When will CA raise its umemployment benefit? (employment, wage)

[909er]

They have been paying $450 a week since 2005, that's 10 years. Many states are over $600 a week, and CA is one of the highest cost of living areas in the nation. You can't survive on $450 a week, and sometimes it takes months for 1) jobs to open and 2) go through the interview and screening process and get hired. You need a lot more than $450 a week

[Cream1]

More incentive to get a job

[909er]

yeah but it has to be a job that's worthwhile, and supports the cost of living. Going to a temp service for $9/hr out of desperation is actually worth less than the $450 on UE.

I fully advocate working, I'm just saying that gaps in between employment can be long, and $450 don't cut it.

[nightlysparrow]

Be grateful you get it for 26 weeks. In FL, you'd only get 14 weeks, NC 15, KS 16, GA 17 weeks.

[PDR2015]

Originally Posted by 909er

yeah but it has to be a job that's worthwhile, and supports the cost of living. Going to a temp service for $9/hr out of desperation is actually worth less than the $450 on UE.

I fully advocate working, I'm just saying that gaps in between employment can be long, and $450 don't cut it.

The length of unemployment and size of UE benefits is something that will really be debated to no end. However, the problem you cited of having to choose between working versus taking UE reflects a poorly designed system that can be improved. IMO, it's best if they just give those out of work a lump sum UE payment OR provide a new payout structure whereby people aren't penalized for wanting to get back to work, even if at a lower wage for the time being. ie if a person makes $300 from a low wage job, they should be able to get at minimum, another $150 from UE so they're at least equal to not taking the job. This way the person gets to choose whether it's a good idea to pass on a job that can get them back into the workforce for the time being.

[seain dublin]

Originally Posted by nightlysparrow

Be grateful you get it for 26 weeks. In FL, you'd only get 14 weeks, NC 15, KS 16, GA 17 weeks.

Exactly, and FL maxes out at $275, and most there aren't even getting that amount. In CA pretty much anyone making a halfway decent wage will get the full amount.