Federal emergency unemployment ends in December
Hard-stop
touches those collecting longer than 26 weeks
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[December 12, 2013]
CHICAGO — The Illinois
Department of Employment Security released a reminder this week that
federal jobless benefits for the long-term unemployed end Dec. 28,
with final payments to be made in early January.
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Unless Congress extends the Emergency Unemployment Compensation
program, approximately 80,000 Illinois workers will receive their
last payment when they certify for benefits in the first or second
week of January. Although EUC lasts 47 weeks, the program's
expiration means everyone will stop receiving benefits regardless of
how long they have been collecting EUC. The 109,000 additional
workers collecting under the state's 26-week regular unemployment
insurance program will not be immediately affected by EUC's
expiration. However, 36,000 of those individuals would have
qualified for EUC in the first quarter of 2014.
"While today's job growth allows most newly unemployed
individuals to find work after a several weeks, the long-term
unemployed face additional hurdles," said IDES Director Jay Rowell
said. "Ending this modest program based on a calendar date rather
than economic principles and job skills could slow economic growth."
The average weekly benefit payment is $320. The maximum weekly
family payment is $562. EUC benefits to the 80,000 recipients
represent $25.6 million in purchasing power each week.
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Unemployment insurance is a temporary program that supports
families who are in jobless periods through no fault of their
own. The program also supports local businesses because benefit
dollars are spent at local grocers, gas stations and clothing
stores. Economic analysis shows that each $1 in unemployment
insurance generates between $1.63 and $2 in economic activity.
President George W. Bush signed the initial EUC into law in 2008.
Several extensions have been authorized since. President Barack
Obama has urged Congress to extend EUC through 2014.
State agencies are working together to deliver services to
unemployed Illinois workers. Access to services for basic needs such
as job training, food, clothing and shelter is available at
www.ides.illinois.gov/assistance.
[Text from
Illinois Department of
Employment Security
file received from the
Illinois Office of Communication and Information]
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