by Mike Rheaume
Member since:
September 9, 2009

President Obama to sign unemployment benefits extension bill HR 3548 into law today

November 06, 2009 10:38 AM UTC (Updated: November 06, 2009 11:12 AM UTC)
views: 0 | comments: 57

President Obama is scheduled today to put his signature to HR 3548, the unemployment extension bill that's been struggling to make its way out of Congress for over a month. Thousands of unemployed Americans will applaud this move by Congress and the White House. Despite the protracted process of getting the bill through the Senate after an initial version was passed in the House, this is much-needed legislation that will help unemployed Americans whose benefits have or will run out in all 50 states.

Unemployment is now at 10.2% nationwide and shows no sign of decreasing anytime soon. Tens of thousands of job losses are expected.

In high employment states, for people receiving the maximum 20-week extension (instead of the standard nationwide 14 weeks), unemployed workers could potentially receive up to 99 weeks of benefits. That's just under two years of unemployment benefits; a gigantic total. This would be the highest ever.

Also included in this bill is an extension of the homebuyer tax credit to April 2010. The bill totals $24 billion in economic stimulus through these programs.

The more than $21 billion cost of the homebuyer tax credits would be paid for largely by delaying a tax break for multinational companies that pay foreign taxes.

The cost of the unemployment benefit extension, about $2.4 billion, is offset by extending a federal unemployment tax that employers must pay.

Comments: 57

Jim Harmon Nov 6, 2009, 11:10am UTC
Update: The new numbers for October put unemployment at 10.2%
Mike Rheaume Nov 6, 2009, 11:13am UTC
Thanks for the update, Jim.
Jim Harmon Nov 6, 2009, 11:25am UTC
I find that number very disturbing. Things seemed to stabilize for August and September, but now there's a 0.4% jump. It would seem that last month's numbers were a fluke rather than the beginning of a trend.
jeanne crowell Nov 6, 2009, 11:15am UTC
I was just wondering. My benefits will run out in the 2nd week of jan. in illinois. Will I get the 20 extra weeks.?
daniel ray Nov 6, 2009, 11:18am UTC
i may be wrong but i think that you would be entitled to another 14 weeks
christopher curry Nov 8, 2009, 5:03pm UTC
I am not sure how it will work in IL but in California the Fed extension is only active IF YOU CURRENTLY have run out of benefits -- read this from the CA site. I think it may apply everywhere though:
http://edd.ca.gov/Unemployment/New_Federal_Unemployment_Insurance_Extensions.htm
Linda Batchelor Nov 9, 2009, 12:35pm UTC
Chris: I live in California. Our web site says we are entitled to two weeks that will not be retro. It also states the "Although the new extensions do provide the potential for up to 20 additional weeks of benefits for higher unemployment states, including California, it is likely six weeks of those benefits won't be available due to pending federal filing deadlines at the end of the year." I don't know what that means. If there are loopholes that are preventing the additional 6 weeks or not. The first week of eligibility is weeke ending November 8th, 2009. they will start fresh and not provide retro pay for those who ran out prior to. If someone knows what the federal filing deadline at the end of the year is, please let me know as I am in the dark. I ran out of unemployment extensions on Sept 1st. I still have no job and I have been unemployed for nearly two years. I look in the paper and go on line everyday.
daniel ray Nov 6, 2009, 11:16am UTC
finally now when will the first checks come out start coming hopefully before thanksgiving
Jim Harmon Nov 6, 2009, 11:23am UTC
How long it will take depends upon your state. I've heard that some states can take as long as 2 months. Ohio usually takes 4-6 weeks before they're prepared to begin disbursement.
Jim Campbell Nov 6, 2009, 11:17am UTC
Money is an energy that flows throughout economies. Unemployment benefits assist individuals but also encourages that flow. That is its real importance. It is also important that all people be focused on their personal "in flow" whether that be via a job or starting a business. If you are searching for an earning vehicle visit http://www.LikeSoup.com and begin looking past fourteen or twenty week windows and further into your future. Your life deserves forward thought.
jeanne crowell Nov 6, 2009, 11:23am UTC
According to the old bill everything runs out dec. 26, 2009. What is the timline on this new bill?
Jim Harmon Nov 6, 2009, 11:29am UTC
To the best of my knowledge, the old timeline is still in effect for all the extensions that existed last week. It would seem that as of Dec 27, people will be drawing their first week of this latest extension.

