plus additional for each kid. That's why our fund is basically bankrupt.

Not exactly. $600 is the most you can get. It's not the average, not by a long shot. You have to be making a pretty good salary to get that $600/week. Also, you're entitled to only 3 additional dependents, not EVERY kid. Even with that, your weekly benefit cannot be more than $600.

The reason the fund is bankrupt is because unemployment in NJ, like every other state, is running much higher than has been statistically budgeted for.
When you budget for an unemployment rate of 4 or 5%, and the real unemployment rate is close to 10%, of course the fund is giong to run short of funds.

 

[nunzia]

Aren't all these extensions coming directly from the Feds? Big argument about the last signing on the latest extensions since the gov't is essentially broke and the extension would cost so many more billions..the Rep wanted to take the money from the extra stimulus budget? It's all funny money now, so, well.
Anyway... I know of several people who are reallly milking the system on purpose, make no bones about it, and have stated loud and long that they will get a job when the gravy train is over. One individual has been somehow very highly paid for years and was actually laid off the last time because the employers got fed up with this person finding more and more ways to increas their pay. This person then sold her house in Washington, put all profits in the bank and has moved to NM, in with her Mom and is mooching off of her..Now..this gal makes way more on unemployemnt than I make working,..she has had job interviews with several places that might actually hire her, but she says right off the bat she will not work for less than 60K..her life is going to the gym and watching Netflix.She's been pulling unemployment for the limit and they keep extending it so she says she'll worry about a job when it stops and not before. I do know employers pay for unemployment, but these extensions are just being added to the deficit..so...I don't appreciate working hard in 2 jobs and still making alot less than she does sitting around. Really...alot of people are more than happy to not do anything and to play the system..I see this over and over at one of my jobs..individual drive and motivation is falling behind.
Now, this is not for those who are truly struggling and would take a job and not be too proud to lower their living standards a bit if that was all it took. This is directed to those who will play it for all it's worth and feel like they are just fine in doing so. Sometimes you have to adjust your lifestyle..I've been gone from Vegas 10 years and I'm STILL making less than I made there.. it's possible.

 

[heartsy77]

OP My brother is pretty much the same way EXCEPT he is 27! Lives in my parents basement (rent free of course)
pays nothing and just got his unemployment restored! Best of all last week he hit a tree with his car DRUNK. My moms solution: buy him a new car yesterday! I just don't understand him or my parents. One of my biggest fears is my parents are going to pass and he'll become my problem!

My own DH has was laid off at the end of May suddenly. He is going nuts not having a job! He has pretty much lined up a state job starting this fall, and is counting the days till he can return to work.

 

[ccgirl]

OP - I am right with you on this.

Try being in MA where you can collect up to $750 a week!!!! Unfortunately, I have been laid off twice within the past two years. The first time it took me 3 months to get a job and the second time 4 months. Both times, I applied to at least 3 places a week and everything else you are supposed to do. Were the jobs I accepted my dream jobs? Did they pay as much as my "old" job did? No. The jobs are out there. One of my friends was laid off with me two years ago. She collected unemployment for two years. Why???? Because she was making $750 a week and not paying daycare so she was making more on unemloyment. It really irks me because what these people don't understand is that it is just adding to the deficit. It is no different than taking advantage of welfare or any other government program. People don't have much incentive to get a job when they can make more staying unemployed. Another uncle was making 125K a year. Got a job offer for 90K and turned it down (and didn't report the offer) because he still wanted to make 6 figures. Again...at home with son so not paying daycare and living off the government.

 

[wdwfan16]

Gotta love the misinformation here:



Both the employer and the employee pay into NJ UE fund. Additionally, according to http://www.njsendems.com/release.asp?rid=3471




Not exactly. $600 is the most you can get. It's not the average, not by a long shot. You have to be making a pretty good salary to get that $600/week. Also, you're entitled to only 3 additional dependents, not EVERY kid. Even with that, your weekly benefit cannot be more than $600.

The reason the fund is bankrupt is because unemployment in NJ, like every other state, is running much higher than has been statistically budgeted for.
When you budget for an unemployment rate of 4 or 5%, and the real unemployment rate is close to 10%, of course the fund is giong to run short of funds.

NJ Unemployment site:

"The amount of unemployment benefits you may receive each week is your Weekly Benefit Rate (WBR). The amount will be 60% of the average weekly earnings during your base year period, up to a maximum of $600 (in 2010)."

If your average weekly earning was $1000 or more you get the max. That is a $52K job. I even verified that with the benefit calculator.


Wikipedia:
"Its median household income is $55,146 (2000),"

Based on 2000 numbers over 1/2 of all households exceed this. If they are a single income household they get the max. If they are a dual income household they would get less (60% rule is used).

 

[leahjade]

My husband is having a hard time finding workers since they extended benefits for so long. And he works for a company that pays very well. A lot of people would rather make less and stay home.

 

[Colleen27]

Honestly, that seems like such a sad way to live that I can't really see getting upset over it. I can't imagine how difficult it is for the long-term, older unemployed who are in what should have been the best years of their lives - high earnings, empty nest - and instead have found themselves living on meager unemployment benefits.

