Those collecting unemployment benefits are noticing a $25 decrease in their check

If you are actively receiving unemployment benefits or have been affected by the slow action of Congress to extend unemployment insurance benefits, you may have recently noticed that the extra $25 per check is no longer available.  This program was called the FAC (Federal Additional Compensation) and was included in the Recovery Act.  This added benefit was not renewed in the tax cut bill which also extends unemployment benefit for 13 months.  The latest extension does not reauthorize the full force of ARRA and this, sadly, is a consequence. 

This is a question that I have received by email from readers and after researching the matter it seemed appropriate to share with everyone.  The Extended Benefits package from the Recovery Act is the only part of the stimulus that still remains.  The Extended Benefits provision allows for persons to continue to receive unemployment assistance after they have exhausted the maximum amount of unemployment tiers (depending on their state's) unemployment rate.

Warm wishes to the readers and contributors of this blog.   Your continued input has helped unite and provide valuable information to all of the unemployed unable to find work this year.  Just because Congress has abandoned the needs of the unemployed, everyone has proven to stand by each other even though we all know it's bitter cold, gas prices are rising, the economy is getting better for some, and there's not enough hands reaching out to lift people up. 

This Christmas this blog wishes that the government sees the needs for more hands up and doesn't look upon those as just having a hand out.  It's the wish that the relentless pursuit of the 99er movement continues on to other issues relating to employment issues as more and more jobless gain employment.  It doesn't have to all just end - there's always a cause.  Let's start with employer discrimination from hiring unemployed workers.

Can we raise the federal minimum wage yet?  What... they got a tax cut that will cost everyone who is re-entering the job market close to $500 billion in revenue that could have been used to pay down the debt.

Will Obama Notice 11th Hr Unemployment "99er" Bill?

Will Obama Notice 11th Hr Unemployment "99er" Bill?

Tax cuts and unemployment insurance reauthorization become law [video] - National Political Buzz | Examiner.com

Tax cuts and unemployment insurance reauthorization become law [video] - National Political Buzz | Examiner.com

Obama says no tax cuts for the rich without an extension of jobless benefits - National Political Buzz | Examiner.com

Obama says no tax cuts for the rich without an extension of jobless benefits - National Political Buzz | Examiner.com

Vote Today Fails To Get 2/3 Of The House

The US House of representatives failed to receive a super majority vote today under suspension of the rules to extend HR 4213 for another three months.  FIREDOGLAKE also has the vote today tallied at 258-154 (falling shy of the 2/3 needed under suspension of the rules).  This bill was brought quickly to the floor and just announced yesterday.

With a vote of 258-154 in the House the bill is certain to pass the House of Representatives soon but no one knows how long the wait will be in the United States Senate or if they will be able to meet the deadline that is counting down on the right panel of this blog.  More information as it is known will be posted.

There is no indication whatsoever that additional weeks of unemployment will ever be added beyond the maximum possible amount of 99 weeks.

House Democrats Push For 3 Month Extension Of Unemployment Benefits - No Tier 5

WASHINGTON -- House Democrats on Wednesday introduced a bill to prevent two million people from losing their unemployment benefits during the holidays.

Congress has until the end of the month to reauthorize federally-funded unemployment benefits currently supporting five million long-term jobless (practically, they have just until Friday because of a Thanksgiving break next week). If the federal benefits are allowed to lapse, waves of people will prematurely stop receiving them, with two million people facing a cutoff by the end of the year.

Full story:  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/17/house-democrats-push-for-_n_784996.html

Obama pushes for extension of jobless benefits as weekly claims rise - The Hill's On The Money

Obama pushes for extension of jobless benefits as weekly claims rise - The Hill's On The Money