First of Extended Jobless Benefits Expire
Posted in Health Insurance
March 3rd, 2010
After months of extended unemployment benefits to workers who had been laid off as a result of the financial crisis, the first of those who received benefits will see theirs disappear. Unfortunately, Federal unemployment benefits and COBRA health benefits expired on Feb. 28, leaving millions of unemployed workers without government assistance as they continue their search for work.
Senate Didnt Act In Time
It was up to the Senate to pass another extension for unemployment benefits as well as the COBRA health subsidy, both of which were expanded for two months after originally being set to expire Dec. 31, 2009.
Reports show that lawmakers repeatedly tried to approve a 30-day extension of benefits this week, but each time an attempt was made, Sen. Jim Bunning (R-KY) prevented the $10 billion measure from passing.
This is not the first time unemployment assistance has stalled in the Senate. Unfortunately, the lack of action affects millions of individuals and their families.
Unemployment Assistance Has Been a Lifeline for Many
Its been many months since well over a year since many workers were first misplaced by the financial crisis. Since then, many unemployed workers have been able to benefit from assistance as they tried to get back on their feet.
With the basic state-funded 26 weeks of coverage laid-off workers are entitled to, the total number of extensions added up to an additional 73 weeks of assistance. The assistance included unemployment checks to those laid off during the financial crisis, as well as a COBRA subsidy that paid up to 65 percent of each workers benefits.
There is word that Republicans will indeed support a temporary extension this week that, if passed, would allow workers to reapply for their unemployment benefits; however, they would not receive their missed payments.
However another initiative pushed by Senate Democrats to extend benefits for possibly another year has yet to be supported by Republicans.