The unfortunate reality that our leaders are not yet acknowledging (at least not publicly) is that for a lot of the long-term unemployed, all that's left for them is to hope that they can stretch out unemployment until they're old enough to draw on whatever retirement funds, pensions, and social security they've earned. A lot of the unemployed your brother's age (late 50s/early 60s) aren't ever going to see themselves back in anything but maybe the most menial of jobs, because companies aren't willing to invest hiring and training costs in someone who is just a few years away from retirement when there are plenty of younger unemployed that make for a better long-run investment. Even with retraining in something more marketable than whatever he's experienced in, he's still going to be the 60 year old man competing with 25 year olds for jobs. If you were doing the hiring, which would you choose?

 

[Colleen27]

The reason the fund is bankrupt is because unemployment in NJ, like every other state, is running much higher than has been statistically budgeted for.
When you budget for an unemployment rate of 4 or 5%, and the real unemployment rate is close to 10%, of course the fund is giong to run short of funds.

Exactly. The fund here in Michigan is bankrupt too, and our maximum benefit is much lower ($380 max/$295 average). I don't think any state was prepared for double-digit unemployment, and certainly not the almost-15% we've been dealing with here.

 

[dkr7166]

I guess my question right now would be what do you consider to be a legitimate, fair unemployment collection period?

I'm in accounting and was laid off in May. I'm sure I'll be able to find something by the start of tax season in January, it's just hanging in there until then and try to find something remotely related. Until then, I'm doing everything I'm supposed to do, but am extremely relieved benefits were extended last week, as my 26 weeks will be up in November.

 

[LisaNJ25]

Honestly, that seems like such a sad way to live that I can't really see getting upset over it. I can't imagine how difficult it is for the long-term, older unemployed who are in what should have been the best years of their lives - high earnings, empty nest - and instead have found themselves living on meager unemployment benefits.

The unfortunate reality that our leaders are not yet acknowledging (at least not publicly) is that for a lot of the long-term unemployed, all that's left for them is to hope that they can stretch out unemployment until they're old enough to draw on whatever retirement funds, pensions, and social security they've earned. A lot of the unemployed your brother's age (late 50s/early 60s) aren't ever going to see themselves back in anything but maybe the most menial of jobs, because companies aren't willing to invest hiring and training costs in someone who is just a few years away from retirement when there are plenty of younger unemployed that make for a better long-run investment. Even with retraining in something more marketable than whatever he's experienced in, he's still going to be the 60 year old man competing with 25 year olds for jobs. If you were doing the hiring, which would you choose?

exactly... my 63yo aunt is being laid off the end of the year. Over 40 years with the same company right out of college. She is hoping the unemployment will stretch a little before she starts social security.

My 27yo brother on the other hand going on his forth extension should be out there looking for a job.

 

[Planogirl]

There are older people who get jobs. Sure it's harder but not impossible.

I feel sorry for your brother. He sounds like one of those who have given up.

 

[SanFranciscan]

If you were unemployed and feeling unemployable, which would you rather do when asked about your situation, play the sly one who has out-smarted the system or admit that you are what is looked upon as a "loser" in our society which worships the well-to-do? I bet that I know.

Fact is that the employers themselves are sucking at the government breast. I applied for a job that pays only a retail salary in a big electronics chain and was denied an interview for failing the online application process which asked more questions about welfare, which I have never qualified for, than about my work history. Companies want to be PAID to hire people who are not charity cases but expected to contribute plenty to the employers' bottom line. Yet no one is willing to train new workers. I have even seen advertisements demanding experience from interns as if gaining experience wasn't the stated purpose of calling workers interns instead of employees. Of course, the actual purpose is for companies to get something for nothing. I bet that is why you can never find anyone who knows anything when you enter a store or call customer service, etc.

Your tax dollars are going to companies who are simply pocketing "federal stimulus" money with no requirement to train new workers or even hire them. A company need only advertise for workers to snatch up those bucks. The jobs don't have to actually exist.

I went out to count the homeless during the U.S. Census. I had plenty of company the night I went out to the public park to walk around in heavy rain and through the mud to count homeless people who resented our presence in their camp sites. The laziest people on the planet will work for a living wage, even under very unpleasant conditions starting a 1:30 a.m. at a job they know is going to be temporary with no health benefits etc.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

My DH is just about to start his 2nd year on unemployment. He was with the same large company for 22 years and happened to be in the wrong department at the wrong time since his entire function was outsourced to another state. Some posters have said they think the jobs are out there and job seekers need to be more flexible and take anything. That's a good theory, but the truth is that the jobs are not out there. My DH sends out resumes everyday, in and out of his field. He has applied for literally hundreds of jobs in the past year. The problem is that in our area (Silicon Valley, CA) there are at least 500 applicants for every job. If you are not 100% qualified for a job, chances are many other people are and they will get the interviews. He's tried applying for retail and is told he's over-qualified. The stores are afraid he'll either be bored and won't produce or he'll leave shortly for a better job. The only way to even get in the door around here is to know someone who's already in the company. He's been working his LinkedIn contacts and trying to find people who are willing to give him an introduction to a hiring manager. The problem is that in companies where he knows people, there are no jobs available that suit him. His employment status is certainly not due to lack of effort!

The unemployment benefits we've received for the past year have been a good supplement to my income and have allowed us to stay current with our house payments. I think (at least I hope) that the OP's brother is the exception to the unemployment situation and that most people are honestly and dilligenty looking for jobs.