House passes unemployment extension bill HR 3548 by vote of 403-12

Oh my god! Why is it that 400 people in the House can agree in under 24 hrs, but 100 people in the Senate can't agree in over 40 DAYS???

Who knows, I might actually start receiving my benefits by the end of the year!!

This is GREAT news !!!

Let's hope 44 signs it tomorrow.

This is wonderful! I been so worried. I may not be evicted this month after all!

Thanks House!

Due to the lag in implementing the extension, it may take your state a month or more to actually get the money to you.

Here in Ohio, it takes 4 to 6 weeks to put everything in order and start sending them out.

I understand it will be a while, but I am just happy to have hope. At least I can pay my rent for this month next month and have hope of keeping a roof over my son's head until I find work. I need more time. I had two interviews within the last 2 weeks and I just found out today that I didn't get either of them. I'm so disappointed. So, hearing this news made me have some light in my life a bit longer.

UPDATE: President Obama doesn't feel any need to sign the bill before tomorrow. Oh well, at least he didn't make us wait an additional weekend.

i called the ODJFS yesterday and they told me that ted strickland is not signing over anything on unemployment until jan 2010,but we can claim all the weeks from the date the president signed the extention.

You've got to be effen shifting me! I can't last another 2 months!!

It's my understanding there is a provision in HR3548 that would allow states to pay this new extention (Tier-3) immediately after Tier-1. Or did I read that wrong?

That's a detail I really don't know. I've been looking online for the precise wording of the bill that was signed yesterday, but I can't find it.

Jim, I been looking too. There are like a million blogs & each 1 seems to have their own interpretations of it. However, on the ODJFS site press releases shows no cutoff dates. Their wording makes it look like Tier-1 to Tier-2 to OEB automatically? You can see that in the PDF on their site. Confusing to me.

I can't find anything on the ODJFS site that's dated past September.

One thing I DO know, though, is that the previous three extensions are still scheduled to be pulled as of December 26th of this year - no matter how many weeks you have left to collect. I've seen non-authoritative sources say that Congress will act on this "oversight" before it becomes an issue.

Jim, I just looked also. If you go on the ODJFS site (unemployment.ohio.gov) you don't need to sign in. But on the left side of that page, there is a link to click "Extended Benefit Information (EUC 08)". Makes no mention of anything being dropped on any date. There are several effective dates, but no expiration?

The "08" part of EUC08 refers to it being from last year (either July or November, not sure which one that is). When that was posted, the expiration date was over a year away. Since the extension was only for 13 weeks (aka 3 months), the cutoff date probably didn't seem relevant at the time.

At the time it was also believed that things would have improved by now - rather than getting worse (the Bush administration didn't even want to admit that things were getting bad - much less the possibility they'd get much worse). Since the presumption was that no one would need them after Dec 26th 2009, why even mention they would end on that date??

Sounds to me like they are just trying to cover their own tail ends. Otherwise, they would keep us better informed. Hopefully, if & when they vote to extend HR3404 (I think it is) it will be a done deal before December 26. I'd really rather not spend New Years Eve in a homeless shelter just because of some stupid partisan arguments that don't have squat to do with the main issue!

I just double checked. At the very bottom it says that Tier 1 benefits would expire on 12/26/09. That's the first federal extension I believe. No specific mention is made of the other 2 - but this is a PDF that got updated as things changed. The fact that no mention was made of other expiration dates suggests that no update OF expiration dates was necessary - because they all do?

The latest extension was passed... but a previous poster in this thread says that Strickland has said that he won't implement it until 2010. I can't find anything online to confirm or dispute that.

I got so busy writing those last two that I forgot that a second expiration date IS mentioned... Tier 2 is scheduled to be "yanked" on June 5, 2010.

Jim, In that paragraph it says Dec 26 is the last date for Tier-1 to be paid. a bit further up, it says that Tier-2 (13 weeks) kicks in so long as you exhaust Tier-1 by Dec 26. Awhile back, I googled "Ohio Extended Unemployment Benefits" and found a site that says once you exhaust Tier-2, then Ohio Extended Benefits kicks in for 20 weeks. But then, that was over the summer. I will have to look that up again, but it did imply all total was 79 weeks at that point.