I'm hoping there will be action to renew the date for the earlier extensions.
Char H. Nov 6, 2009, 5:58pm UTC
Jim, I read that differently. It seemed to further extend even the earliest benefits, and establish a full tier for anyone who had already expired, with no payment available to anyone after Dec 2010. Did I read that wrong?

To restate more clearly, I thought anyone already in extended benefits got these in addition. Was tht not how you saw it?
Jim Harmon Nov 6, 2009, 11:27am UTC
Has their been any mention whether or not the E-Verify amendment that had been attached to this bill was included in the version that was passed? If it was, this could certainly lengthen the amount of time it takes to begin sending out payments.
Brenda H. Nov 6, 2009, 2:32pm UTC
The e-verify provision was not included. The only amendments were 1) the homeowner credit extension and 2) a tax profit carryback provision that was previously in effect for small businesses which was extended to medium and larger businesses in this bill.
Jim Harmon Nov 6, 2009, 2:54pm UTC
I'm glad to hear this. Even though I am a natural born American citizen, it would take time, effort & most importantly money I don't have in order for me to come up with the necessary documentation to prove this fact.
Brenda H. Nov 7, 2009, 12:03am UTC
Jim,
This was one of those Republican add-ons that had nothing to do with unemployment compensation. Just FYI, it would have 1) made e-verify (a tool for employers which is an integrated set of databases to verify or question citizenship when a person is hired) mandatory for all federal contractors and 2) made it permanent, without an expiration date.

I thought the courts and the administration have already said that federal contractors must use it, but on the point of making it permanent, currently it must be renewed by Congress before it expires after the most recent 3 year extension. Unless you find a job, you don't need to worry about this one...You should be so lucky... :)
Jim Harmon Nov 7, 2009, 12:20am UTC
Thanks for the info. From what little I had heard (which was VERY little), I thought it was the one amendment that was actually relevant to the unemployment extension.

Even if I am lucky enough to find a job, I strongly suspect it won't be with a federal contractor.
Brenda H. Nov 7, 2009, 12:30am UTC
No problem -- you're welcome.
Gregory Fotty Nov 6, 2009, 11:38am UTC
The new bill only applies to people who exhausted their benefits before 12/27. Congress already said that they're going to have to revisted this issue again before the end of the year. So if your last date of unemployment is in january then this extension does not apply. The full bill is available at openccongress.org.
Jim Harmon Nov 6, 2009, 12:34pm UTC
I went to opencongress.org, but couldn't locate the page that gave the full text of the bill as it was passed by the senate. Can you provide a link to that page?
Char H. Nov 6, 2009, 6:36pm UTC
Jim, it was a very big pain finding it! But this is after it changed 97%.

http://www.opencongress.org/bill/111-h3548/text?version=eh

Officially the version Engrossed in the House or EH

Sorry, will have to copy and paste as did not know how to save in link format.
Char H. Nov 6, 2009, 6:38pm UTC
It seems as if open congress thinks once as bill is passed, noone will ever view it again.
Brenda H. Nov 7, 2009, 12:17am UTC
Here's the bill in final form:
http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/D?c111:5:./temp/~c111QrmPKA::

The problem with analyzing it is that it is simply amending a prior bill, specifically, Section 4002(c) of the Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2008 (Public Law 110-252; 26 U.S.C. 3304 note), but I have been unable to locate 4002(c) -- it only goes up to 4002(b) on this version:

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/F?c110:1:./temp/~c110WES8Su:e84821:

The link is to the June 2008 version, which I believe was amended as part of the stimulus package, which is where (c) was probably added. That version does not have a 4002(C).

