unemployment for 2 years?

[daughtersrus]

I just looked into it this week because there are rumors that DH's employer is going to close. A married person with a nonworking spouse and at least one dependant can collect at most $531/week on unemployment. It will cost us $849/month to convert our health insurance (through the union that DH belongs to) to COBRA.

Doing a quick check, I found...On Thursday, July 22, President Obama signed into law, legislation that extended certain temporary unemployment
benefits that had begun to wind down as of May 29. Under the new law, the number of weeks of benefits available to an
Illinois claimant will continue to range from 26 to 99, depending on when the application for initial benefits was filed and
whether or not the criteria for eligibility for the additional benefits programs are met.

...The maximum 99 weeks of benefits still include:
• 26 weeks of regular state benefits,
• 53 weeks of emergency unemployment compensation (EUC), in four separate tiers of 20, 14, 13 and 6 weeks,
• 20 weeks of extended benefits (EB)....

 

[Polyluvr]

I have no problem w people taking the UI and looking for a job. I have a serious problem w people who think it's great to get a check for nothing and have no plans to look for a job!!
I mean mine and many of you here-our grandkids are still going to be paying this deficit off... just burns me up!!!

 

[janets]

Here in NJ, maximum is $600/week + $25/wk extra that they send for some government program. DH is on his second layoff in a year. Was working for a company, laid off end of April 2009. Nothing for months. Did some consulting work (that only paid expenses but at least his car payment was covered), then the guy decided it was too expensive so wanted him to go commission only. We stopped collecting, since he would be earning something, but the one month he did it, the guy never paid him what he was owed. March 1 he got a job for another vendor in the same field for a decent salary. We thought all was good, but end of May he's laid off again. I don't know how the employer ever thought he could afford dh in March if they were so seriously in trouble.

His salary was decent (maybe not in NJ where it's incredibly expensive, but in most of the country) so he was able to open a temporary 11 week claim. That's almost up, so they will revert back to the original claim and the remaining weeks (I think he collected for something like 32 weeks on that). Here in NJ, we're at 99 weeks paid.

He spends all morning on job sites, sending out resumes, seeking employment. He had 3 phone interviews with the same company, so we're hoping that he'll be asked to come for an in person one soon. Many of the opportunities are for things like insurance sales, where you have to front start up funds and it's completely commission based. Sorry, but that $600 is helping pay for part of the mortgage, or some other bills. I don't have the money to front some insurance shtick that may never produce cash.

DH is in sales. That's all he's ever done. Does not have any other skills (like computers, mechanics, etc.). Unfortunately, retail sales pay minimum wage, and after taxes, we'd be further in the hole if he took something like that (it sounds awful but it's true). With a house, 2 kids, 2 cars, mortgage, bills, etc. we simply cannot survive with him on minimum wage, and spending money on gas to get there.

So we keep hoping for something. This is the 4th time he's been laid off in our 14 years of marriage, and each time it gets harder and harder for me. I have a pretty secure job, but our firm didn't give us a raise for 2 years, no bonuses, cut backs, layoffs. Everyone had to really step up and take on more. They know dh isn't working so they know exactly where they have me. And that's okay. I like my job and need it (I carry all the benefits) so I work and do whatever I need to do. I also started a second part time career as a travel agent. Work nights and weekends, and have been lucky that business has picked up and I can fund a vacation for the first time in 1.5 years. Not enough money to change our situation, but we can relax and have a bit of fun.

We stopped a lot of discretionary spending...eating out, fast food, activities. Cook at home pretty much every night, brown bag lunch, no junk food, much less processed stuff. Kids will take lunch every day to school when it starts. So I can manage. Now, dh's car payment is another story and if something doesn't come through soon, we might have to think about selling it and finding something less expensive. I know dh, and I think that will probably be the straw that breaks his back. But you know what, I can't worry about that.

I need to think of my children and their health and well being. I can't worry if I upset a grown man because his car payment is too high. So I just keep moving forward (a la Walt Disney) and hope for the best.

Believe me, I'd rather he was working than taking government money, but given the amount and the cost of living here in NJ, we simply cannot afford to take a minimum wage job and hope he moves up.

 

[Polyluvr]

Good luck to your DH Janet!!!

My post, I hope didn't upset you- I just meant the people that are happy to take it and it's like a 2 year vaca!

 

[a1tinkfans]

k so I just talked to someone who got fired from their job a couple weeks ago (good job, delivery job , teamsters union, you fill in the blanks) for serious attendance issues...and they said they don't have to worry about working for the next 2 years cause they will be able to collect unemployment....like no intention of even seriously trying to find a job. Is this where our country is at right now? State of Florida, thanks.

