New York state is sending out retroactive checks to about 123,000 unemployed New Yorkers today and tomorrow, the NY labor department said today.
Those who have exhausted all benefits -- either 99 weeks or 93 weeks, depending on the date of layoff -- will not receive any benefits under the new extension signed into law last week.
The labor department expects to send out all of the checks to those still eligible on an expedited basis, department spokesperson Jean Genovese told Examiner today.
Because the department has been encouraging people to continue to certify during the period of uncertainty since the old extension lapsed on November 30th, all New Yorkers who were prematurely cut off should receive checks either today or tomorrow, Genovese added.
President Obama does not appear to see any unemployment benefits in the offing for 99ers. When ABC news Senior White House Correspondent Jake Tapper asked White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs about the 99ers yesterday, Gibbs responded: "We -- we -- we have -- it's been a contentious battle just to get unemployment insurance to continue up to 99 weeks. It's not -- it's not in any way been easy ... and hopefully we can focus -- continue to focus on getting the economy moving again and providing -- providing those guys with a helping hand with a job."
In the meantime, many 99ers are not planning to celebrate Christmas. The following is part of an e-mail received from a reader who wishes to remain anonymous:
"I am a single mom with 2 kids. I’ve been paying on my home for 21 years and have never missed a mortgage payment. Now, I am in jeopardy of loosing my house. I have been unemployed for 2 years and I just can’t believe I can’t get a job. Everyday I look for jobs and I even apply for jobs that are minimum wage. This sickens me to death. Never in my life have I had such a hard time getting a job. I’ve volunteered at places just to get some experience, but nothing. Recently, I advertised on craigslist to help out for Christmas, and still nothing. In 2 years, I have gotten 3 calls for jobs and have been on 3 interviews. They all turned out to be nothing, even after calling them back ... Ok, before I lose my home, what more do you suggest? I am worn out with all of this and I sure would rather be working. Mentally this is too exhausting, never mind constantly having to applying over and over again for jobs that thousands of other people are applying for as well. By the way, we too are not having Christmas. I hope yours is a happy one."
Naomi Cohn's national stories on unemployment can now be found here. Should you wish to remain updated on the national stories, you must subscribe to the national page separately. Thank you.
Read Naomi's article on The New Lost Generation in The Guardian HERE.
NOTE TO UNEMPLOYED READERS: PLEASE CONTINUE TO SEND STORIES OF YOUR JOB SEARCH TO: NaomiCohn@gmail.com. Thank you.
Comments
Sorry... if you paid 21 years on your mortgage, you should have paid off 70 - 80% of note. That equity plus appreciation in value of home should allow you to take out a fairly large home equity loan.
If you refinaced numerous times and are underwater, it is not our problem.
Your story is not as compelling as most 99ers who are suffering for reasons beyond their control
1) You wouldn't usually have paid off "70-80%" of the loan, because the first years of payments are usually interest only.
2) Most homes are not currently appreciating -- they are depreciating.
3) I don't think lenders provide home equity lines of credit where the borrower is unemployed.
Yoda, you've got too much time on your hands. When others are suffering be more careful before you hand out so-called wisdom.
excuse me but yoda if the lady has no job then she cant take out a loan. I'm pretty sure you have to have a job to get a loan of any type and plus you have to pay it back and if she has no income then she cant. I'm in same situation so until you are there then dont judge....
I misspoke. For a 30 year mortgage @ 6%, 51% of note is paid after 21 years.
Almost any home bought in 1989 is worth more now than it was in 1989.... even with recent downturn.
I ama 99er and have a home equity loan.
Bottom line is she should have equity in house to tap into in an emergency. There are 99ers who are in far worse shape.
Thanks Yoda. For the information of other 99ers who may be considering this, did you open the home equity line of credit before you lost your job?
FYI - For those people who acquired a loan through FHA/HUD CANNOT take equity out of their homes. You do not have that option, and if you are unemployed, you have NO options.
I went back to school to obtain another degree, but have been cut off just shot of obtaining the degree. I hope to not lose my house before I can sell it to get the equity working for me through this catastrophic time.
It is apparent that President Obama is ignoring the plight of the 99ers. Secretary Gibbs fumbled and stumbled through an answer that was filled with meaningless rhetoric. In the end, all he said was, we need to create jobs. Well tell me sir, how does one eat that ? How does one pay the mortgage with that answer? How does one care for one's family with that statement?
People are being discriminated against at the highest levels, and nothing is being done to address this issue let alone the lack of support, or even acknowledgment of the 99ers.
Regardless of what this President accomplishes for the wealthy in the way of tax breaks, or DADT for roughly 15,000 people, or the 9/11 assistance plan, he is still IGNORING millions of people who have lost everything through no fault of their own.
He has lost my vote and support, unless he does something for the 99ers, and does it ASAP.