So far it is a mystery to me, but I may find it. You would have to look at both pieces of legislation to understand what it is doing. But I might find it if I have time...
Gregory Fotty Nov 7, 2009, 1:39pm UTC
Yea I printed out both of these bills and there definitley are pieces missing. Congress makes alot of money I dont understand why they cant just take the extra 2 hours and rewrite the bill out. All they really have to do is copy and paste the new admendments into the old bill and change the name. They set it up anyway by saying insert 4002(b) into paragraph bla bla bla. Why couldnt they just finish it off?
Gregory Fotty Nov 6, 2009, 11:39am UTC
In New York the first week that you can claim on this new bill is november 15th. And it runs the full 20 weeks, as long as New York stays about 8.5%, I dont see the number dropping below that though within 14 weeks.
Robert Sutton Nov 6, 2009, 11:41am UTC
The wording still confuses me. My benefits ended at the beggining of October, and I live in Indiana, a state that is over the extra 6 week threshold. So what does the 27th of December determine? Your end date on benefits had to be before that date to get an extension? Or does the extension end on that date.
Gregory Fotty Nov 6, 2009, 9:16pm UTC
This bill is only for the people who will exhaust their benefits before the 12/27 date. Anyone after does not qualify for the extension. Congress already said that they're going to have to revist this issue before the end of the year for the people that exhaust their benefits after that date. If you qualify for the new extension and you do, the extension runs past the old december deadline for the 20 weeks.
Char H. Nov 6, 2009, 10:55pm UTC
Greg, The way I read the bill, is Tier 3 is for everyone. The part about not paying before it began is the only limitation I see. And, I think they might cut off tier 2 for those who have not yet started it prior to Dec? This verbage is also to prevent the states from having to deal with making up for periods while benefits were expired. That is the way I read it, but am not a lawyer, are you? (seriously, wish I knew one to give an opinion). We all know Congress meant to extend the whole umbrella until 2010.
Gregory Fotty Nov 7, 2009, 1:33pm UTC
Nope wish i was a lawyer i would not be out of work right now. I would be making a fortune right now writing up bankruptcies and foreclosures. Stupid me for picking civil engineering as my career. I honestly only think this extension is for people who exhaust before the december deadline. Congress has another bill called H.R. 3404. That bill is suppose to extend the deadline to what you said, i think late 2010. There is an admendment in the bill that was just passed, but its under the Extension of Unemployment For the Railroad Workers or whatever they're called. That extends the date from 12/30/2009 to 12/30/10, but the reason I think this doesnt apply to everyone is first cause its called the railroad workers unemployment and second it says 12/30/09 not 12/27/09. I mean I could be wrong about all of this. But from what I've been hearing everyone who hasnt exausted their benefits before that december date is out of benefits until congress passes h.r. 3404 or a similiar bill. Right now everyone is reading the bill (us, and the department of labor), so once someone actually figures it out we'll know exactly whats going on.
Gregory Fotty Nov 7, 2009, 1:45pm UTC
Unless congress did it like this. After the december 27 deadline everyone is entitled to the new extension. You'll get paid whatever extension your in unless you've exhausted your benefits until dec 27. If you still have a balance after that date from the old extension then that balance drops to 0 and you automatically start at week 1 of the new extension the next week. I dont know tho, thats just me thinking. I really dont see that anywhere in the bill tho.
jeanne crowell Nov 6, 2009, 12:05pm UTC
I do not understand the point of this bill. It was hyped to help those running out of unemployment or soon to run out the first of the year. The 3 tier program was to end dec. 26,2009 . It is still the same .Jobs were being puked out of the economy the first 6 months of the year. What about us. From what I can tell, someone who's tier 2 runs out 2 weeks before me will get 20 more weeks ,and I get nothing. I really don't get what the point of this bill was.
Jim Harmon Nov 6, 2009, 12:38pm UTC
Another poster here has said they'll be revisiting the 12/26/09 expiration date before it becomes an issue.

