Unemploment Compensation

I personally don't feel bad for receiving unemployment benefits. If I wasn't entiled for me to receive it, I wouldn't be. I've worked ever since I was able to, so I'm just getting my money back that I've put in. Although its not a lot of money, I am thankful for it. It is taking care of me and my kids. I've also learned how to make something out of nothing. At the same time, I'm online looking for jobs daily. I have an interview maybe once a month. The job is either paying less then I'm receiving or they hire someone else. I'm the type that loves to work. I love being home with my son as well. When given the opportunity, I while juggle both parenting and employment, very well. I can't speak for the ones that sit home and don't try to better themselves. I can only speak for myself. If anyone out there knows anyone looking for an admin assistant that types 45wpm, a customer svc rep with 14 yrs experience, a med ofc receptionist, with an Associates degree in Computer Science, in the Westchester County area, pls feel free to let me know.

Money is taken out of each and every paycheck our entire working lives to buy "unemployment insurance". We should feel no more guilty about receiving "unemployment compensation" than we should feel guilty about receiving payments for our medical expenses through our medical insurance, or reimbursements for car repairs from our car insurance.

Aren't you a pot stirrer today!
your question is loaded with your opinion - I can tell by words such as entitled and guilty.
But whatever, I'll take the bait.
The rules are laid out by the state as to how long they are eligible. That's a non issue.
It's unemlpoyment insurance. We all pay into it. No guilt necessary when you are trying to feed your family and keep a roof over thier head while looking for something else. I've never actually even applied for unemployment, but if I did, I wouldn't feel a bit bad for doing what I had to do for my children.
The compensation is a fraction of what you were previously earning. Who do you know that can live frivolously on a fraction of thier income.

I think a person is entitled to unemployment as long as the unemployment office says they are. It's all based on how much money they made the previous year. So, if they made a lot then they should get that percentage they are entitled to. (Here in WA I believe you get O. year, and then you can apply for extended time)
Should they feel guilty? Absolutely not. It's there for a reason. That person is getting money they pay taxes for when they ARE working.
It absolutely should NOT be related to how they spend their money. Big brother does not need to be watching where that money goes. Some people will use it responsably and some people will not. It's just like a paycheck, you wouldn't want someone watching where you spent that money.
L.
(a mama who is on unemployment)

My belief in unemployment is you EARNED it and should be allowed to use up your entire benefit when need be. Being on unemployment isnt being lazy, as you are a slave to that system by having to report each week. With our economy I know more people now than ever before that are drawing that cash.... they have to. I'm glad it's in place. Unemployment is NOT the same as welfare.

I think people with bigger brains than me at the Labor Dept. should be calculating the average amount of time it takes to find a job in a certain economy (number of jobs versus number of seekers, maybe?). I don't know the answer to how long, but 12-18 months sounds about right.

No, they should not feel guilty, it is not a hand out, it is money they earned when they were employed and is like job insurance.

No, how people use their money is none of our business, just as with a salary at a job.

I agree, you pay into so you shouldn't feel guilty about collecting if the need arises. That said, I felt like I was on welfare when I lost my job due to downsizing and had to collect it until I found another job. I know I "deserved" it as I had worked over 20 years and paid into it before I needed to receive it, but I still felt guilty as heck!

With the economy the way it is, I don't know how long it should be received. I know it is taking people a lot longer to find a job and in a lot of cases (mine included) they end up getting paid a lot less than before. I do know it can be abused but it also is a lifesaver to lots of deserving folks.

Of course we pay into our own unemployment insurance. But EXTENSIONS are only granted when a person is making an honest effort to find work, not when O. has already decided to choiceably be a SAHM with no income.

Least, that's how I read that post anyway.

(rebel!)

:)

This is perhaps "off subject" but I truly Believe that Everyone, Every Single Person that gets a check for unemployment MUST PASS MANDATORY MONTHLY DRUG TESTS!!!!!!!! If you've gotta pass a test to be employed at Most places you should Also have to pass a test to get money from the State!
JMO

Considering that there are currently 5 people unemployed for every 1 position open/hiring, the current 99 week unemployment benefit seems about right. There are huge numbers of people who worked in relatively high-level positions for decades and now find themselves unemployed through no fault of their own. We have decided as a society that when this happens to people, we do not want them and their families to be homeless and starving - and I think this says good things in terms of our priorities as a nation. We help each other during tough times, and these are tough times. NO, people should not feel guilty for collecting unemployment! Just yesterday I had to lay off my assistant due to circumstances totally beyond her (and my) control. She is the single mom of 5 children. Who on Earth would sit here and say that she ought to be out on the streets? She has a great work ethic, integrity, and due to unfortunate circumstances, finds herself unemployed totally unexpectedly. She wasn't making enough to where she could realistically be expected to have a big savings account. She was living paycheck to paycheck as it was, just trying to keep up with rent, feeding her kids, keeping them in clothes, etc. This is the person the unemployment system was created to help.

All that said, it's not like people live in the lap of luxury who are on unemployment. Here in CA, it tops out at $450/week, which isn't enough to pay rent, let alone eat, put gas in the car, pay for health insurance (hello, COBRA costs of over $1000/month for a family of 4!). That is the maximum payout - so most people receive a benefit of much less than $450/week. Is this really what people are choosing to focus on right now? How about the fact that GE, O. of the largest corporations in America, paid NO TAXES last year on a profit of over $14 BILLION? (Profit, not sales.) Or that the richest 400 Americans have 50% of the total wealth in our country? But instead we flip out over people who have worked hard all their lives, suddenly find themselves unemployed, and are forced to collect on unemployment to keep food on the table while they scrap for whatever job they can find? REALLY?

How long... depends on the current economic condition and unemployment rate. Right now the minimum would be a year.

No you should not feel guilty about it.

99% of the time it's being used for living expenses, rent, food, utilities, etc.

Thanks MommyL - you gave a great view of it all!

I have not read the other responses but my husband is currently unemployed. Luckily my job has the insurance and my pay is high enough to support my family. However, since my husband is looking for another job and his job loss was not due to some idiotic act on his part, he should have the unemployment. Honestly, I don;t think they check often enough to see if the people are actually looking or applying. I know people that were laid off due to cutbacks and such. This money supports their families with home, food etc. But I also know a few that use the money but think they do not have to look for a new job until it is going to run out. A man we lived near did this and, guess what, still no job. he took it for granted it would always be extended. Did not happen. For the length of time, I think it should be based on what the economy has for the type of job and average length of joblessness. They do keep those statistics.
On the other hand, my husband's friend lost his job. I think he was a welder or something. He was unemployed for voer a year. he did look . Since he lived with his brother and his wife earned good money, he saved most of his unemployment. They really cut bck on expenses. When it ran out, he started his own business. He just hired his own worker. I see nothing wrong with being able to save. If his wife had also lost her job, they would have had some savings.