I have not been able to find a job despite over 30 years in the insurance field. Thanks to pro business federal courts age discrimination is not an option. My house is paid off but several banks rejected my attempt to refinance or take out any equity as I have NO income. Thanks Obama...you remind me more of GWB every day. I think your goal is to leave office like Bill Clinton, a hillbilly when he got into politics and now an aristrocat who now can pay 5M for his daughters wedding! Great role model?
Isn't that how the banks got into trouble in the first place? By loaning money to people with no income?
How is "borrowing" money going to get you out of debt?
I lost my job 2 weeks after I turned 65. I was 20 years older than the next oldest to me. I had to settle for less SS until I was 66....the full retirement age where you can work full time, so I needid to continue working. There is no doubt that age discrimination is really an issue in this country, where youth is worshipped. My UI benefits ran out last April, and thank goodness for the SS. But I am not ready to be put out to pasture. I guess I am one of th liucky ones who at least has some money comiing in. But all the savings I had are gone due to my losing a job tht I needed for a couple of more years to accumulate matching 401. The 99es who are mature and experienced but not old enough for social security are in the worst position I can imagine. The stories on this forum are heart wrenching, and "victory" speeches from Obama and Congress are sickening. They have destroyed Millions, with millions more to come. Such a bunch of rotten with power individuals running our country must have heard the cries for help, and allowed politics to prevail. Will the 99es fade into faceless statistics, or is there any truth to the saying that there is power in numbers.
I would like to ask if I am the only one enraged that the DADT is more important than feeding our children and addressing the homeless?
I can't help but wonder what it is going to take to motivate the 99ers and future 99ers. I understand that a lot of people are afraid and that's ok, I'm a little afraid myself. However, I am ready to do whatever it takes to change the course of this country. One would wonder if the 99ers think our government is going to come up with a plan to save this country and make everything ok. I know that we cannot change anything with our words and the government has no intention of changing anything. Why would they? We mean nothing to them. We are not even worthy of a number, as most 99ers are not being included in the percentage when they talk about the unemployed. Also, the numbers seem to be going down concerning unemployment, not because people are getting jobs but because they are running out of unemployment benefits and becoming 99ers.
I guess the government thinks we are all stupid. People are living in tents, starving and freezing to death, unable to seek medical attention and committing suicide. Is this not enough? Do you need to see your immediate family members fall before you decide to join us? I will continue to post this information daily. Today you have a choice.
I have been posting this same message for months. Please go to the website -- From the Trenches World Report and go to the Organized Resistance page and under Nationwide Rally to Extend Unemployment Insurance, leave your first name, state and the address of your unemployment office so we can organize active civil disobedience. This is for the 99ers and future 99ers. By not uniting we are letting them win.
The US Army and National Guard is always Recruiting.From 18-41 with a High School diploma so that's always an option for many. What saddens me is the fact I have a friend who has been on unemployment and won't even do day Labor he say's"what if they lay me off then I have 0 income as long as I have unemployment I have Guaranteed income".
My comment on refinancing was in response to the previous post about using equity in a home to survive. As for selling my home it is always an option but some of us would prefer to work. As a person who worked more than 40 years I and my employers paid plenty of unemployment premiums and believe in this economy the needs of the unemployed outweigh tax benefits for the top 2%.. There are no jobs for people over the age of 55. I know you do not want to believe it but it is a fact.
Ninetynier -- You are absolutely correct. They do not want to believe it but it is a fact.
Tax all imports 35%; Stop SHOPPING at Wal-Mart its simple you have the power one (Vote) counts.
I remember when Walmart was proud it sold mostly American made products...when Sam was running it.
Why are we not rallying at key areas generating attention? Is this 99ers movement an underground operation? I live in NYC and there is absolutely no 99ers activities here. I feel alone, broke and hungry. I am desperate to share my stories with those who know my position, but I kept hitting a brick wall everywhere i looked. 99ers, we should be protesting, rallying, and marching, just like the Tea Party organizaion. Even though MSNBC and CNN are covering our story, we must go out there and get more attention. We have to fight the strong opinions of Fox News pundits and get our local networks involved. Our congressional leaders must know our desparate situation, but if we remain underground and silent, they will never know. I dont even agree with national fax day or anything that leads to a quiet end. We must make noise at the center of cities so that people will realize that our situation is serious. I've been unemployed for nearly three years and I am tired of being ashamed, broke, and abandoned. Now is the time to fight or our law makers will continue to bypass our issues.
Tier V to survive!!!!
Are you sick and tired of being sick and tired? Angry when you wake up in the mornings and go to bed pissed off? If your sick of Washington watch this from You Tube. Rep. Marcy Kaptur of Ohio says it all.
Americans + Bailout = Revolution
http://www.youTube.com/watch?v=CJMw914Zvk
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