Bye bye unemployment benefits (states roll off the federal extended benefits program - 200,000 hit)

CNN ^ | 5/11/12 | Tami Luhby

[Libloather]

Bye bye unemployment benefits
By Tami Luhby @CNNMoney May 11, 2012: 3:17 PM ET

NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- More than 200,000 long-term jobless Americans will lose their unemployment checks this week, when eight states roll off the federal extended benefits program.

Nearly half of them live in California, and the rest reside in Florida, Illinois, North Carolina, Colorado, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and Texas.

The federal extended benefits program has provided the jobless with up to 20 weeks of unemployment checks after they've run through their state and their federal emergency benefits, which together last up to 79 weeks.

But the extended benefits program is expiring throughout the country as the economy improves. To be eligible for these benefits, a state must show that its unemployment rate is at least 10% higher than it was in at least one of the past three years.

[skr]

How will the government know they’re looking?

[WinMod70]

I think you got it. We are going to hear all summer how the left is trying re-re-extend unemployment but those mean Republicans won’t let it happen.

[BooBoo1000]

If you go to North Dakota, and get a job, you can expect to work long hours, cold weather, hard work. Not like nice warm jobs on the assembly line.

[newzjunkey]

It has been and continues to be misery for a lot of people that once had good paying jobs. While the government wastes billions we can't even keep taking care of our own till something turns. And people blast at the unemployed.

This country is sick!!

Amen and bless you.

[Safetgiver]

Sorry, but you can use your head, too. A guy in our county (I personally do not know him but a LOT of my drinking buddies do) got sick of being unemployed and cashed in his 401k, bought 5 fifth wheel RV’s and hauled them out there in his brand new (leveraged) pick up. He doubled his money on the first, came back for the second, doubled up again and had his brother in law haul number four while he hauled number three. On number five he doubled up, sold the pick up and flew home. He is still doing this and has other people clamoring for the chance to drive his RV’s out. One of the drivers stayed and became a baker for one of the mancamps. Others are thinking about going out when their unemployment is up, soon. There are plenty of jobs there. And don’t forget the drillers in PA work exactly like the conditions out there.

[rbg81]

Well, in all fairness, looking for work can be a pretty intense activity if you do it seriously and methodically. And, in case you’re wondering, I’ve been continuously employed since I was 21.

[Bernard]

The article doesn’t mention that employers in Iliinois and other states are paying a higher Federal unemployment tax rate because the state hasn’t paid back loans to the feds. Just helps make the business environment that much less friendly, but it is probably too complicated for a reporter to grasp.

[ballplayer]

So the Manipulation of the Unemployment numbers By Obama and his Henchmen is going to Upset a Lot of people,sounds good to me. After all there are jobs a Plenty since the Economy is firing on all cylinders,OBAMA,OBAMA,OBAMA!!!! Hope and Change Yeah!!! 4 More Years ,4 More years! We cant wait, We Cant Wait! FORWARD!Forward!!!

[ballplayer]

I agree the country is sick,I have Sympathy for Families who are suffering ,I have none for those who Voted for this Marxist and are in Bad shape,they get what they deserved

[Sacajaweau]

Not for nothing....but this money goes right back into circulation keeping the “survival” (food, shelter, clothing” market relatively stable. A little different from the welfare market which is never ending and growing.

[wiggen]

it goes up if they seek jobs. they get thrown out of the labor force if they don’t.

[Rational Thought]

Like Newt said, "hey--99 weeks is an associates's degree." Or a certificate in a marketable skill. Too many 'Merkins sit on their ass and say "Hell no I ain't workin' for no chump change."

Sounds great in theory. Problem is, in a large portion of the Country, there just aren't enough (or any) jobs available. What's amazing to me is how this administration and it's media have been successful in changing the public perception. Even though the job situation is still at depression like levels, the huge number of unemployed seems to have been forgotten, almost as if the bad economy is something in the past.

If they (the administration) can sell this (false) perception, seems to me they can sell just about anything.

[wiggen]

Too many here think its a matter of not wanting to work. Its rough out there.

[wiggen]

some will get ssdi. others might be able to retire. the ones seeking work(don’t ask me how they know)but had not been are back in labor force.If they sought work the whole time they always were in labor force. first 2 would be out of labor force.

[combat_boots]

The Rush thread, with the transcript from the caller, Mike:
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/2882750/posts

I heard that call. Illuminating....

[capt. norm]

More than 200,000 long-term jobless Americans will lose their unemployment checks this week,

And many will apply for disability checks...that NEVER end.

[akapossumdawg]

I have a MBA and over 30 years of experience in telcom but due to a heart attack, age and the horrible economic policies of this President I am now working as a Produce clerk at Publix. I could have moved to another country and taught college but I decided to stay in the USA for the great health care we have. And my wife and children live here too. My story is often repeated at Publix and other places where under employed folks are just happy to have a job.

[carton253]

Hear! Hear!

[wrencher]

Those illegals are not all Mexican either despite the common perception. How many of those CA Asians are illegal also? Let CA collapse, their cities full of loser libs would be a good place for some anarchy and destruction in the coming race riots. No sympathy for CA.

[khelus]

There are two sources of information published by the BLS on employment. Figuring out what bits of information goes where can be confusing. The way the media reports on unemployment does not help.

I. Household Survey Data

The unemployment rate is based upon a survey of 60,000 households, not the number of people collecting unemployment. Many recognize the Household Survey Data are more accurate representation of employment/unemployment that the Payroll Survey.

The main sources of 'enhancing' the unemployment rate are moving people out of the civilian work force, and seasonal adjustments.

II. Establishment Survey Data

OTH, the number of jobs created is based upon a survey of employers. This is the source of the number of new jobs created. The number collecting unemployment is used for the annual benchmark revision of numbers in the payroll survey. The payroll numbers are revised for at least two month after they are published.

The main sources of 'enhancing' the number of jobs created is the black box through which raw numbers are processed. The black box consists of the birth and death model and seasonal adjustment.