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Help is on the way to millions of Americans who have exhausted their unemployment benefits.
The U.S. Congress approved a bill Thursday that would extend jobless benefits another 14 weeks in all states and an extra six weeks in states where unemployment is above 8.5 percent. North Carolina is one of those states, with a jobless rate of 10.8 percent, meaning people who are eligible would get a 20-week extension.
This extension, on top of previous federal and state extensions, means eligible North Carolinians could receive a total of 98 weeks of unemployment benefits.
The latest numbers from the state show 13,055 North Carolinians were expected to lose their benefits between Oct. 20 and Dec. 19 of this year. For some the extension is the difference between staying afloat and being forced deeper into the hole of unemployment.
A graphic designer, Sarah Hanley has some big name clients in her portfolio. But despite her success, she's been out of work for more than a year. Her unemployment benefits expire in 11 weeks and she's worried.
"Yeah, and I'm desperately trying to find something; it's just not out there," Hanley said.
It's down to two weeks for Sherry Branch.
"It's coming down to the wire and I am scared to death," Branch said. "I would lose my place to stay, car, the whole nine. I mean everything would fall apart without my benefits."
And with the state's unemployment rate hovering at 10.8 percent and the holidays around the corner, Deputy Chairman of the North Carolina Employment Security Commission David Clegg said a 20-week extension could come just in time.
"Clearly there's a great need in the community for this," Clegg said.
Clegg explained the U.S. Department of Labor will have to write the guidelines first.
"I would expect that to take several weeks," Clegg said.
People who lose their unemployment benefits in the next week or two, like Sherry Branch, will have to wait.
"They may have to hang tight for a couple of weeks and not because we're not implementing -- it's because we have not been given the authorization to implement by the United States Department of Labor," Clegg said.
Still, with jobs few and far between, its money people like Sherry Branch can't do without.
"It means everything to me, it gives me a little more time to keep looking you know without having to panic about where I'm going to live," Branch said.
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Comments
By Skinard on 11/20 12:29 AM
I am 32 and have worked since I was 15 I know I have paid into this extention nicely...If I could find a job I would be ack at work... I have found waitstaff jobs to keep me going but that doesn't even come close to what I used to make or what I am qualified to do. I need this extention and maybe another one till some jobs in the IT feild start opeing up again..
By jerry morgan on 11/07 07:13 PM
i've been unemployed for 1&1/2 yrs. the only way of travel across the u.s. was train-freight ,thrumb or walk, nothing from ks. to california. stop in id. , utah, nev. , colo., neb., wy., and went to internet to find my next area to travel too. hell gave up. went home. i'll survive or i won't. wrongawy
By dlpmas on 11/07 05:08 PM
I went from Va to Maine and nother so between you and I we covered a lot of states there is nothing out there anywhere but we keep looking. Their are so many people out there the ones with degree's get the jobs. I dont have one but been in the construction business 20 years back then you didnt need one you kept your job with hard work and dependability.Thse quilities dont count much now adays.
By jerry morgan on 11/07 04:42 PM
i've been unemployed for 1&1/2 yrs. the only way of travel across the u.s. was train-freight ,thrumb or walk, nothing from ks. to california. stop in id. , utah, nev. , colo., neb., wy., and went to internet to find my next area to travel too. hell gave up. went home. i'll survive or i won't. wrongawy
By dlpmas on 11/07 03:45 PM
I worked in construction building new homes for 20 years and have been unemployed since 2007. I have looked everywhere for a job and due to the market people arent buying homes they cant afford it. I have gone to fast food places in my area and they arent even hiring because their are so many people unemployed. If ronnie thinks its that easy then maybe he should open a company and hire us all. Seems he thinks he's all that and ten some. I pray that person is never in the shoes of most americans. I havent recieved benefits in over a year and I can just barely pay my bills but I dont buy food either I buy crackers and peanut butter cause that will work for me for now.
By DarrenNC on 11/07 07:34 AM
What we really need to do is to nationalize healthcare, that will allow employers to get out there and start hiring. Just wait to see employment numbers when "cap and trade" is passed, we'll set records. And don't let me forget "card check"... Thank goodness for our elected leaders they clearly know where the priorities are! By the way the President sends the unemployed a special "shout out".
By bob pinto on 11/06 04:43 PM
Ronnie When you lose your job then you'll see how hard it is out there to find a job "Karma"
By l.williamson on 11/06 01:35 PM
Wow, who in their right mind would want to sit around and collect $200 a week, when I was making $450 a week when I had a job.Now instead of paying my entire electric bill I only pay half. I turned off my house phone and can hardly pay 4 basic cable. My rent is $750, so you do the math.
By Jim Campbell on 11/06 11:52 AM
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 a fourteen or twenty week window.
By Momof4 on 11/06 11:23 AM
Yes is see that i myself made a mistake and made an error in my spelling. QUICK IS WHAT I MEANT TO SAY ! Carry on
By Alexis on 11/06 11:04 AM
Yes by all means Ronnie why dont you let us all in on where all these jobs are ! Most of the people who are now out of work , Worked for many years including myself and my husband who now find ourselves without jobs and believe me we are out everyday looking for work , handing out resumes and filling out applications . We have 4 children and had recently moved to a home much cheaper just in-case we did lose our jobs and sure enough a week after we moved we both lost our jobs . So you tell me where the jobs are ! I wouldn't be so quiet to judge , you may be one of those people looking for a job soon or you may be what you called a lazy a** sitting at home living off your parents , Calling the rest of us lazy , Oh and Ronnie , Maybe you should return to school because you dont know who to spell, Ridiculous not Rediculous ! . Fact of the matter is NO ONE choose to be out of work , Thank your government for that !
By Xtyy on 11/06 10:11 AM
The workers and the employers have paid for these extensions over the last 30 years I believe. Nobody is milking anything. Apparently you must know where all the jobs are so why don't you share the info f*cktard!
By ronnie on 11/05 11:22 PM
Extension after extension is rediculous these people need to get off thier lazy asses and find a job, instead of milking the state.
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