Yeah... I did see that but forgot it while typing.

I wish you hadn't reminded me that the earlier extension was called "Ohio Extended Unemployment Benefits." If this last extension is structured similarly, it would explain how Strickland even has any input on when it gets implemented.

Ohio EB contains 2 flaws I did not see initially: 1. Ohio EB, Tier 1 (100% federally funded through 12/31/09) -- 13 weeks and 2. Ohio EB, Tier 2 (100% federally funded 12/31/09) -- 7 weeks! Which backpedals what ODJFS says on their top page dated May 12, 2009 "On April 1, 2009, Ohio law was amended. Individuals may now receive up to 20 weeks of state-extended benefits after their federal-extended benefits expire, for a total of up to 79 weeks overall. These benefits are known as "Ohio Extended Benefits, or Ohio EB". The first payable week of Ohio EB is the week beginning March 15, 2009." Quite a bit of double talk there?

got this from ohio.gov, "Americans have faced unprecedented economic challenges since the collapse on Wall Street last year. Today’s news that more than 10 percent of Americans are currently out of work underscores the need for our continued efforts to help those who have been hardest hit by this economic downturn." Strickland wants re-elected next year, I don't foresee him stalling anything. I will wait until I see an official release before I believe him waiting ontil January to sign anything.

I hope I see what Strickland may have said about the new year. Rather than referring to the recently passed HR3548 extension, he may have been talking about Ohio EB tier 2. It could be entirely possible that in order to renew Tier 2 that he has to sign some legislation that would take effect in Jan 2010.

At least I HOPE that's what it was!

I found it hard to believe that Strickland would refuse to pay out this latest extension before the new year... however... he's also been a real tightwad when it comes to money. He's been going on and on about how the state is broke (and it may very well be). Refusing to implement this latest extension was just barely inside the boundaries of the believable - enough so that it's stressing me out.

Jim, I know what you mean. It is extremely stressful. The wording makes little to no sense to me & they bury the information so deep even Bill Gates would have trouble finding it. Hard to know what is what with everything. I just get up in the morning & try to survive the day - day by day. WHat else can ya do?

I know what you mean... but I've got to admit that lately I've been putting less and less effort into trying to survive the day. Why? To endure another one just like today???

Oh well... time will tell how things turn out. All we can do is wait.

Time is a luxury we no longer have. What is next for people such as you & I? Welfare? Food Stamps? The federal government got us into this mess, they need to get us out of it. Just my opinion.

Obama's not willing to do what it takes to get us out of this mess as quickly as possible. Import tariffs would solve a lot of our problems, but it would upset every other country on the fact of the Earth - and the people at Nobel might take his Peace Prize away from him before he even put his hands on it (the ceremony is usually held on Dec 10).

I'm willing to admit that I believe his vision of the economy is a good one in the long term - and that's something that's rarely seen in a politician. The trouble is that we need something that'll carry us over until the long term comes into being. Bush left a major mess behind him, and we need janitors today to clean it up.

Jim, just my opinion - but Bush is not the only problem here. A huge chunk of this started when NAFTA was approved (Clinton, I believe?). Granted, Bush didn't help matters when he chose to ignore the Enron Crisis (which should have been addressed much sooner than it was). All of those were contributing factors to where we are now! I do like Obama's optimism, but if jobs are not created we will do nothing but live from extention to extention with no end in site. There should have been more oversight on Wall Street, also! Right now, I am more concerned about the wording of the OEB. That should be a priority of Strickland at the moment - to fix that, extend it, whatever he needs to do!

Actually, NAFTA was the work of Georgie Sr. He did a ceremonial signing in the last days in office. After he left, the Clinton administration was pretty much obligated to follow up on it. Yet another example of a Bush family member crapping in the middle of the floor on his way out.


I THINK the wording needs to be changed in DC - which would mesh with the chatter I've heard elsewhere. Strickland would then have to put his stamp of approval on it.

