NC Extended Unemployment (Cary: 2010, foreclosures, mortgages)

[Frrrunkis!]

Hey...I did a search for an answer to this question, but I couldn't find anything. Especially since a topic like this one might get a different answer in different states and at different times.

This is my final week of the 26-week regular unemployment (boy that went quick)...and now I need to apply for extended benefits. I've been told that I just need to keep filing each week and that my expired status will trigger on the NCESC's end and they'll send me a determination letter to see if I qualify for extended benefits. I've seen a few answers to who gets the extension (based on your wages for the previous 5 quarters or something like that?), but is there anything else I'm missing? Has anyone (I'm sure there's a quite a few of you) shifted to extended benefits and is there any process for getting approval?

It just gets to be a stressful time when you got bills to pay and well...your unemployment just ran out and then you hear, "well...you may or may not qualify for an extension." Scary.

[NewUser]

I believe that I transitioned to extended benefits this week also. I called the Cary ESC office 2 weeks ago and they said to just keep filing as normal and it will take care of itself. Supposedly the first extension lasts for 20 weeks and there is a second extension that lasts for 13 weeks. Man I hope I don't stay unemployed that long to find out.

[Frrrunkis!]

Originally Posted by NewUser

I believe that I transitioned to extended benefits this week also. I called the Cary ESC office 2 weeks ago and they said to just keep filing as normal and it will take care of itself. Supposedly the first extension lasts for 20 weeks and there is a second extension that lasts for 13 weeks. Man I hope I don't stay unemployed that long to find out.

You and me both!

It almost makes me wonder though...there's been like 6.5 million people that have lost their job since December 07...almost half of which have lost their job since December 08. Alot of those people are not finding work and will eventually come off unemployment. They've got mortgages, car payments, credit card bills (some of which are raising interest rates astronomically, like mine), etc...when their unemployment dries up, we may just see a spike in bankruptcies, foreclosures, etc. It's gonna get nasty and I can only hope to stay afloat and find something.

Really scary...especially right now when you look at your unemployment balance and it says $0.

[Drson81]

my mom has been on it for just over a year. They keep adding on months.

[jdljr]

Originally Posted by Frrrunkis!

Hey...I did a search for an answer to this question, but I couldn't find anything. Especially since a topic like this one might get a different answer in different states and at different times.

This is my final week of the 26-week regular unemployment (boy that went quick)...and now I need to apply for extended benefits. I've been told that I just need to keep filing each week and that my expired status will trigger on the NCESC's end and they'll send me a determination letter to see if I qualify for extended benefits. I've seen a few answers to who gets the extension (based on your wages for the previous 5 quarters or something like that?), but is there anything else I'm missing? Has anyone (I'm sure there's a quite a few of you) shifted to extended benefits and is there any process for getting approval?

It just gets to be a stressful time when you got bills to pay and well...your unemployment just ran out and then you hear, "well...you may or may not qualify for an extension." Scary.

When your regular UI runs out, you may be eligible for up to three extensions...EUC08 Tier 1, EUC08 Tier 2, and EB. Tier 1 EUC08 is 80% of the original amount, Tier 2 EUC08 is 50% of the original amount and EB is 80% of the original amount. For example, if your weekly benefit amount in regular UI is $300 a week for 26 weeks, then your Tier 1 EUC08 would be $300 per week for 20 weeks, and your Tier 2 EUC08 would be $300 per week for 13 weeks. Then your EB would be $300 per week for 20 weeks. So your weekly benefit amount remains the same, but your duration is less, thus reducing your EUC08 benefit to 80% and 50%. As long as you're monetarily eligible (see below), each extension should be automatic (it's just that behind the scenes your benefits are coming from a different pot of money). If you're monetarily eligible for the Tier 1 EUC08, you will be monetarily eligible for the Tier 2 EUC08 and the EB. Each extension should be seamless and transparent to you. Just continue to certify each week as you have been, and if you meet the eligibility guidelines to receive the extensions, there should be no gap in payments.

If your benefit year runs out you'll have to file a new claim. If your new claim sets (you have enough wages in the NEW base period), any extension money on your previous claim is lost. The weekly benefit amount will likely be different on your new claim than on your old claim because of differing wages in your new base period compared to your old base period.

If you do not have enough money in the new base period for a new claim to set, you MUST at least ATTEMPT the new claim (even though it won't set) and then you may likely be allowed to draw the remaining EB that was left on your old claim.

Monetary eligibility - One misconception many people have is that when their regular UI runs out, they'll automatically get an extension (because so many do). THIS IS NOT THE CASE. There is a mathematical formula applied to the wages in the base period that must be met in order to qualify. That formula requires that your total base period wages MUST equal 1-1/2 times the high quarter in the base period. Anyone who does not meet this requirement is monetarily ineligible for an extension. AND, not everyone qualifies for the same duration of benefits/extensions. Regular UI pays a minimum of 13 weeks and a maximum of 26 weeks. Therefore, if your regular UI paid for only, say, 16 weeks, then your extensions would be 80% (EUC08 Tier 1), 50% (EUC08 Tier 2) and 80% (EB) of the 16 weeks while your weekly benefit amount remains the same.

You can figure your claim duration for regular UI by adding the total wages in your base period, then divide that number by the high quarter in the base period, and multiply that result by 8.66. Minimum is 13 weeks, maximum is 26 weeks.

Good luck to you!

[Frrrunkis!]

I don't think I could've asked for a more precise, better answer.

Thanks jdljr!!!

[willydilly]

Also, something not mentioned here--The EUC08 program runs through the end of 2009, only, but the last payments can be made through June 2010.

I am near exhausting my 26 weeks of unemployment. Based on the formula above, I qualify for Tier 1 EUC08 for an additional 20 weeks, which would get me through the third week of Feb. 2010. However, it is my understanding that since my Tier 1 will run out AFTER January 1, 2010, I will NOT qualify for Tier 2 of EUC08, because the program ends in December 2009.

This is a negative for me (if I'm still out of work). Perhaps I'd qualify for NC's EB program if I'm still unemployed after exhausting Tier 1 of EUC08 in Feb. 2010. My original benefit years ends in March 2010, so I think I'd be safe in terms of qualifying for EB and maintaining my original payment amount. Not certain.

[rhc43]

Originally Posted by jdljr

Monetary eligibility - One misconception many people have is that when their regular UI runs out, they'll automatically get an extension (because so many do). THIS IS NOT THE CASE. There is a mathematical formula applied to the wages in the base period that must be met in order to qualify. That formula requires that your total base period wages MUST equal 1-1/2 times the high quarter in the base period.

My regular UI benefits are running out very soon. For clarification on the mathematical formula quoted above, is it that your total base period wages MUST be EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN 1-1/2 times the high quarter? My total base is greater thatn 1-1/2 times my highest quarter so I think I qualify based upon the formula but wanted to be sure since the original formula only specified "equal." Thanks so much if anyone is able to clarify and I pray that all of us will find new employment very soon!

[jdljr]

Originally Posted by rhc43

My regular UI benefits are running out very soon. For clarification on the mathematical formula quoted above, is it that your total base period wages MUST be EQUAL TO OR GREATER THAN 1-1/2 times the high quarter? My total base is greater thatn 1-1/2 times my highest quarter so I think I qualify based upon the formula but wanted to be sure since the original formula only specified "equal." Thanks so much if anyone is able to clarify and I pray that all of us will find new employment very soon!

Yes, you are correct. Total base period wages must be equal to or greater than 1 1/2 times the high quarter in order to be monetarily eligible for an extension.

[eiafjam]

What is the high quarter?