Obama extends benefits for unemployed
Kevin Holloway
The economic downfall of last year left many Americans jobless and filing for unemployment.
Many of whom have had their benefits run out, but have filed extensions to keep money coming in while searching for jobs.
Although two tiers of extensions are available to those who qualify, in many cases it’s not enough to last until adequate employment is found.
As of Nov. 6, President Obama signed a bill extending benefits for 14 weeks of extra coverage for every state, and an extra six weeks for the high unemployment states where the rate is higher than 8.5 percent.
If after the first 26 weeks of unemployment benefits are used up, two extensions can be granted if all requirements are met.
However, after the extensions are up, there is a Federal Additional Compensation (FAC) available to all who initially qualified for benefits, which adds an additional $25 to the initially awarded benefits.
Payments will keep coming until this program ends, whether people on regular benefits or an extension.
The first payable day for the new extension is said to be Nov. 14, according to www.unemployedworkers.org.
Legally the money can’t be dispersed until Nov. 15, when benefits become available.
Arizona currently has an unemployment rate of 9.1 percent, which seems to be about a median rate when compared nationally.
Some states have unemployment rates as high as 15.3 percent like Michigan, and some as low as North Dakota rating at only 4.2 percent unemployed.
Last September, Arizona had a rate of 6 percent unemployment, that’s a 3.1 percent jump in just one year.
The rate of unemployment is still on the rise as companies continue to go under due to the lack of economic stimulation.
With holidays coming soon, many companies are looking for seasonal help for the next few months, but after Christmas most of those opportunities go away.
The Arizona Department of Economic Services regularly updates their Web site with any new information on benefit extensions and benefits in general.
