The push in September 2009 to extend unemployment benefits before approximately 400,000 workers from last year's layoffs lost theirs at the end of the month wasn't successful - and unfortunately, the extension has yet to be confirmed. This is due to a long-standing debate in Senate as to how just long the extension should last, as well as which states should receive the extension. In the meantime, unemployed workers have to find other ways to manage their expenses.
Last month, the House passed a bill to extend benefits by 13 weeks to those workers in high-unemployment states (states with unemployment rates higher than 8.5 percent). When the bill reached Senate, they were urged to pass it quickly to avoid a lag in benefits to workers in need. However, disagreements among Senate members has resulted in a stalled decision.
Sen. Max Baucus is pushing for a nationwide extension of benefits of four weeks in addition to the 13 extra weeks for high-unemployment states, while Sen. Jeanne Shaheen wants to extend benefits by 17 weeks to all 50 states. The proposals would be funded by extending the unemployment tax paid by employers, possibly through 2011.
Currently, the Senate Democrats have set no date to vote on the bill. Senate Republicans have declined to comment at all until they see the bill.
While the debate continues in Congress, nearly 400,000 unemployed workers have to figure out how to make ends meet until a decision is made. One can only hope that they've set aside emergency savings funds and have cut expenses in anticipation of something like this occurring.
Have you lost, or are in danger of losing your unemployment benefits? If so, do you have a financial backup plan?
