Unemployment benefits exhausted in December
First I want to thank you for your informative and compassionate coverage during this crisis. My unemployment ran out in December and now my chance of finding work is unlikely. Now my husband is also laid off. I have heard very little about whether unemployment benefits will be extended/reinstated for those that are in this “black hole” with unemployment? Right now the IDES website says they are awaiting direction from the federal government. The New York times stated that those “recently” unemployed would also be covered. Do you have any insight? Thanks!
Terry Says
Yes, and I’m afraid it is not good news. If your benefits ran out last December, I think it is very unlikely they will be reinstated. Nowhere in the legislation does it say anything about reinstating benefits lost before the date of the legislation. There is a plan — eventually — to extend benefits that were existing at the time of the legislation, and new after that date.
But unemployment claims are handled by the state. And, amazingly, each state can set its own time and work requirements for qualifying. Federal law can supersede the state law — but that would be for after the legislation was passed.
I understand how trying it is when two people lose their job. Your husband will, of course, apply for state benefits, and get the bonus of $600/week federal on top of that. Eventually. when the state website gets caught up!
I have actually contacted the Governor’s office about that and am assured they are working on it — but frankly right now I sense it is a lower priority than the health issues. Sorry.