OK, my mistake about Clinton. Actually, the wording should be fixed at the federal and state levels. I understand that no-one thought it would go this far. My employer told us we would only be off until mid-February 2009 (we were laid off January 2009). Which was normal for my work-place, an annual lay-off of 2-6 weeks. We were not concerned at that point. 10-months later, nothing but concern. Who would have thought? What really bites is 2008 was a record year for my company. Never could figure out how they go from record year to lay-off literally overnight? So, just break out the erasers & change the dates across the board. I think that would be most helpful. And, I fail to see where HR3548 helped those who will exhaust after Jan 1, 2010. That date never should have been in that bill at all!

I'm sorry to hear it. I lost my job when the company my temp agency sent me to outsourced the work to some company in Europe. Since strictly speaking I was working for the temp agency and not the company they sent me to, I couldn't take advantage of any of the programs available to "displaced workers."

Well... if you'll look at the calendar, if the Senate had acted in a very timely fashion, HR3548 as passed by the House (13 weeks) would have been exhausted by 1/1/10 anyway. The House was going to "get back to that" when the time came.

What programs are available for "Displaced Workers"? This is the 1st I ever heard that term. I am a machinist of 20+ years, do I go into that group called "Displaced Workers"?

Hit "Submit" too fast, sorry. Has Congress sceduled any debates or votes or anything on HR3404? Tried to google it & I get nothing more recent than Sept 2009?

I'm not 100% sure I used the correct term, but it refers to those workers who lost their jobs due to them being sent to other countries (aka "outsourced"). They include such things as free retraining. It might even include subsidized relocation, but I'm not certain of that.

If you know a bills designation (such as HR3404), the best place for the most up to date information on it is at thomas.loc.gov. Type in the bill number, click on the "Bill Number" button, and click on Search.

According to the information there, this bill went into a House subcommittee on July 31st of this year... and hasn't been heard from since.

A related bill, S1647, went to a Senate committee on August 7th and likewise went dark.

Here's another one to look at. If I am reading this right, the cutoff time for Tier-1/Tier-2 isn't until May 2010. It really looks like we only lose the OEB program On Dec 26, but the federal tiers remain unchanged?

http://jfs.ohio.gov/ocomm_root/StateEB_FAQ_Final.pdf

However, if they could extend HR3548 and/or HR3404, we wouldn't need OEB anyhow? Am I reading this right?

The way I read it, you have until 12/26/09 to BEGIN collecting OEB. The payout continues until May 2010.

The EUC08 you originally referenced applies to Tier-1 and Tier-2. Tier 1 is set to expire on 12/26/09. Tier 2 will be in effect until June 2010.

Oddly OEB ends before Tier 2 does.

But don't ask me why 12/31/09 has any influence though.

Or... maybe not. The wording here is contradictory. From the PDF:

=====

With certain exceptions, the program is being financed by the federal government for individuals who establish eligibility on or before December 26, 2009. The program will be phased out for individuals who began receiving state-extended benefits prior to December 26, 2009

======

First they say you have until 12/26 to become eligible... and then they go on to say that they'll phase it out???

OK, but that last link clearly states that OEB ends on Dec 31?

Ohio EB, Tier 1 (100% federally funded through 12/31/09) -- 13 weeks
Ohio EB, Tier 2 (100% federally funded 12/31/09) -- 7 weeks

Looking at that & considering the federal cutoff dates for *their* tier-1/tier-2 programs + "Total eligible weeks through 12/31/09 = 79 weeks", I am pretty much screwed after my Tier-1 OEB is exhausted which is like 4 or 5 weeks from now?

True, I also noticed the double-talk. I'm not sure what to believe there?

No it doesn't say OEB ends on 12/31. It says that 100% federal funding ends then. That would be further explanation of why Gov Strickland would have to do something in January.

Wait, I was wrong. I am not into OEB yet. Sorry

Let me ask you a couple questions:

1) When were you laid off?

2) When you file for unemployment, do they ask you who you contacted in your attempt for to find a job?

