UNEMPLOYMENT EXTENSIONS: WHO'S IN AND WHO'S OUT !!!

[Daanyeer]

Source: http://www.kval.com/news/local/99986049.html
By Kelly Koopmans


SPRINGFIELD, Ore. -- Kimberly's Tainter's mother, Bonnie, no longer receives unemployment benefits.

After ten years of working in alterations she lost her job and began receiving unemployment benefits. That was about two years ago -- now she's known as a 99er.

So, what's that? A 99er is a person who has received unemployment benefits for up to 99 weeks.

At that point they have exhausted all avenues of unemployment limits. They have also reached the legal limit a person can receive benefits.

But when Kimberly Tainter’s mother heard about congress passing the Unemployment Compensation Extension Act into law on July 22, she assumed her benefits would be extended.

But that was not the case.

“My mom called the state employment office last week,” said Tainter. “She wanted to find out how she should go about getting into the new extension. They told her she's not qualified.”

Tainter's mother has exhausted all unemployment benefits. So what does that mean? Who qualifies for unemployment anyway and how long does it last?

When someone is first laid off they can apply to receive 26 weeks of benefits paid for by a state trust.

At the end of those 26 weeks, if they are still unemployed they can qualify for up to 53 more weeks of benefits. That's paid for with federal money under the Emergency Unemployment Compensation program.

As of this point the beneficiary has received 79 weeks of coverage.

From there people can qualify to receive benefits through a four-tier system. That cost is split 50/50 between the state and federal government. Within this level, people can qualify for up to six, 13, 14, or 20 weeks of benefits depending on what they made in their job.

If someone begins at the regular 26 week claim and exhausts all the levels of unemployment, they reach 99 weeks and benefits end.

Employment officials say many people thought the unemployment act meant they could qualify to receive additional benefits.

Craig Spivey of the Oregon Employment Department said it’s a common misconception.

“A little bit of confusion was when the act was first signed by congress and it was reported or came across that it was another or new extension of benefits,” said Spivey. “That’s simply not true.”

Spivey said the act simply extends the deadline for people to apply for benefits.

The extension will cost taxpayers about $400 million and will cover 110,000 Oregonians.

For the 99ers benefits will end, but they’re not giving up hope yet.

Many of those left out of the extension are pushing congress for a fifth tier of unemployment benefits. But as congress heads into recess, it’s not likely a fifth tier will be a reality anytime soon.