File Unemployment

The Americans are insisting on lawmakers to extend unemployment benefits as seeking a job becomes harder.

Lawmakers are facing new pressure to extend jobless benefits after groups supporting the measure have started on a new round of lobbying to persuade Congress to extend federal benefits to the long-term unemployed.

An allied group of advocates including the National Employment Law Project (NELP) held more than 40 meetings with lawmakers on Capitol Hill all through the first week if the lame-duck session to make their pitch for a $30 billion extension of the program.

Various labor union, civil rights and anti poverty groups have face a tough path to winning the extension at a time when lawmakers are seeking ways to lessen the budget deficit. Lawmakers started talks at the White House to avoid the nation from going over a so-called “fiscal cliff.”

But the groups are confident that they can succeed another extension, and received a shot of confidence this week when Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) said stimulus measures must be included in any deficit-reduction package.

Judy Conti federal advocacy coordinator with NELP told, “People get it, understand why it’s important and why it could be so bad for their states”.

“We’re sensing a lot of support.”

Still, Conti and other groups are looking at the matter in the context of tax and spending that remain a main concern for lawmakers.

The groups are pressing for a 1 year extension of legislation accepted last February when Congress extended a payroll tax cut. The extension would offer a maximum of 47 weeks of federal benefits for those laid-off for more than 6 months.

Along with state-level benefits, the long-term jobless would have a minimum of 34 weeks of benefits and a maximum of 73 weeks.

Without action, 2.1 million people would be discontinued from benefits on December 29, 2012, the groups argue.

While the $30 billion price tax is pricey, supporters quarrel the cost could go down as state unemployment rates go down. The length of federal benefits is related to individual rates in states.

Some economists argue extending the benefits is a cheap price to pay provided the likelihood that costs will drop as state jobless rates fall.

“I would extend the emergency UI program as it is currently configured as it will fade away on its own as the very long-term unemployed exhaust their benefits and the economy improves and unemployment declines below the program’s thresholds,” said Mark Zandi, chief economist for Moody’s Analytics in an email to The Hill.

According to him, each week 30,000 people are falling off the rolls because of the dropping rates. He also argues that if the country financial gets worse – a particularly strong possibility if Congress takes no action to put off hikes and spending cuts from starting next year – rghe program could be mainly important.

“If the economy doesn’t improve as anticipated, then this will be an important program to have in place to offset any weakness,” he said.

This week a study by the left-learning Economic Policy Institute confirmed that continuing the extensions through next year would create spending to support 400,000 jobs.

Without a extension of the program, the economy would lose those jobs.

The report also approximates that the $30 billion would raise consumer spending and develop the economy by $48 billion, or about 0.3 percent.

Congress voted to extend the Federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program through 2013 on tuesday (1-1-2013). This means, unemployed workers who are currently collecting federal jobless benefits can continue to receive unemployment compensation. Unemployed workers who run out of state benefits during 2013 are now eligible for benefit extensions.

With the extension of EUC, more than 2 million Americans have been saved from hitting poverty.

EUC is a 100% federally funded program that provides extension of unemployment benefits to individuals who have exhausted regular state benefits. The EUC program was created in the year 2008 to combat high unemployment rates and has been amended several times.

Congress passed the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 which includes the extension of Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program and temporary extension of Extended Benefit Provisions. The President is expected to sign the bill into law as soon as today, January 3, 2013.

The legislation has not changed the number of weeks of benefits available under the EUC program, but has allowed the program to continue the same as before.

The Congressional Budget Office has estimated that the two federal unemployment programs, (EUC and State Extended Benefits (SEB)) could have costed about $30 billion for a year long extension. The extension in EUC benefits is said to create 300,000 jobs and boost economic growth by 0.2 percent in the fourth quarter of 2013.

If you are currently receiving EUC benefits, please continue claiming benefits weekly to ensure timely payment.

Note: 

Eligibility for EUC benefits depends on the date of your claim, your state and the state unemployment rate.

Keep checking state websites for updates on benefit extension and further instructions.