Never mind the questions then - I was beginning to suspect you might be confusing Tier 1, Tier 2 and OEB. The answer to question #2 during the OEB period is "Yes."

However... you're cutting it close with your Tier 1 benefits. Those ARE the ones that will expire on Dec 26. you'll have exhausted them shortly before this and will have moved into Tier 2.

I was laid off January 6, 2009. Right now, I am coming up on the end of Second phase EUC, Tier 1 (4 or 5 weeks from now, I think). Where do I stand with Second phase EUC, Tier 2?

I do believe that the dates that have been set for the expirations of EUC are ok for you. Without any further government action you have until Dec 26, 2009 to use up all of EUC Tier 1. That's about 7 weeks away (I'd have to look at a calendar to be more precise). You have until June 5, 2010 to use up all of EUC Tier 2. It won't last until then, and I don't know why that date was chosen.

OEB would kick in after that... and here's where it gets a bit "iffy" for you. Your EUC Tier 2 will be exhausted around March or so. The OEB is currently set to expire in May.... so who knows what they'll do.

I appreciate the time you took. Really puts my mind at ease. Thank you!

I know just how stressful it can be - and how hard it is to find information.

I lost my job a year before you (01/04/08 was my last day), so I've been where you are and I'm glad to share my knowledge.

(I only hope Time Warner doesn't cut me off soon... I'm 2 months behind already, and the next bill is due in maybe as long as a week from now)

Looks like you have been lucky thus far. They cut me off when I was 31 days late. Dish Network let me go 3 months before shut off. Down to AT&T DSL. I wish you the best!

From what I understand, all states get a 4th ext of 14 weeks, with states in higher than ave unemployment getting 6 more. Whatever extension we're on at the end of the year, we get to finish, but we won't get to start a new extension until they get the HR3404 passed, which Reid and others are working on. I'm in CA and we get 20 weeks - although, I think I will get hired by the IRS in the next week or so which will carry me until mid April - then I'm selling my home and leaving the state. I got laid off Oct 08 from an Advertising Agency. I pay my bills and no money left for food or gas etc. yet I didn't qualify for food stamps. If I had young children or if I'd never worked or if I'd worked for cash (gardeners, housekeepers etc.), then I'd qualify. The system is skewed - I was quite frustrated to see so many non-English speaking indiviuals who get the whole gamut. I haven't had health insurance since the 90s - we need major change in this country.

By the way, for those who need lower cost prescriptions, you can go to edrugsearch.com - it's a qualified place to shop for low prices and get the same exact stuff for waaaay less. My good friend is an economics professor in Ontario and LOVES his healthcare system...

You can also try going to Farmer's markets and when they're about to close up shop, you can ask for reduced prices or any free stuff their willing to give instead of toss. I've learned to eat cheap.

The Salvation Army and United Way etc. offer help with paying one bill a year - PG&E etc. And churches have great potlucks. Some restaurants offer free appetizers with drinks - just go with friends, drink water and have a snack. Also, look for art museum receptions - they're often free and offer tons of food besides the great art.

Alot of food chains (IE KFC) giving away free food. I have noticed Taco Bell is like the only major chain not having give-aways! Are they Republican? Pretty sad, a year ago this would not have phased me! Now I hate Taco Bell for not giving away free food! Where is this country headed? I hate the mind-set I am in now! Where is this going to stop & when? I went from $47K a year to looking for free fast food! Unbelievable! I used to joke about being the only white guy who could walk down the street without fear of a drive-by! Today, I walk down the streets with targets on me!

Ron, think of this time as an opportunity - we have time we never had before, (I've learned a lot of new songs on my guitar) and we can sort of rebirth ourselves - create a new future - spend more time with friends - figure out what we'd really like to do. I've come through huge growth this year - lots of major changes, not just job loss. I've learned to have more patience, to trust the universe for my needs, that I have amazing friends who have helped me out here and there - that I'm strong, that somehow I've been able to get by and still keep my house I've had for close to 15 yrs - it's almost paid off. I feel like I've been given a lot of incredible care through all of this - uncanny situations that have blown me away.

