Unemployment Benefits Extension Approved by Senate, November 2009

This is a big problem.  After benefits are gone, what's next?  You have to qualify for welfare and that.s a catch 22 as well.  I think extending benefits and working on a workable solution to solve unemployment is the way to go. 

Extending benefits is a band-aid -- just a temporary fix.'Cowpoke is right when he says solving unemployment is the answer.How to do that?  Eliminate payroll taxes and fund Social Security, Medicare, unemployment and the rest with a 2% national sales tax.  No question it would work -- bring unemployment back down to 5% if not better.But congress doesn't have the stomach to propose a regressive tax.As for Obama, he's promised no tax increases for the under $250k/yr crowd.  Something that radical -- too MUCH change for I'm afraid.  So, unfortunately, we'll have our 10% unemployment for at least another year, get used to it.  ..and in they on-deck circle:  INFLATION.  Sorry to be so negative, but somebody's gotta tell it like it is. 

Thank you is all i can express in this time of need! Thank you so I am not homeless!!!

oddsox

The value added tax is basically regressive and a flat tax that I am philosophically against because percentage wise it affects the middle and lower income levels disproportionately.  However, if a federal VAT would guarantee the unemployment rate would decrease, I would be in favor of it for a limited run, perhaps one year.  This kind of tax can encourage reduced spending, but because the profits remain stable at the supplier/manufacturere/retailer level, production could stay stable and increase employment and growth.  At least thats the way I understand it.   

It's definitely something to think about considering so many people are unemployed and jobs are at the forefront in most conversations.

when will our benefits be in effect? will it be retroactive?

My current benefits for my third extension runs out on Jan 9th 2010.  Will I qualify for the other 20 weeks as I live in CA?

About the only problem I have with a national sales tax to fund certain programs is the same problem we are having here in Michigan.  Tax revenues from sales tax are way down in the past few years and since some program's funding is tied to the tax the funding is just not there.  So SS unemployment and medicare could get hurt pretty bad during tough times.  i.e. right now

Unfortunately the way I read the new legislation is that your benefits must be scheduled to end in December 2009, thus "DEENA SHI," I don't believe you are covered under the new extension, thus your benefits are scheduled to end Jan 9th, 2010.  And that is a damn shame b/c you just missed an extra 3 1/2 months of extended benefits.  If anybody knows differently then correct me if I am wrong, but I think I am right here b/c that is how I read it. Good Luck, Freakie, a newly founded bar exam failure for the state of MD for Nov.7th., so what do I know, right?

when will the extended unemployment be signed and when will the people who have not received a check since september start getting a check

Thank god our president is looking out for us   Our gov. in NY isn't.   Why when so many are unemployed,   I work consruction,   would our governor stop state reconstruction and put so many out of work.    His bandaid for state defisate is to make everyone buy new licience plate at 20 bucks a pop wether their dew or not      foolishness

This law did not one create one 20 weeks extension.  It created oneadditional week of eligibility for EUC Tier 2  , 13 weeks of a newprogram called EUC Tier 3, and 6 weeks of a new program called EUC Tier4.  That totals 20 weeks.However, the federal rules require that you cannot move from one tierto the next after December 31, 2009.  Consequently, those that startreceiving their 13 weeks of EUC Tier 3 on the first payable date, whichis the week ending November 14, 2009, will exhaust their 13 weeks EUCTier 3 after December 31.  Consequently, they wont be allowed, byfederal rule, to transition into EUC Tier 4.Congress passed a bill that authorized 20 additional weeks but wrote itin such a way that no one will qualify for the full 20 weeks.  Its myunderstanding that Congress is aware of this issue and is consideringnew legislation to extend the December 31 cutoff date, which would solvethis issue. THEY POSTPONED ALL THIS FOR ALMOST 2 MONTHS AND THEY STILL GOT IT WRONG.... WHAT ARE WE PAYING THESE IDIOTS FOR??????

You got that right "NRG", mines run out in Jan 2010 also, how could they make a mistake like that? So the people who have been unemployed the longest gets more benefits??? but us who have not been unemployed that long don't qualify? My neighbor informed me with a smirk and actually taunting me, bragging how her husband has not had a job in two years and he gets another extention and she said since I just applied last december I don't get the extention. I was ticked because this is my life, single mother with 4 boys, they have none and she thought it was funny! I should have slapped the toothless, missing toe pig!