Why blame them....YUP, its where we have been heading..............and its likely to get Much worse...stay tuned for More Drama....

 

[Kathi OD]

How much money do people receive when they're on unemployment? Is it a flat rate or a percentage of what they earned prior to losing their job?

It depends on the state where you collect unemployment. Most states you earn a % of your former salary, up to a certain dollar figure. Of course these amounts vary widely from state to state.

DH was unemployed for almost exactly 2 years before finding a job. I can tell you that he collected less than 1/3 his take home pay. It was the most STRESSFUL time of our 33 year marriage! In those 2 years he sent out well over 1000 resumes and applied for countless other jobs, both in person and online, full & part time, in his field & not in his field.

Generally, someone making near the average wage in their state will make out the best. Higher wage earners make out the worst.

As far as getting an education is concerned, that's a big joke, especially if you already have a post-secondary education. DH didn't qualify for any training (paid for by the government) because he has a 30 year old bachelor's degree. Sure he could take out a student loan, but if you don't find a job after the schooling, how the heck do you pay back the student loan.

While there are some people who claim they are happy to be unemployed and are looking forward to a paid 2 year (it's really 99 weeks, but who's counting) vacation are either nuts, have a lot of money in the bank, have a spouse who is making big bucks, or has a mother who is willing to let their child mooch off them (like a PP).

 

[bicker]

k so I just talked to someone who got fired from their job a couple weeks ago (good job, delivery job , teamsters union, you fill in the blanks) for serious attendance issues...and they said they don't have to worry about working for the next 2 years cause they will be able to collect unemployment....like no intention of even seriously trying to find a job. Is this where our country is at right now? State of Florida, thanks.

We were discussing something similar at work on Thursday. A colleague really crystallized it imho. He said that the way unions work in the United States is that companies that employ union workers don't trust the workers with more than 20-30 seconds worth of the responsibility for building something or doing something, and in return the union worker have no care or concern about what they're building or what they're doing, but rather are just fulfilling their allotted purpose and then they go home. There is no vested interest built up in union workers, except interest in being a member of the union. Whether that's the union's fault or the employers' fault doesn't matter - the effect is clear.


As a side note; as things are now, in many areas, for many people, looking for a job is an exercise in futility. That's not to excuse anyone's efforts or lack-thereof, but rather to just underscore how important it is to foster economic activity. This is one reason why we will likely see more legislation and other governmental actions aimed in that direction, at the expense of the other side of the coin, consumption. The need is for more money to flow, not less.

 

[PatsGirl]

With the new legislation, you are eligible for unemployment in MA for 99 weeks. While I know that some claims are legit, there is alot of abuse as well.

My question is this: At what point should a worker consider taking a position of a lower caliber/pay scale than the job they initially lost? I know many people right now on benefits that won't even consider starting a new career ladder, but instead are holding out for a comparable position.

I do think it sucks that many have lost good jobs but I also think that a full time job that pays as much as the benefit offers should be considered. IMHO, I'd rather be working full time and earning my own way than collecting. Sure, I'd take some time looking for the job I really want but after 4-6 months of not finding one, what's the chance it's gonna happen? Then its time to suck it up and downscale if necessary.

BTW, in MA you can collect upwards of $700/week (50% of gross pay) plus additional $$ for each child and free health insurance. You do, however, have to pay state income tax at the end of the year on the benefits.

 

[tinatark]

Unemployment compensation is based on your pay over the past 18 months - quarters.. it's a complicated formula, and states have varying maximum weekly benefits.

There is an extra, federally funded $25 weekly stipend- was supposed to end with the latest extension. Now TN (and I assume other states as well) considers dependents - in TN you get $15 weekly per dependent. Base max here is $275, plus the $25 and stipend for any dependents.

UC is definitely being used as a crutch - one friend of the family was laid off in Michigan around 4 years ago, collected over $400 per week - since that was enough to pay bills, he didn't work. Moved to NC, did some temp work, got laid off, went back to his EUC tier, moved to Florida - when he finally exhausted his final EUC tier, got a job. He no longer had that weekly guaranteed check, enjoyed the several year "break. Another friend was laid off last summer, she was pregnant, so enjoyed the EC pay over her maternity leave. She had "layoff" insurance on her car loan, so that was paid, too, for the first year. When the EUC was set to expire in August, she started looking for a job, got one pretty quickly - but has enjoyed getting paid a little over 8 months with her new baby!

