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113 Weeks of Unemployment

Thursday Sept 8, 2011

Debra Saunders notes that advocacy groups like American 99ers Union want their unemployment benefits extended from 99 weeks (two years) to 113 weeks. As one of you noted in a comment on the blog, don't these guys plan to go back to work?  Remember that unemployment benefits come from taxes on employers so higher unemployment taxes have to cut into actual job creation, again just one more reason not to hire someone. As she say, since you can only get the unemployment check ( and stay home to visit with Oprah and Judge Judy) by staying unemployed, it's hard to see the benefit. 

My personal experience with such folks is that after they pass the three month mark, no job seems good enough. It just gets easier to rationalize being unemployed. 

As Previously mentioned, it seems the better idea is to have the check dwindle each week to remind the person that being unemployed is not their new job. Remember the endless benefit extensions for Katrina evacuees, same thing. 

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3 responses to “113 Weeks of Unemployment”

  1. Phillip Garcia Avatar
    Phillip Garcia

    I saw on the History Channel that during the Great Deprecation (1930s) President Roosevelt had an unemployment benefit plan which is to give the unemployed a paycheck but they had to Work! For example, building a dams, roads, etc. I agree with you that today’s unemployment benefit plan is just to give people money and they don’t have to work for it. I believe that we need to go back to President Roosevelt’s unemployment benefit plan which is to give the unemployed a paycheck, but they must work for it!

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  2. raquel Nunez Avatar
    raquel Nunez

    Like they do for welfare and foodstamps, maybe they should have people work volunteer 40 hours weekly for that $150 a week unemployment check and job search, maybe it will help the people find a job faster. I go on unemployment for 12 weeks every summer from my job, I took advantage of it going to school full time. So i can finish and avoid unemployment in the future because it is not easy, especially being a single mom.

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  3. Diana M Herrera Avatar
    Diana M Herrera

    I dont think that it is the number of weeks that should be extended. They should fix the way they track the progress of the unemployed. Right now, all you have to do is call in and say that you applied at a number of places. Either over the internet or on the phone and then they send you a check. Even if you applied for a job that you are not trained for. Example: appling for a Management position, when you are a short order cook. You know that there is no chance of getting this job but it counts as one application you enter.
    It’s too easy!!!

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