I've definitely had my meltdowns - esp with the credit card co's - which I finally got onto the BLP (balance liquidation program - my rate is now 6% cards are closed and I just pay off in a shorter time this way.) I had to call about 4-5 times to finally get a good soul who helped me get it. And I told one guy off at one point, "You're just working for these fatcats, what if YOU lost your job???" (He told me I shouldn't have spent so much on credit - I told him I spent it on my car repairs, my health care - groceries and gas.) I have two other cards still open, but not much left avail. and I'm sure my credit score dropped due to the ratio - but, I've not missed any payments.

My son used to work for Taco Bell and they were horrible. I would never eat there free or not. Here's a link on the heir of Taco Bell, but individual owners donate to both Rep and Dem. depending who they are.

http://www.commondreams.org/headlines02/0714-05.htm

I am a former guitar player also. Gave up on that dream! I also worked for Taco Bell back in the early 80s. Took my talents to the web (programming) I still have my site www.dynastyware.com . I have an eBay store & I daily bid on jobs on www.rentacoder.com! By all rights, I should be making money "Hand over Fist"...why is it not happening? I must also admit, I was also an "Opin Mic Comic"! I am now a machinist with 20+ years experience & I have to give my kids Ramem Noodles for dinner? Something is real bad wrong here, ok? Sorry, I need to vent. This whole thing makes me very angry. Sorry.

No need to apologize - it's worthy of anger - we got fleeced - flat out screwed by fatcat pigs. There should be more outrage really - people should flood Wall Street and the bankers and the political "leaders" who hold things up - we should be out there in large numbers being loud and angry!!!! This is not civilized - people are hungry and losing their homes - this is beyond the limit. It's healthy and good to vent. I get mad too - I've even contacted Senators, not just in CA, but others too - getting my voice out there. They're systems should crash from all the calls and emails and faxes.

Anyway, you've done some cool stuff. It's tough too with kids. I feel for you.

I'm heading to the coast to stay with friends - email your senators - if we can do it in mass - we should stand on the street corner and get on the local news - all the unemployed across the country - we need to be seen in a big, loud way. We need to be the thorn in their side.
later

If there's one thing I've noticed about the local news in the Cleveland Ohio area... being unemployed isn't considered news. The fact that over 100,000 people in the area are without a job and that this fact effects their families which probably brings the total number of people badly hurt by the economy close to a quarter million.... isn't news.

It's like the city is in denial.

Jim, I agree. Same deal here in Dayton. It's like the only people who care about the unemployed ARE the unemployed. We are treated as low-class citizens. We didn't ask to lose our jobs! I'm not sure of the number of job losses here (Dayton), but I can just look around when I walk down the street & see it is high.

They loved us when we were working & paying taxes! Now, due to their greed, we are not working & paying taxes. We are now trash! Wall Street got some priority on the H1N1 vaccine & children are forced to wait? I don't even think so! Dammit! This has GOT to fucking stop & yeah - I'm not afraid to say "Fuck" Its my constitutinal right "Freedom Of Speech"! I am on the brink of snapping! I am pissed off! I have enough! DC, get off your fat asses & do somthing! We need help! We voted you in - do your God Damn jobs!

The mood of the country is definitely turning ugly. If things continue the way they're going, it wouldn't surprise me if there's another revolution.

I must apologize! Right now, I am so pissed off that I dont care who I offend. I have a right to freedom of speach & freedom of press. I am 44 years old. Gave 20+ years to my trade as a machinist. This is my "Thank You"? I broke my ass for 20+ years just so society can crap on me just because I lose my job? i didnt ask for this! If anything, I wanted to retire from the company that laid me off. I have no-where to go & no-where to turn! I am among 16-million+ that just want to go to work & we are treated as trash as a result! Sorry for my prior comments. I am just fed - friggen - up! I say we take up our "Freedom to bear arms" and storm Wall Street! I'm sure we all saw they also got H1N1 shots while children had to wait! This is just plain out bullshit! Togeather we stand!!!!!! Speak up, people & if talking dont work....ACTION WILL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I can understand your frustration. In the 70's, I lost two jobs when the company I worked for closed. In 1980, I got a job with a company that was about to celebrate it's centennial (in other words, it had survived the Great Depression). Employees who had been there less than 5 years were still considered "the new guy." Employee morale was good, as was company morale. Every year there was a company picnic, and they had a "Quarter Century Club" for employees who had been there 25 years - and at least 10% of the employees were members.