My take on it is that even if, by some chance, it's not resolved you'd still be eligible for the extension that Obama signed this morning.
Gregory Fotty Nov 6, 2009, 9:25pm UTC
Congress did this extension for the long time unemployed. They said its for the people that have been unemployed for a year to 2 years. I know its not far but they had to make a cut off at some point. The arguement now is that its not any easier for people who've been unemployed for 6 months vs. the people that have been unemployed for 2 years to find jobs. Congress said that they're going to have to do something about it before the december 27th cut off date because 2 million people are going to loose benefits at the end of the year. this bill was passed because at the beginning of october some 400,000-500,000 people ran out of benefits because they've been unemployed for so long. Im sure they're going to pass another bill which is H.R. 3404, which extends the deadline date of dec. 27th 2009 to dec. 27th 2010. People might go without benefits for about a month or so before they pass it, like everyone did this last month. But im sure they will address it, they cant afford 2 million people to loose their homes and not pay their credit cards and stuff. This is all speculation tho. You need to keep checking to see what the senate and house are doing about H.R. 3404.
Gregory Fotty Nov 6, 2009, 9:29pm UTC
I meant i know its not "fair"...
jeanne crowell Nov 6, 2009, 12:18pm UTC
Is there any thing in congress adressing extending the date for the rest of us, and where does it stand. What about the $25 extra a week?
Jim Harmon Nov 6, 2009, 12:36pm UTC
Last I knew, the $25/wk addition was only supposed to last for a period of 26 weeks. While I have heard talk that the expiration date of the bill has been pushed back (allowing more people to collect all 26 weeks), I haven't heard any talk that additional weeks have been added to the payout period.
jeanne crowell Nov 6, 2009, 6:31pm UTC
I got the $25 for my first 26 weeks, and am also getting it on my 20 week tier 2 extension,
Gregory Fotty Nov 6, 2009, 9:48pm UTC
I dont know about the extra 25 dollars actually... I totally forgot about it. I think it might run out at the december 27th date? But im not sure. Im sorry about all the post if its annoying. Ive jus been sittin on my butt for the past month and learning as much as i can about these bills and the process cause ive been too broke to leave my house. My benefits ran out 10/4..
Carl Wirkkala Nov 6, 2009, 12:43pm UTC
All fifty states will recieve 14 weeks strangely enough however is that to recieve the additional weeks provided for hardest hit states defined as : (8.5%for 3 consecutive months) you would have to exhaust the 14 weeks before the end of 2009. It is not possible for anyone to exhaust the fourteen weeks before the end of the year because there are only 7 weeks left in 2009 thus the proposal to revisit the issue before the end of the year.
Jim Harmon Nov 6, 2009, 2:12pm UTC
Where did you see the requirement that all 14 weeks of this extension would have to be exhausted by 1/1/10 in order to be eligible for the additional 6 weeks?
Carl Wirkkala Nov 6, 2009, 7:32pm UTC
C-SPAN #2 Discussions on HR 3548
Carl Wirkkala Nov 6, 2009, 12:53pm UTC
I should say that the proposal to revisit the issue would be to try and rectify the SNAFU with the additional 6 weeks that is impossible to collect.It would have to be attached to some other legislatiion and we all know how the REPUBLI-CONS deal with any legislation.Say hello to my little NO!
Char H. Nov 6, 2009, 5:54pm UTC
Did anybody read the final bill? Looks like to me the required 8.5% went through as 6.5% to judge the depth for Tier 4. Did I read it right?
Gregory Fotty Nov 6, 2009, 9:43pm UTC
They changed tier 3 from 8.5% to 6.5% so every state would qualify for the 14 weeks. I guess its political stuff they didnt just want to put in the bill that "every state qualifys for this act". The tier 4 i believe is only for the 26 or so states above 8.5% that are goin to get the extra 6 weeks. But heres the catch congress has to approve the extra 6 weeks before they can be liquadated to the states, so it could be more republican against democrat bull, before they approve tier 4.
