Thousands Of Tennessee Residents Cannot Certify For Weekly Unemployment Insurance Benefits - Other States, Same Issue

This is a brief statement from the Tennessee Department of Labor/WFD:

Last week, the United States Senate adjourned without passing legislation to extend the expiration date for the EUC, FAC and EB provisions beyond June 2, 2010.  Congress is scheduled to return the week of June 7, 2010 and it is expected that the Senate will take up the House-passed version of HR 4213 at that time.  At issue is whether any future extension will be retroactive to address the “coverage gap” that will be created beginning June 2, 2010, if no legislation is in place.

Any regular Tennessee Unemployment Compensation claim that exhausted benefits with week ending 5/22/10 should have transitioned to Tier 1 for the phase-out period.  As of now, Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) new claims or transitions to the program will expire with the date of 06/02/10.  If a claimant exhausts a Tier-1, Tier-2 or Tier-3 balance on weekending 05/29/10, the claimant will be entitled to set up the next Tier on 06/01/10.  No other entitlement is allowed.  If a claimant has set up on EUC by application or transition entitlement that week, the claimant will be allowed to draw out any balance in that part (Tier) of the program.  No other funding/entitlement will be set up after that date unless the National Congress approves another extension period.  That is unknown at this time.

The Extended Benefit (EB) program will stop according to state law on June 5, 2010.  No balances will be paid out, and no new entitlement will be set up after that date.  According to Federal law if an individual was receiving EB and has not drawn a Tier 2XTRA week or had any Tier-3 entitlement set up, the claimant may do so for weekending June 12, 2010.  This is the only entitlement that will be allowed the claimant.  After that amount has been received no further benefits will be paid unless Congress authorizes an extension of the dates for Federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation or Extended Benefits.

Source:  http://www.tn.gov/labor-wfd/unemployment_ExtendedBenefits_Nov2009.html

In effect, if you are on a current unemployment tier of benefits - you will not be able to certify until Congress resolves this issue when they return from break this week.  Is there anyone out there still receiving benefits who happens to have links to resources or are from other states having this same issue? 

If you are in the State of Tennessee you may email:  john.partlow@tn.gov and he can assist with your claim and give you information.  More on this issue will be posted when it is known.

UPDATE:  Us Unemployed Blogsite has learned that the issues with certifying in the State of Tennessee have now been resolved.  If you are still experiencing problems, call the claims center or try to certify again tomorrow. 

Tennessee Unemployment Rate 10.5% - 661,107 Unemployed In Tennessee Will Need A Tier 5 Unemployment Extension

Based on data from the United States Census Bureau, Population Division, the current estimated population for the State of Tennesee is 6,296,254.  The most recent numbers for unemployment in Tennessee from the Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics is 10.5%.  Based on this raw data, that equates to 661,107 jobless in the State of Tennessee.

Each and every one of these jobless in Tennessee deserve to have unemployment insurance as long as they need the assistance until the job market fully recovers. Just like all of the other states, there are not enough jobs for every unemployed person. Congress needs to implement a Tier 5 for unemployment assistance for the long-term jobless.

Senators Bob Corker and Lamar Alexander need to be doing all they can to alleviate the state's job shortfall; not just voting "No" to the needs of the unemployed. Until the job market recovers, the absolute least thing these Senators can do is support and introduce legislation that extends the amount of weeks available for the unemployed in their state. If there are not enough jobs, there are not enough jobs. It's that simple. There should not even be a need to debate it. The debate should be over how to get the assistance to these people fast enough.

The contact information for Senators Bob Corker and Lamar Alexander is here:  http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm?State=TN

The unemployed in Tennessee are sharing resources and communicating information through this blog and also at Unemployed-Friends.com and Money Smart Blog.  These are the links to those sources: 

Money Smart Blog (formerly known as Four Pillars) - Tennessee Unemployment Benefit Extensions - 20 More Weeks?

Representing the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development, John Partlow visits this forum and answers questions for the unemployed in Tennessee.  If you have a question regarding your claim that the unemployment offices cannot assist, please send Mr. Partlow an email at John.Partlow@tn.gov

Unemployed Friends - Tennessee

This is another popular online forum where the jobless in Tennessee are sharing resources and vital information. 

The official websites for the unemployed in Tennessee to file a claim, obtain information, or do weekly certifications are located at:

The offiical page for the State of Tennessee - Department of Labor and Workforce Development

Or to file a claim, weekly certifications, or to view payment history, visit:  http://tennesseeanytime.org/labor

If anyone out there knows another resource for the unemployed in Tennessee to share vital information, please post that information in comments.  The goal is to offer all states the most useful and relevant resources for information, communication, general help, and any other concerns regarding unemployment.