Sounds like a company you could grow up with, right?

Nope, bean counters got in the way... and the company folded during the recession of '83-'84. I haven't found a decent job since.

This is a clear exposure of rampant greed gone wild - we were too busy working and too powerless, even though many saw it coming. We're powerless in that we don't have the comfort of financial security (or time) to impose a targeted confrontation/halt/turn-around - so we struggle to pay our bills just to keep afloat. I'm 58 - and I'm sick of this constant up and down.

Robert Riech wrote a great book about this situation, he's wise to bring up the seminal point that instead of running a country for the well-being of the people - where life cycles rule over commerce, we've been turned into "consumers" (literally, we're not worded as citizens now, we're consumers) with the focus on how much money can the fatcats accumulate no matter who suffers in their path. The focus has landed on how we can pad someone elses pocket instead of how we can live enriched lives.

We need to bring the focus back to "Who are we here to serve?" The people? or the corporations? We've got the Republican party making a business off of perpetual war - that has to stop! We've got young people dying because we've refused to face up and go green and get off our dependence on oil. Our founding fathers would be appalled. Our right to pursue happiness has been smacked down by a greedy elite - namely, about 5 or 6 of the top corporate structure that rule this country with their power and influence - paying off congress. (G.E., Viacom, Time/Warnor etc. - even Walmart who ranks #12 (economically) is larger than 161 countries! Walmart, who drives down pay and cheats their workers.

Some think this was a calculated, deliberate wall we got pushed up against. I believe there was a deliberate attempt by a certain group of people, to create a greater divide (hence the opposite language, "I'm a uniter, not a divider" as a way to "conquer" - the goal being to get rid of the middle class and force a two tier state with the poor serving the rich. This started way back - in particular with Reaganomics and it progressively got worse with all of the deregulation and hedge funds and the problems with money stashed in the Camon Islands etc. (Interesting how the people who have the loopholes or the balls to flat out cheat and lie to get out of paying taxes are the very ones who bitch about taxes and claim they pay the most - taxes could be a good thing, we could be getting something for them like they do in every other industrialed country - instead, we can't even get our potholes fixed in the streets.)

We are at a fork in the road. The masks have fallen and we're the little pauper workers who are suffering while the fatcat pigs are sucking up more than ever. Obama needs to just say to hell with worrying about the damn deficit - fuck the whiney obstructionist republican pigs - it was screwed anyway by the Bush Admin after Clinton left us a huge surplus including a surplus in jobs. Obama needs to get more of that stimulus money going and get these jobs created ASAP - It angers me that right wing fanatics blame Obama, ("our children's children will be paying for Obamenomics" crap) when he is simply here AFTER THE FACT trying to clean up the biggest mess in history. It can't happen in 10 months, it's going to a take a few years.

If I were in a position to go and wreck havoc at the front door of the bankers and wall street pigs, I'd be there in a split second with thousands of others and I'd let them pepper spray me and put me in jail for standing up to their pigness. They should be stripped of their excess and punished just like any other criminal.

Job security - pensions etc., that went out decades ago. It's pathetic how capitalism went too far. It's common sense to have balance - greed and power have knocked us down, but it's not going to do us in. It's like the saying that Angela Davis's father told her, that you have to be like a tennis ball, the harder they throw you down, the higher up you bounce!

I agree - it started in the Reagan years... specifically the day he fired all those air traffic controllers who were on strike. This was a signal to all corporations that they could blame all their troubles on unions.

Unions were the voice of the working middle class in government. In the 70's, no politician dared try to get elected without the support of labor unions. With them gone, corporate SIG's had no opposition... and from this NAFTA and all similar government action was born. Corporate middle management was also "downsized" during the 80's & 90's.