 

[marcyinPA]

My DH has been laid off three times over the past 15 years. His most recent lay-off was in February. He was able to collect the max, but he also worked two part time jobs during lay off. He did not sit idle. He was able to make up to so much money, before they reduced his unemployment benefits bi-weekly. By doing this, his UE benefits were stretched out for a longer period of time.

He was brought off lay-off two months later, but his company reduced his salary by $5 an hour and changed his job title to a lower category of employment. By doing this, he was making less than his UE benefits/part time jobs! He HAD to take the job. If he had refused, he would have lost his UE benefits. It really put us in a hard place. He is now working his full time job at lower pay, and works part time at night to make up the difference. I also work.

My DH HATED being on UE. He could never just sit around and do nothing. He was lucky to find part time work in his field, and also did a security job that was mindless but fun....but on more than one occasion, he said he'd flip burgers if he had to.

 

[kimblebee]

I have everyones stories beat, and not in a good way.

My neighbor is on assistance ( Welfare ) and has no intention of looking for a job until her daughter is in school. She's almost 3 now and the mom has been on assistance since before she was born. Here, when you are on assistance, you are not required to look for work until your child is 6 years old. So, the mom has decided to make welfare bum her career for the next 3 years and she is quite proud of the fact.

She complains that she has no money to pay bills yet I see KFC, Pizza Hut and other places delivering to her house at least 2x a week.

The part that really pushed me over the edge was the note that she wrote on her FB page thanking everyone for working so that we could keep paying for her to stay home with her daughter. She was being 100% sincere and I guarantee has no idea how ignorant it made her sound.

 

[quentina]

k so I just talked to someone who got fired from their job a couple weeks ago (good job, delivery job , teamsters union, you fill in the blanks) for serious attendance issues...and they said they don't have to worry about working for the next 2 years cause they will be able to collect unemployment....like no intention of even seriously trying to find a job. Is this where our country is at right now? State of Florida, thanks.

As a HR manager, I deal with this everyday. My company is very aggressive. If there is a policy in place and it can be proven that they are aware of the policy (signed acknowledgment etc), he would not collect (atleast in PA).

We win about 6 out of 10 UC hearings. The ones we don't win go under the "I was working to the best of my ability" title.

 

[browneyes106]

I have everyones stories beat, and not in a good way.

My neighbor is on assistance ( Welfare ) and has no intention of looking for a job until her daughter is in school. She's almost 3 now and the mom has been on assistance since before she was born. Here, when you are on assistance, you are not required to look for work until your child is 6 years old. So, the mom has decided to make welfare bum her career for the next 3 years and she is quite proud of the fact.

She complains that she has no money to pay bills yet I see KFC, Pizza Hut and other places delivering to her house at least 2x a week.

The part that really pushed me over the edge was the note that she wrote on her FB page thanking everyone for working so that we could keep paying for her to stay home with her daughter. She was being 100% sincere and I guarantee has no idea how ignorant it made her sound.

I know people like that here in the States. They get assistance or welfare but they spend it foolishly. I have a cousin on my mom's side who received child support and managed to collect forms of government assistance for years and she was debt due to shopping addictions for electronics, etc. My uncle has worked for a welfare/government assistance department here in New Mexico and he deals with people with those attitudes like your neighbor has all the time. My uncle has said that there are some people on government assistance who do have jobs but they only get assistance to get by in difficult situations or times but he has said many make a living out of collecting assistance and often some of these people have very nice cell phones and other expensive electronics.

As for issues of unemployment I think it depends on the difficulties some people may have trying to jobs that were related to the previous careers. My cousin collected for a year and a half because he had trouble finding work since 2008 after he lost his job in the computer industry in northern Cali. He did some repair work here and there and he had a quite bit of savings so he was ok.

 

[kimblebee]

No, she is on welfare by choice. There is nothing stopping her from getting off her butt and getting a job. She has decided to stay home so that she can spend time with her daughter while she is still young. I know it is there for people who truly need it but this bugs me soooo much. She doesn't have all the latest gadgets but she has no trouble finding money to go to a movie or out for dinner or to order in at least 2 times a week. Yet, every 2 months like clockwork her cell phone is disconnected for non payment. I could go on and on but it really would turn into a 6 page rant.

She is the sister of my ex husband who hasn't paid support in almost a year yet just took my daughter out on a shopping spree. She is only 9 so she doesn't see how messed up this is. OK, I'm stopping before I really get wound up LOL

 

[browneyes106]

^I do know people who are on welfare by choice. The people I mentioned will use their money for stuff they don't need but later they will complain about not being able to pay bills etc.