If you have exhausted your unemployment benefits and still meet the eligibility conditions to receive compensation in Texas,  you will be able to receive extended unemployment benefits either by State or Federal Unemployment extension programs of Texas.

Unemployment Insurance (UI)

Texas Unemployment Benefit is the pay of fixed amount on monthly or weekly basis to the jobless workers who meet certain employment criteria. Every UI claimant is expected to enroll themselves with the Texas Workforce Commission once they are laid off from their jobs. Every State of United States expects its UI claimants to continuously search and accept new jobs. This may include submitting regular work logs each time a benefit claim is filed and accepting any work that pays at least minimum wage and a gross weekly pay that exceeds the weekly claim amount received.

Extended UI Benefits

In case you have proved that you are continuously trying for the new jobs and still facing trouble in finding a suitable job for which your sponsorship benefit is ending, then you may be able to get an extension on your existing benefits.

The total amount paid to the eligible claimant will usually be equal to what they are entitled under the regular unemployment, but note that the collection time will be extended.

Eligibility Requirement for Extended Benefits

There are some eligibility requirements to be fulfilled in order to claim the extension of the compensation like:

• Base period wages must be equal or 40 times more of your weekly benefit amount. (If your regular claim pays 26 weeks of benefits, then you meet this qualification.)
• You should have exhausted all your regular benefits on your most recent claim, or the claim year must be expired.
• You must also not be eligible to receive unemployment benefits in any other state.

Types of Extended Benefit

Basically there are two types of extended unemployment benefits applicable under Texas Workforce Commission. These programs make it possible for the long-term unemployed to continue receiving monthly assistance while searching for work.

• Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC); and
• Extended Benefits (EB).

Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC):

Emergency Unemployment Compensation offers an additional number of weeks. Texas currently pays EUC Tiers 1, 2, and 3.

For the Regular UI claim you will be able to get the benefit up to 26 weeks.

Tiers of Extended Unemployment Benefits

There are four tiers of unemployment benefits at present. A tier of unemployment is an extension of a definite amount of weeks of jobless benefits. Each tier offers extra weeks of unemployment in addition to basic state unemployment benefits.
Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) Tiers through September 2012:

1. Tier 1: 20 weeks or 80% of your regular claim, whichever is less
2. Tier 2: 14 weeks or 54% of your regular claim, whichever is less
3. Tier 3: 13 weeks or 50% of your regular claim, whichever is less

You must exhaust each level (Tier) of benefits before applying for an extension.

Tier 1: If you run out of regular benefits by the deadline, TWC mails you a EUC application that you complete and return to TWC. If you are eligible for EUC, TWC mails you a letter showing the amount you are eligible for on your EUC claim.

Tier 2 & 3: If you run out of your prior EUC tier by the deadline, TWC automatically adds the next tier to your claim.

Extended Benefit (EB)

Under Extended Benefits, the additional extension of benefits is offered once EUC is exhausted.

Unemployment Extended Benefits program for Texas provides up to 20 weeks of additional compensation after all federal unemployment extension payments have been received. Eligible workers can receive either 20 weeks of benefits or 80 percent of an initial unemployment claim, whichever amounts to less.

Along with the state unemployment extension, the federal government may add to the available benefits by enacting an extended benefits program of its own.

Due to the current economic situation, those who are obtaining unemployment benefits are now entitled to extend their benefits by 13 to 20 weeks. Customary unemployment insurance lasts for 26 weeks.  When there are elevated levels of unemployment in your state,  you will receive an extension of benefits. A soaring level of unemployment is described as a rate above 6%. Your state will inform you about the unemployment extension when your traditional benefits are about to run out.

Want to know how long does this extension provide benefits in your State?

Benefits Extension by State – Available Weeks

The following table shows number of weeks of extension allowed in each state. Everyone will be eligible for UI benefits. EUC and EB benefits are determined based on the current unemployment rate in the State.

UI: Unemployment Insurance (UI) programs offer the basic unemployment benefits to eligible workers who become jobless through no fault of their own, and meet specific other eligibility requirements.

EUC: There are presently four Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) benefits extensions available. Each Tier provides additional weeks of unemployment other than the basic state unemployment benefits.

