Most US unemployed don't get benefits: Here's why

[Omaha Steve]

http://apnews.excite.com/article/20141120/us-falling-jobless-claims-5-things-to-know-2129bc4b88.html

Nov 20, 5:04 PM (ET)

By CHRISTOPHER S. RUGABER

WASHINGTON (AP) — Even though the U.S. job market is gaining strength, there are still a lot of unemployed Americans. Yet only a fraction of them are receiving financial aid from the government.

Fewer than 25 percent of those out of work are signed up for weekly unemployment benefits, a near-record low since the government began tracking this data in 1987. That's a sharp turnaround from just after the recession, when as many as three-quarters of those out of work received help, a record high.

The drop counters a common assumption that most of those out of work receive unemployment benefits. It is partly a sign of an improving job market: Layoffs have plummeted and Americans seem more confident in their prospects for finding a job. But the drop also reflects the fact that state and federal benefit programs have been downsized from where they were just a few years ago. Unemployment benefits had been extended nationwide for as long as 99 weeks in 2009.

"We cut back on the safety net really sharply when the labor market is still damaged," said Josh Bivens, director of research at the Economic Policy Institute, a liberal think tank.

FULL story at link.

[noiretextatique]

1. no federal extensions

and in california, they changed the way benefits are calculated, to reduce the amount of benefits. i am in this predicament right now. i either have to find a job quickly, or convince my doctor to put me on disability. it seems the economy got a boost here (oakland, ca) in 2012-13, but things seem to be slowing down again. i have one foot on a banana peel and the other on an oil slick.

[Politicalboi]

3. I'm jumping through the hoops too in Ca

Going for General Relief. I get food stamps too. No unemployment for me. It ran it out years ago.

[noiretextatique]

4. been there

it totally sucks that the do-nothings in congress will not pass federal UI extensions...or a meaningful jobs bill. GA is next...if i don't find a job soon. and at 55, soon to be 56, i am not exactly a hot commodity. best wishes to you

[DAMANgoldberg]

2. 1099 workers don't get them either...

I was in that situation back in 2009 when I was laid off from my trucking company as the owner sold his trucks. Never mind the fact that I was a "company driver" for Interstate Distributors in every way but pay, because I had "forced dispatch" and dropyard/terminal privileges. Heck, I even had an employee badge. The 1099 "independent contractor" scam was in full effect, and is probably still going today.

[alp227]

5. SO that "nation of moochers" talking point all over right wing media is TRASH once again.

Right wing media and think tanks like Heritage have successfully made it shameful to be a "taker" (in their terms...in more neutral terms receiving govt benefits).

[Spitfire of ATJ]

6. Americans are IDIOTS when it comes to this until they end up there...

Talk to most Americans and they really believe you can go to the "Welfare Office" and get "free" money.

Ask them. They really believe MOST of their tax dollars go to support the lazy.

They'll also tell you what color "those people" are too.

Then they will brag that no matter how bad things got in their life they NEVER applied for "welfare".

[drmeow]

7. In AZ the unemployment

benefit maximum is $240/week - only Vermont, West Virginia, and Puerto Rico are lower. You have to be able to show proof that you searched for a job 4 days a week and you have to make "at least three work search contacts during the week" (work contacts means calling, e-mailing, submitting an application, contacting your former employers to see if they have work for you, contacting your union, etc). You can earn up to $30/week after which they reduce your benefit $1 for every $1 you earn. In August I lost my full-time job but was rehired as a part-time worker (10 - 15 hrs/week) in the same position. At 10 hrs/week I earn enough where my benefits are zero. Also, some weeks it isn't possible for me to make 3 work search contacts during the week as you just can't/don't do that in my profession. There were some weeks where there were a few jobs I was eligible for advertised - I spread out applying for them over 4 days so I could submit a claim and still couldn't get any benefits cause I earned too much. In the last 3 weeks there has been 1 suitable job for me to apply for - I haven't even been able to file a claim that would pay me nothing because I can't make 3 contacts. Luckily I'm married and we can live on my spouse's salary. If not I would have had to refuse the part-time job, put my house on the market, and move across the country to move in with my parents. UI benefits are a complete and utter joke for entire classes of employees like myself.