Char H. Nov 6, 2009, 10:28pm UTC
I just pulled all the bills and the 3304 note, boy is tht a mess!! Looks like they already have me established at tier 2 (for 2 weeks now) and I think I will get 3 and 4. No problem qualifying for 4, new layoffs and we're over 11% already. This is not turning around with 2000 Govt layoffs announced for next yr. here. We are gonna get a lot worse before better!
Truth Always Nov 6, 2009, 6:33pm UTC
I read online that Virginia was one state not accepting the extension.... because it would put a strain on the smaller business owners to have to pay higher taxes into unemployment benefits.. Which makes sense... I guess it is like robbing Peter to pay Paul... and it was also, supposed to go by whatever states had the hightest rate of unemployed.... Virginia, is still fairly low ...
norman chambers Nov 6, 2009, 7:36pm UTC
Oregon just extended our unemployment benefits. Believe me; If I could get a job in my profession right now,I'd be working; I'm no deadbeat!-Norman
Char H. Nov 6, 2009, 10:39pm UTC
Ditto Norman! Have worked all my life, very grateful for unemploymt in this unusual time.
Prima Donna Nov 7, 2009, 8:52am UTC
That is true for most Americans, Norman. I have three people in my own family right now, all college educated and hard working who have lost their jobs. One is young, pushed out because she didn't have seniority. Another is a teacher who moved to another state to be with her boyfriend, only to find there is a moratorium on hiring teachers. The other's job was completely eliminated and he has a wife and four kids to support.
jeanne crowell Nov 7, 2009, 12:21am UTC
I ain't no deadbeat either. I worked my job for 20 years. I was laid off feb.(fri.) the 13th. 2009 Since then ,I have turned 61. I can't even get an interview. I truely thought I would retire from there.I didn't have much in my 401k and lost a chunk of that during the freefall.I just never expected this at my time of life.
Ken Zeitler Nov 7, 2009, 12:19pm UTC
jeanne-I was laid off in Dec 2009 and am in same boat. From what Iam reading and from support from nelp.org and a senator from Wa. it seems that another extension will be added before congress adjoirns before yearend. Our President is behind it and since the Republicans in Senate have set precedent I feel we will receive 14 to 20 additional weeks consequently. Dont know if $25 bucks is included but have faith and keep pursuing work . God bless.
Gregory Fotty Nov 7, 2009, 6:40pm UTC
I just got word that the new extension only applies to people who filed their initial claim on or before october 27, 2008. Anyone after that their Unemployment Benefits run out on december 27, 2009. Look up bill H.R. 3404, this is the bill that is going to extend that deadline. The new extension does not end at the december 27th deadline. It runs the full 14 weeks plus the 6 weeks without interruption.
William Koch Nov 16, 2009, 1:41am UTC
Gregory,

Since I just started my 20 weeks of EUB (as of Nov. 8) and it will run through the middle of Feb, will this current bill affect the next 20 weeks OR is that what H.R. 3404 is to address?

I have worked all of my life and have a technical education background. I have been taking classes at the local colleges (I had seen this mess coming for years) to brush up on some skills and direct my knowledge toward a different degree. Being 44, I now need to focus on a career that is going to help me for the next 20 years or so.

Have you any ideas as to how to jump start the economy? I have a few ideas and my friends believe I should run for a political office. LOL!
jeanne crowell Nov 8, 2009, 1:24am UTC
I'm confused, do we sign up again when our initial year runs out. From what I can figure the way the base period goes I had a quarter and a half in the next year. Which would probably mean a substantial drop in unemployment benefits.I thought I had it all figured out , but I keep reading new info. I know in Illinois you have to have two quarters in.

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