EB: Extended Benefits (EB) are available to workers who have exhausted usual unemployment insurance benefits all through periods of high unemployment.

Unemployment Extension Tiers

As already mentioned, in the United States, there is a usual of 26 weeks of unemployment benefits, known as “regular unemployment insurance (UI) benefits”. There are two programs for extending UI benefits.

• Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC)
• Extended Benefits (EB)

Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC)

A Tier of unemployment is an addition of a certain amount of weeks of unemployment benefits. There are presently four Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) benefits extensions available. Each Tier provides additional weeks of unemployment other than the basic state unemployment benefits.

• EUC Tier 1 offer up to 20 weeks or 80% of an individual’s maximum benefit amount from their original unemployment insurance claim, whichever amount is less. The individual should have had their initial claim filed May, 7, 2006 or later on and worn out their usual unemployment insurance benefits. February 26, 2012 was the last date a EUC Tier 1 claim may be filed. EUC Tier 1 is 100% federally funded.

• EUC Tier 2 gives up to 14 weeks of 54% of an individual’s highest benefit amount from their original unemployment insurance claim, whichever amount is less. An individual must tire out EUC Tier 1 benefits so as to obtain EUC Tier 2 benefits. An individual must wear out their EUC Tier 1 claim by benefit week ending March 3, 2012 (one week later than EUC Tier 1), so as to be entitled for EUC Tier 2 before March 6, 2012 ending date of the program. EUC Tier 2 is 100% federally funded. EUC Tier 2 was extended from 13 potential weeks of benefits to a 14 potential weeks of benefits. The additional week of benefits is not payable previous to November 8, 2009.

• EUC Tier 3 provide up to 13 weeks or 50% of an individual’s maximum benefit amount from their actual unemployment insurance claim, whichever amount is less. An individual must run out EUC Tier 2 benefits in order to receive EUC Tier 3 benefits. An individual must exhaust their EUC Tier 2 claim by benefit week ending March 3, 2012, so as to be qualified for EUC Tier 3 before March 6, 2012 expiration date of the EUC program. EUC Tier 3 is 100% federally funded. Under federal legislation, EUC Tier 3 is depending on states averaging a 6.0% UI Trigger rate over a three month period and is not payable before November 8, 2009.

• EUC Tier 4 offer up to 6 weeks or 24% of an individual’s maximum benefit from their original UI claim, whichever amount is less. An individual must exhaust their EUC Tier 3 claim by benefit week ending March 3, 2012, so as to be qualified for EUC Tier 4 before March 6, 2012 expiration date of the EUC program. EUC Tier 4 is 100 % federally funded. Under federal legislation, EUC Tier 4 is based on states averaging an 8.5% UI Trigger rate over a three-month period and is not payable before November 8, 2009.

Extended Benefits (EB)

Extended Benefits are obtainable to workers who have tired usual unemployment insurance benefits all through periods of high unemployment. The basic Extended Benefits program offers up to 13 extra weeks of benefits when a State is undergoing high unemployment.

Alterations to Extended Unemployment Tiers

There are no modifications to the tiers of extended unemployment benefits through May 2012. Jobless workers will continue to be eligible for up to a maximum of 89 or 99 weeks of unemployment through May, based on the state and its 3 month average unemployment rate.

The highest number of weeks of unemployment will be decreased to 79 weeks starting in June and 73 weeks starting in September. The maximum somebody is qualified for is based on a state’s jobless rate.

There are no changes to state UB. Unemployed workers will still be eligible for up to 26 weeks of state UC.

Commencing in June, unemployment benefits will steadily be reduced to a maximum of 73 weeks in high unemployment states and 63 weeks in states with a lesser unemployment rate. Other changes beginning in June include linking Tier 2 availability to a 6% state unemployment rate and rising the unemployment rate for Tier 3 to 7%.

Besides, EUC benefits, unemployed workers will continue to be eligible for up to 20 weeks EB which is based on the state unemployment rate.

Here’s a summary of how the tiers will alter, the number of weeks included in each tier, and the state jobless rate which sets off the extra tier of benefits.

Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) Tiers through May 2012

• Tier 1: 20 weeks
• Tier 2: 14 weeks
• Tier 3: 13 weeks if the state unemployment rate is 6% or higher
• Tier 4: 6 weeks if the state unemployment rate is 8.5% or higher unless state doesn’t have EB, then 16 weeks

Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) Tiers June – August 2012

• Tier 1: 20 weeks
• Tier 2: 14 weeks if the state unemployment rate is 6% or higher
• Tier 3: 13 weeks if the state unemployment rate is 7% or higher
• Tier 4: 6 weeks if the state unemployment rate is 9% or higher

Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) Tiers September – December 2012

• Tier 1: 14 weeks
• Tier 2: 14 weeks if the state unemployment rate is 6% or higher
• Tier 3: 9 weeks if the state unemployment rate is 7% or higher
• Tier 4: 10 weeks if the state unemployment rate is 9% or higher

Maximum Number of Weeks of Unemployment

With the changes, the maximum weeks of available unemployment benefits depending upon location are:

From March through May – The level of UI benefits continue equal to an addition of present law, and high unemployment states losing benefits under the EB program would receive an additional 10 weeks. Between 89 and 99 weeks of total Unemployment benefits accessible in high unemployment states between the EUC and the EB program.

From June through August – The unemployment rate requirement would rise in three of the four tiers of the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program. Up to 79 weeks of total benefits are obtainable in high unemployment States with a few states continuing to obtain extra EB weeks as under present law.

From September through December – EUC benefits would be lessened by 6 weeks in all States. This would limit total unemployment benefits at 73 weeks by this fall.

How to File for Unemployment Benefits Extension

1. Check your state’s unemployment extension qualification criteria. The rules for unemployment and unemployment extension are dissimilar in each state. Start exploring the unemployment extension eligibility criteria particular to your state. There are often two different unemployment extensions, one in state funded while the other funded by the government.
2. Gather all personal information necessary; and reapply. Collect all of your information you needed upon primarily filing unemployment; your work histories, your reason of unemployment, and your social security number. In order to obtain an unemployment extension, go to your state’s unemployment website, or call the employment security department. Apply for your unemployment extension.
3. Wait for the mail; the paperwork comes in the mail and your checks must keep coming. Once you have applied for your unemployment benefits, wait for the paperwork and the payments that will follow. Bear in mind that you can be inspected on your job search at any time; keep through job search records with reliable contacts to confirm receiving your application.

US congress has implemented a 2012 unemployment benefits extension in the highest unemployed states in the country. Nearly overshadowed by debates, Congress is wrestling with how to increase the unemployment benefits that are about to expire. This emergency unemployment compensation is certainly a necessity and has been extended by Congress nine times since they were first passed in June, 2008.

It didn’t come as an easy task for Congress to agree on as many people believe the extended benefits for unemployed restricts people to hunt for work. The Republicans think that the job training plan would allow the employees to continue to receive their benefits while temporarily working with a company.

According to most studies made, the extensions have increased the number of Americans who became re-employed by 1.3 percentage points in January 2011 by reducing the share who excited the labor force.

Congress looks for unemployment extension for the states that need it much more than others. For example, unemployment in Ohio still high and it  has nearly 787,000 unemployed. Ohio would have seen its benefits fall to 23 weeks from the standard 26 weeks as of 2012 if the extension was not pushed for.

Senior supports both parties and predicts that the emergency benefits for the long term unemployed will be extended. But the lawmakers are still deciding over how long and what strings needs to be attached to an extension. The debate is paralleling the fight between Republicans and Democrats over extending a payroll tax holiday that also lapses at year’s end. The parties are in disagreement over how to cover the cost of that tax-break extension in the current fiscal environment.

Democrats rallied to call attention to the impending drop of the unemployment benefits which have allowed the long-term jobless to collect income support for up to 99 weeks. They argued that it would not be fair to allow the compensation to lapse while unemployment remains high.

According to an estimate provided by House Democratic staff, if Congress does not take necessary action, nearly 6 million people will lose benefits next year. House Democrats have introduced legislation earlier this November that would extend the insurance program through 2012. An extension of unemployment insurance squeaked through in December as the Democrats and the Republicans decided to extend up to 99 weeks of benefits through 2011.