And that's how we got to where we are today. It's also where we'll stay until working middle class has a voice in government again. Once unions are back, middle management will be necessary again to supervise the union workers.

Is there any word on when/how they are going to extend HR3548 into 2010? What's the word on the "upgrade" of HR3404. I been looking on the web & seen nothing new?

I haven't heard any details yet. My guess is that they'll just change the date from 12/31/09 to 12/31/10. That's the type of thing they've done in the past on just about any other legislation that's about to expire.

Give them a little time... they didn't even realize their mistake until this past weekend. :)

I got my last check on sept 10 , does anyone know if I will qualify for this new extenion ?????

Yes, you would. I heard on CNN that those whose benefits ran out in August have to reapply for the extension.

Yes you will bill. I don't know what state your in, but in Nevada i was told by my unemployment rep that the account will automatically be replenished and all i had to do was send my weekly extension as usual.

I spoke to a customer service rep at the unemp. office (in Mass) and they told me the reason it takes weeks to get the $ is because the programs used by the feds and the state have difficulty comunicating with each other..they only had a year of extensions to get it right..what the F***

here in ohio it does not take 4 to 6 weeks.it only took my 2 weeks to get the very first extention.where are you getting your imformation JIM?

I am in Ohio also. My 1st extention, I had to call them on a Friday, filed on Sunday as usual (online) and my 1st payment deposited Tuesday via direct deposit.

I'm getting my information from past personal experience. Last year at this time my benefits had been exhausted. The EUC08 was updated to add Tier 2 last November. I got my first direct deposit on December 26th. My Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners were both mac & cheese cuz that's all that was left on my shelves.

i had talked to the ODJFS monday morning and they told me this extention's benefits payments will probably not be until the 1st week of jan 2010 due to the change over to the tier 3. plus they told me that the rules have changed on this extention.1 of the rules this lady told me was that some people will not recieve the same amounts they had been recieving and then she told me she was not telling me the rest of the rules and i was also told the the new program was not going to be in the ODJFS system until the second week of december. thats all i know so far

I'm there on the food situation. I got denied food stamps because I make too much on unemployment - a whopping 320 a week...Yet, if I'd not worked, or worked for cash or had a bunch of children I couldn't afford, I'd have qualified. I eat mostly walnuts, cottage cheese, peanut butter and eggs for protein - and there's stirfry vegetables with noodles in the frozen food section for delicious, cheap meals you can add chicken to. I trade in cans and bottles - cans get 5 cents each. But, to get denied food stamps is just wrong.

I just went through an ordeal to try to get on with the IRS then realized that it would only take me into April at the very latest, which would leave me without enough income earned to qualify for a new unemployment claim. Since it's based on a certain income level base period from two quarters during the prev. 12-15 months - of which I've been unemployed - I wouldn't have enough income. So, I decided not to go for it after all - after charging close to $70. getting my certified birth cert. expressed overnight back and forth and the fees etc.

I'm fortunate to have a house I'm going to sell in the spring - hoping prices will go up a bit. I'll never buy a house again and will use that money to go to Europe, Denmark and Greece. I hope to settle in a country who actually works for the people.

it varies from state to state, here in Mass (unfortunately) was 4 weeks the last one, I heard that NY is the fastest 1 week. I don't think these geniuses here in mass have updated their technology in 20 years...

is also depends on when you are imformed that you are eligible.here in OHIO on the last extention all i did was call them and in just a few days i got my money.

My benefit ended at august 26,09, doesn anyone know If I qualify for the extension?

call your state office

Thank god. today is a good day!!!!!!!!!!

I am in California and my benefits (last extension) ran out on Mid September. Do I get my extension.? Please some one help.

Sorry Corection. My last check was for the week endong on 8/30/2009.

Some please shed a light on my case. I am in California.

Does any one knows how many weeks this estension will be.?

I heard it is 14 weeks for some states and 20 weeks with the ones which has higher than normal unemployment ( 8 1/2 % or higher)

I am happy to hear the House has acted so quickly. This is so needed.

