Unfortunately, people tend to paint with a ‘broad brush’, in assuming that everyone on unemployment is lazy. I wouldn’t call anyone a leech (as spiltmilk stated) unless I knew the entire situation or story. Some are actively looking for work, looking to acquire a new skill set, willing to relocate etc...but not everyone, as simple human nature would predict.
I know two near ‘99ers’ here in town, and they almost wear that badge with honor. Neither has done anything other than look for similar job at similar pay to the one they lost, and continue to look in the same labor market/area they live in. Both complain about the lack of funds provided by unemployment payments, but I guess they’re not that uncomfortable that they have looked to change fields or move to where a job might be or even to take a lesser paying job (or two).
I don’t know what to think at this point...but continually extending the jobless benefits past two years doesn’t seem like a good answer. Not to sound cruel, but at a certain point certain people need to be placed in a more ‘uncomfortable’ situation just so they do something else, anything else, to be productive.
How long is ‘too long’ for unemployment benefits??
I agree that the answer to "how long is too long" is a tricky one. However, the extensions that have continually been funded have not extended the term over 99 weeks. The recent legislation (not passed) would extend the term one can claim unemployment for three months, provided they have exhausted their initial claim - up to 99 weeks.
People who are only vaguely familiar with unemployment hear the word "extension" and the term "99ers" and immediately believe people are being allowed to collect UI forever. This is not the case. Currently, my own claim expires after 26 weeks. Without an extension, I'm done.