South Florida Sun Sentinel
6:38 p.m. EDT, October 13, 2009
Floridians who are unemployed, as well as the jobless across the country, say they're troubled Congress is taking so long to pass an emergency extension to unemployment benefits.
If passed, about 250,000 unemployed Florida residents could receive up to 20 weeks of benefits. Advocates for the unemployed hope the Senate
Democrats' version will pass by week's end.
"Nobody knows what's going on. I'm waiting and waiting like a lot of other people," said Marlene Kirschner, a widow in Boca Raton who was laid off from a retail store more than a year ago. Social Security covers her mortgage payment, but unemployment has helped pay her other bills since she lost her job. "They don't want to hire a 73-year-old woman," she said.
Last week, Senate Democrats reached a compromise plan that would extend unemployment aid to all states of 14 to 20 weeks, with more weeks going to those states with the highest rates of unemployment. The bill passed by the House gave extra benefits only to the hardest-hit states.
Newly appointed Sen.
George LeMieux, R-Fla., plans to vote for the extension, according to his spokesman.
Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., also supports the compromise, his spokesman said.
Once the Senate acts, its version then would likely be passed quickly by the House for President Barack Obamas' signature, said Judy Conti, federal advocacy coordinator for the National Employment Law Project, an advocacy group for the unemployed. "We're optimistic they will move quickly."
As of September, over 400,000 workers exhausted their federal jobless benefits, and another 200,000 are expected to do so this month. In Florida, 114,508 residents will exhaust benefits by year-end without an extension, according to the National Employment Law Project. The group says nearly 50 percent of jobless workers cannot find jobs within the first six months of receiving benefits, up from 37.2 percent a year ago.
In recent weeks, the
Sun Sentinel has received numerous e-mails from the unemployed across the country asking when they can expect an extension. Many say they're facing eviction and homelessness.
"People like me are hurting. Many have exhausted their benefits in September. [Congress] is so out of touch," said John Carey, 38, of Sarasota.
He has been looking for a job in the food and beverage industry for more than a year. "It's not like there are tons of jobs out there, that people are just being lazy and want a handout," Carey said.
If passed and signed by Obama, the legislation would then go to the Department of Labor, which would give instructions to the states. Usually, federal extensions are automatic for those unemployed still receiving benefits. Those whose benefits have expired may have to apply for the extension.
It's also unclear how far back in time the extension will go for those who are still unemployed. Conti said under the Senate bill, anyone whose benefits have run out won't get a payment retroactive to their last check. But they could get 20 weeks going forward.
The proposal also includes a modification to the stimulus package to allow families receiving food stamps to remain eligible while receiving an additional $25 per week in unemployment insurance benefits.
The extra benefits would be paid for by extending the federal unemployment tax on employers.
Marcia Heroux Pounds can be reached at mpounds@sunsentinel.com or 561-243-6650.
Copyright © 2009,
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
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