Unemployment Insurance Usually Pays Only 50% of One's Income, and the Amount is Capped

[stopbush]

I don't think people realize this.

Here in CA, the TOP weekly benefit amount is $450. You get that amount whether you make $900 a week or $9000. If you make $500 a week, your benefit is $250 a week. Unemployment insurance is NOT a replacement for your normal salary.

And unemployment benefits are taxed.

If you’ve lost your health insurance as well, you need to check out Obamacare options ASAP. Going on a COBRA means that you will need to pay 100% of the monthly premium that was being shared by you and your employer.

It’s a double whammy: your weekly take-home pay is cut in half with UI while your portion of your healthcare premium doubles.

[In_The_Wind]

1. If you need to buy food 50% is better than nothing.

[Hoyt]

2. Clearly, it's better than nothing. Hopefully, the relief checks Congress is kicking around will

help too.

[AirmensMom]

3. It was $247 here four years ago

when harleydad was unemployed. That was a small fraction of what he was earning before the company closed down. Nowhere near 50%. We were so happy for Obamacare. Sure, we had to pay back the discount after he got a job, but it was there when we needed it.

So explain how the payroll tax cut that the morons are talking about will help people in this situation. SMDH We are so screwed until we can get a responsible adult in charge.

[RobinA]

4. You Also

have to have worked a certain amount of time prior to filing. At least in PA.

[getagrip_already]

5. In MA it's higher than that.....

Roughly twice that limit.

[Wounded Bear]

6. Trump signed the bill last night. Is this addressed in the Phase II bill? nt

[sunflowerseed]

7. They need to suspend all loan payments for 3 months or longer

People need to use their $$ for food.

[jimfields33]

8. Pennsylvania was 560 a week 6 years ago

[jimfields33]

9. Link to Pennsylvania

https://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/collecting-unemployment-benefits-pennsylvania.html

It’s gone up to 573 dollars a week max plus 26 weeks of benefits. California is really pretty bad especially since the cost of living is incredibly high.

[stopbush]

10. Yep. Our benefits suck considering the CoL here. $1800 a month in benefits

won’t pay the rent on a studio apt.

Even Ohio has a higher rate for individuals, and their benefit rate goes up depending on how many dependents one has.

[haele]

11. On Mar 1st, I took another job where I have to wait 2 more weeks for Heath ins..

Along with my first paycheck. Just got my COBRA quote for the interim period... $3k for the family per month, no "refund" for after the new insurance kicks in.
Last time I was offered Cobra - a year and a half ago- it was $1300, and that's what we saved, plus what was expected to last us this month. We aren't poor, but we aren't a 6-figure income either, so savings tend to cover just one month.

Due to last year's income, Covered CA best quotes with spouse's doctors available was ~ $2075. And we would still have $60 co-pays and 40% on services and his meds.
He got his 90-day supply last month, so he should be good, but we've had to put off some important diagnostic tests and visits until next month because of that. I'm not going to take out a $4k loan for one month of insurance.
We'll wait it out the next week and hope for the best. We just don't have that money saved up or on the credit card.


Haele.