Now, let's all hope they can act on HR3404 a bit quicker. If not, we are all back to square 1!

Absolutely, Ronald.

Yes, I believe that everyone even people that have ran out in the past few months qualify. In fact we are suppose to get retro pay. I ran out a month ago & read into it.

From what I've read there is NO retropay. Just going forward. It's anyone who ran of benefits this year and are still unemployed. For those about to run out after the new year, we need the sunset of Dec 31st to be extended into 2010. Otherwise, you finish whatever extension you are on and that's it.

I read today that as long as you exhaust all previous extensions before December 31st 2009 that everyone qualifies.

What about people who exhaust all benefits after January 1? What happens to them? Seems there are far more who will exhaust after Jan 1 than prior to Dec 31?

For those who will exhaust after the new year, we're waiting for H.R. 3404 to get passed now. This will extend benefits through 2010. So, email and call your congressional leaders and be a squeaky wheel - we need to get heard loud and clear - with no dillydallying this time - the republicans will fight this too - they think we're unemployed because we want to be. It's nuts.

So, for all intents & as it stands now - we are basically "Up The Creek Without A Paddle" after Dec. 26, 2009?

After Dec 31st - you may finish whatever extension you are on but as it stands, you won't get to continue onto a new extension until H.r. 3404 passes.

At that point, I will be into Tier-2 (a couple weeks I believe). Just read on the Ohio site (where I live) that our Ohio Extended (federally funded) is finished on Dec 31, if I read it correctly. So pretty much, after the Tier-2 (13 weeks is up), what will I be covered under? HR3548 or HR3404?

HR3548. You'll get to finish your 2nd extension but until HR3404 passes, you won't get to start another extension because of the sunsetting at the end of the year.

My 20 week extension ends Jan 8, 2009. What does this extension due for me

Here is cut and paste from opencongress.org info:

Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2009‎
The Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2009 (H.R. 3548 in the House, S. 1699 in the Senate) would provide an additional 13 weeks of EUC for states with unusually high rates of joblessness. Workers in states with a TUR of 8.5 percent or an IUR of 6 percent would ‎be eligible, but only if those individuals had exhausted their regular UC benefits and both Tier 1 and Tier 2 of EUC payments.

Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2009
The Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act of 2009 (H.R. 3404) would continue most of the EUC provisions into 2010 and extend EUC payments through June 2011. Those provisions include:

•Extending eligibility period for EUC Tiers 1 and 2 into 2010 (currently set to expire on December 26, 2009)
•Extending cutoff date for the 33 weeks of EUC payments to June 2011 (all EUC payments are set to cease after June 6, 2010)
•Continuation of $25-per-week payment originally established by the 2009 stimulus bill
•Continued 100-percent federal funding of the Extended Benefit Program (currently set to revert to a 50/50 state/federal split on January 1, 2010)
In addition, H.R. 3404 would provide an additional 13 weeks of EUC (similar to the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act for states with a TUR above 9.5 percent. A similar Senate bill (S.1647) would set eligibility at 8.5 percent.[1]

From what I understand, if you are in the midst of an extension at the end of the year, you will get to finish it , and additional weeks have been added, but then that's it because of the Dec 31st sunset unless they pass the H.R. 3404 to extend them into 2010.

The bill that just passed is for those who have already run out - it gives 13 weeks and more if you're in a state with high unemp.

There could be problems in states with deficits - like CA - since as of Jan, the cost is split 50/50 bet. fed and state...

This is unprecedented. We really got fleeced by the previous administration who left a huge mess to fix. The new admin is trying, but it's a really giantic mess to have to clean up. I hope it's doable in a shorter rather than longer time - like a year or two vs longer than that. It's a time of rebirth - a shakeup if you will. Time to refocus on what truly matters - greed needs to be killed in it's tracks. We are not just consumers anymore, we need to reclaim our human beingness - we all deserve to live "the good life" as Artistotle talked about - we need to end this plutocracy we've been in and get back to the authentic American character we've built ourselves upon. Fatcats - sit down!!!