 

[kaytieeldr]

My sister was let go in December of 2008. I forget how much she was earning but she receives a bit over $400 on UE. She keeps saying she won't even look at jobs that pay less than $15 - 16 / hour. Why? She says that by the time she factors in the costs associated with employment (i.e., gas costs, health insurance premium for 2, new clothing, eating out for lunch, etc.) she would lose money by working.

NOT a critique of the quoted poster's sister AT ALL; I was in a similar position with, originally, a similar mindset. Now, granted, I'm my only consderation for healthcare cost, but I was getting paid a similar range on unemployment. I even thought about turning down the first job I was offered*. But, let's see... I still had gas costs - job hunt related; I still had healthcare cost - COBRA; I don't get the 'new clothing' thing, since I spent plenty of money on clothes during the ten or so years I had that previous job ; and a lot of employed people bring meals to work to, well, save money.


*Decision had nothing to do with having to report that I turned down a job offer - seriously. I did take that job, and spent only, um, less than three months on unemployment. I celebrate a year in - oh, wow, less than two weeks!

 

[MoniqueU]

I don't even see how anyone could live off unemployment unless they are sponging off a relative. My DH has been out of work before and never bothered to file no matter the circumstance. This might be a broad staatement but if you can afford to live off unelmployment you either weren't working much to start with or have a good paying job. JMHO.

 

[Belle0101]

I don't even see how anyone could live off unemployment unless they are sponging off a relative. My DH has been out of work before and never bothered to file no matter the circumstance. This might be a broad staatement but if you can afford to live off unelmployment you either weren't working much to start with or have a good paying job. JMHO.

My sister, that I posted about previously, can't afford to live on UE ($415/wk). She sponges. She owes her mom 15K. Overdraws her checking on a near weekly basis and then goes into the bank crying, real tears, how she is a single parent (CS is $80/wk) ... next thing you, they're waving her OD fees.

She gets money from her church. The Trustee of her township has given money towards rent more than once. She lets NIPSCO run into disconnect status and then the Trustee pays on that too, more than once.

She wanted to go to yard sales today but wanted me to loan her money for whatever she might find. No thanks.

She told me today that she's getting a $2800+ deposit from UE on Monday. There was that thing back in June with no more extensions but then it got passed and made retroactive. She was without UE for 7 weeks.

Now most people would have been looking for a job. But her? No. Why? Her reasoning was that she was owed that money if it went retroactive but if she got a job then she wouldn't get what she was owed and would have been cheated.

Her 99th week is on October. She said today she "figures" she'll start looking for a job then.

My biggest pet peeve with her? She calls UE her "Obama money". I've tried telling her that Obama is not writing a check from his personal bank account.

 

[DisneyWisher]

99weeks is not a guarantee in Florida. My brother was laid off Sept '08, he had an amazing paying job. He was a rep for a petscan co. His base pay was $60 grand plus comm. He made over $100 grand a year. He got laid off. The most Fl pays is $275 a week. Guess we are lower than other states since we don't have state income tax. In the first 18 months ge had 3 different jobs, as soon as it was close to the end of first 90 days he was laid off. Not just him but all new hires. So he really only collected 9.5 months of UI. Well during his 20th Month since he lost the good job his UI stopped permanently. He only received it for about 50 weeks. It took him 4 more months to find another job. 1 job he went to interview at was raided 3 hours before he got there. Sales jobs you have to be careful with.
I was let go from an Admin assistant job in Feb'09. I looked everyday and there just wasn't anything. I got offered a parttime bookkeeper job. 2 afternoons a week for 10 hours. It was in Miami due to number of hours I turned it down. I found a parttime job near my home. Because my UI didn't run out and I make less than what they were giving me I can still claim. Funny thing I make more working pt and claiming than just claiming. Just a little over $350. I'm just waiting for an opening to fulltime.

Oh one thing they did. At my job they hired 50 people but half never showed for first day after training for a week. Just before 90 day probation ended they fired 60% of staff. They had no intention of keeping everyone, it was rumored that the fired ones had signed up for insurance, the remaining didn't. I didn't since I only work
pt. Companies get tax credit for hiring unemployed. Sincetherm 4 more have been fired. I work at a call center for clothing co and those 4 were shipping themselves free clothes. They were arrested. Stupid people to think they can get away with it. But I am still be told no full time. I think it's because I work Friday and Saturday nights, it sucks but I have a job.

 

[DisneyWisher]

I forgot to add. My dad own a pool hall for 14 yrs before he sold it in 2005. Brother and I worked there though brother left for the petscan job. I stayed with the new owner. My dad was notified that 5 people were claiming unemployment against him. They had never worked there, we had never even heard of them. Talk about robbing the system. He won all 5 cases but we thought they shouldve been arrested for filing a false case.