WASHINGTON – Some of the states that have drained their unemployment insurance funds are cutting the number of weeks that a laid-off worker can count on those benefits. Legislators are trying to limit tax increases for businesses to replenish the pool and are hoping the federal government keeps stepping in when the economy slumps.
Michigan, Missouri and Arkansas recently reduced the maximum number of weeks that the jobless can get state unemployment benefits. Florida is on the verge of doing so. Unemployment in those states ranges from 7.8 percent in Arkansas to 11.1 percent in Florida.
The benefit cuts come as legislatures deal with the damage that the recession inflicted on state unemployment insurance programs. The sharp increase in the number of people who lost their jobs drained the reservoir of money dedicated to paying out benefits.
About 30 states borrowed more than $44 billion from the federal government to continue payments to laid-off workers. Many states hastened the insolvency of their funds by keeping balances at historically low levels going into the downturn.
The burden of replenishing the funds and paying off the loans will fall primarily on businesses through higher taxes, but the benefit cuts are an effort to limit the tax increases.
States usually provide up to 26 weeks of benefits to laid-off workers. Michigan and Missouri have cut that to a maximum 20 weeks. Arkansas went to 25.
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Michigan, Missouri and Arkansas recently reduced the maximum number of weeks that the jobless can get state unemployment benefits. Florida is on the verge of doing so. Unemployment in those states ranges from 7.8 percent in Arkansas to 11.1 percent in Florida.
The benefit cuts come as legislatures deal with the damage that the recession inflicted on state unemployment insurance programs. The sharp increase in the number of people who lost their jobs drained the reservoir of money dedicated to paying out benefits.
About 30 states borrowed more than $44 billion from the federal government to continue payments to laid-off workers. Many states hastened the insolvency of their funds by keeping balances at historically low levels going into the downturn.
The burden of replenishing the funds and paying off the loans will fall primarily on businesses through higher taxes, but the benefit cuts are an effort to limit the tax increases.
States usually provide up to 26 weeks of benefits to laid-off workers. Michigan and Missouri have cut that to a maximum 20 weeks. Arkansas went to 25.
More
6 comments:
get rid of the idea you don't have to except work for less pay than you were making. get rid of getting a check for more than you make on minimum wage. that would force these individuals to work instead of mooching off the tax payer. do I feel sorry for these individuals? NO. I am denied unemployment 4 months out of the year because I had to take a seasonal contractual job to survive at a 90% ratio. This means not taking the Family out to eat at a cheap fast food joint once a month and lots of other cuts / belt tightening. they ought to quit crying because they are living hell of a lot better than I am.
life isn't fair. get over it.
11:28 has good ideas and makes sense.
11:54 souds like one of those taking advantage of the system. They Must be working for cash which they couldn't do with a legit job. Sounds like they need to be cut off and they will find a job real quick.
Unemployment compensation is a good deal for everyone. When you consider that the majority of people still working in Maryland are Government workers, it is they that ultimately foot the bill that businesses much charge to cover unemployment taxes. You can't go to OC without traffic hassles because they don't have enough money to pay for mass transit. Why bother? Go to Hawaii instead even if you must borrow the money until the economy improves while the Government drones stick it out with furloughs and the like. It's not as if you need to ask for the time off and direct deposit of your unemployment check can be managed even from the Pacific paradise. If you have an Independence card, that's even better!
CHANGE you voted for it
4:34 PM
Yes, I am taking advantage of the system. That's what it is there for. To help make ends meet until employment can be had.
Now, if you meant I am one ABUSING the system, the answer is no.
The guy was whining about what he had or didn't have and what others may or may not have. The truth is, and which I stated, life isn't fair.
Anybody with a little age and common sense will tell you that.
You may be the same person as you sound a little whiny yourself.
I really wish there were more mature people posting on here. Some always want to have a pissing contest.
Grow the heck up and stop worrying about other people. Minding your own business should be a full time job.
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