The US Senate passed a bill with overwhelming support from senators of both parties and the backing of Obama which had a provision for extended unemployment benefits for two months in 2012. This means the federal extended unemployment benefits will continue to be paid for even those nearing the end of the maximum 99 weeks.

As stated by National Employment Law Project (NELP) paper, nearly seven million Americans who are sustained by government unemployment checks are at risk. For these people, their benefits are set to expire in 2012 unless a unemployment benefits extension law is passed. About two million people will lose their benefit checks in January and another 4 million over the remainder of 2012. These checks average about $300 per week which is only 50 percent of money required to cover the basic necessities of food, housing and transportation in the US as per the annual Consumer Expenditure Survey.

As per a statement in The Hill News newspaper, the possibility of the two month of extension may not be the best holiday present but it gets the jobless through the first part of the year for those who are eligible to receive unemployment benefits. Republican and Democratic senators could not agree on a yearlong deal for 2012 and have opted for the two-month extension. The bill still needs to be affirmed by the House of Representatives and acknowledged by President Barack Obama.

According to a statement by White House communications director Pfeiffer, Obama would approve the extension into law if it reaches him but it’s not clear whether the Republican-led House will pass it next week. However, as per Kevin Smith, a representative of Speaker of the House John Boehner of Ohio, they have not signed off on anything and are yet to take decisions after talking to their members.

Congress must make a decision early 2011 what it wants to do after February once the two month extension passes. The Democrats wish for a maximum of 73 weeks of benefits extension while the Republicans desire fewer.

You have lost your job that provided all the financial support. Now what? Obviously this is not the time to doubt in your abilities and feel depressed. Take a step back and use job search links to look for a stable income. But the first thing you need to do is to file for unemployment insurance benefits.

The initial 26 weeks of unemployment benefits just aren’t enough. An extension of unemployment compensation will let the benefits flowing to millions of unemployed workers in the country. This means that the jobless workers should be able to move to the next tier of benefits if they are eligible for extended benefits. So all hope is not lost. You can still keep a roof over your head and food on your table by doing several things.

An extension of benefits allows a continuation of unemployment compensation payments beyond the standard 26 week period. Moreover, it would also help the people who are out of work and finding it difficult to find a new job in an economy in recession.

There are two types of extended unemployment benefits:

•    Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC): Emergency Unemployment Compensation offers an additional number of weeks that depends on the unemployment level in your state.

•    Extended Benefits (EB): Under Extended Benefits, the additional extension of benefits is offered once EUC is exhausted and the time taken to receive the additional benefits depends on the level of unemployment in your state.

Your state should report you about applying for an extension just when your benefits are about to expire. However, it is safe to contact your unemployment office to know about an extension a few weeks before your period of regular benefits is complete. You will be asked to meet the same eligibility standards required for regular benefits in order to qualify for an extension.

Congress voted April 15 2010, the last day for jobless workers to claim for extended unemployment benefits till in June 2 2010, President Barack Obama signed a law. This law restored the federal unemployment benefits to over millions of jobless Americans.

Benefits are divided into tiers and the claimants should file for these benefits whenever they move into a new tier. In total, getting an extension for unemployment benefits makes it possible to receive up to 79 weeks of benefits (26 weeks of traditional benefits + 33 weeks of EUC + 20 weeks of EB) if you live in a state with a high rate of unemployment.

Congress has decided to go on with the federal extended unemployment benefits programs which were set to expire on December 31, 2011 through February 2012. In every tiers of Federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC), the legislation has extended the availability of benefits for two months.

Your State Unemployment Office website has every detail of when and how benefits will be paid as well as who qualifies for these extended benefits. The only way to avoid unemployment scams is to claim for extended benefits through your state employment office as you are not allowed to apply on third party websites, even if they say they will file for you. Typical unemployment scams include websites that offer to file for extended unemployment benefits or unemployment benefits for you. It’s important to know that you are the only person who can apply online for benefits.