(Update: California’s October unemployment rate added.)
President George W. Bush signed a bill today that will give unemployed workers in California an additional 20 weeks of jobless benefits.
Workers typically are eligible for a maximum of 26 weeks of unemployment benefits. In June, Congress approved an additional 13 weeks in states like California that have high unemployment. California’s unemployment rate hit 8.2 percent in October, third highest in the country.
The new federal bill, which was approved by the House of Representatives Wednesday and Senate Thursday, provides seven more weeks of benefits in all states.
Workers in states where unemployment tops 6 percent would get the seven-week extension plus an additional 13 weeks of benefits. So California workers are now eligible for a maximum of 59 weeks in benefits.
For other economy news …
- Poll: Should unemployment insurance benefits be extended?
- O.C. pay raises half the U.S. average
- Meltdown recovery? It’s all about housing
- O.C. jobs loss continues, unemployment hits 5.8%
- More Calif. job losses coming in 4Q
- CSUF predicts a grim ‘09 for O.C.
For the latest in business …
- O.C. green car maker counts on GM parts
- Dow dives 444 — 5.4%
- Poll: Should unemployment benefits be extended?
- Dow slumps 427 points, closes under 8,000
- Taco Bell is not hunkering down
Yaaaaa! More checks! Now I can afford a bag ‘o grass for the holidays!
I don’t expect to lose my job. With that, I could get a couple of roomates and then at least break even on expense. This will help keep “the consertative” in there homes.
Finally some evidence the economy has turned around and the Government has plenty of extra cash to give away… or do they?
I was going to say our gov’t won’t stop until they get a full 52 weeks, but it’s clear they have already surpassed that, now offering up to a full *59* weeks of benefits.
to simply say this has gone way too far and is completely out of control is not is not nearly giving this report the lambasting it deserves.
It almost makes me want to get fired. But first i have to find a job. 59 weeks - what is the incentive to work???
not betting… you need a ‘qualifying’ event to get benefits, not just get fired.
As a well paid tech worker who gets laid off on an average of every 2-3 years, this is awsome news! Last time, I surfed for 6 months before my benefits ran out, then scored a job on my 2nd ‘real’ resume
I can’t wait to take a full year off this time! yea!
Will work for food - If your EDD check allows you to buy grass you’re freeloading someplace off someone. This is a much needed benefit for out of work Californians. You wouldn’t want families with children joining you with “will work for food” signs - your income would be so seriously cut. By the way, that line of work counts as “working” and earning “whether paid or not.” Do you check the box on your EDD form? The EDD $ is taxable you know - of COURSE you know that, you’re collecting EDD, right! And paying your taxes on it! Right!
joe - that was then. This is now. I pray you have the chance to put it to the test. “Well paid” = first out last in in this market.
I see this as a good thing. I had a well established career in the mtg. industry for 30 years and had never been unemployed. Nope, I didn’t make the big bucks either. I was part of the group that was telling them NOT to make these stupid loans. But no one listened. So, now I am attending school so that I can re-invent myself and have a new career. This is not easy. But I have to do it so that I can feed and house my family.
Hooray! Hooray! Hooray! Couldn’t have happened to a more corrupt and money hungry financial institution. Seven years ago I refinanced my home loan which had a prepayment penalty if refinanced within 2 years of inception. It was ONE (1) day too early and they accessed a $10,000.00 prepayment penalty. Wouldn’t even discuss it with me. I am happy that the stockholders, management and even the personnel might be gone! What goes around……
What about the recent grads? No job prospects, ever increasing tuition to pay off, AND NO GOV’T ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE.
The Orange County One Stop Center is a non profit organization that can help you, your family, your friends and your neighbors. Known to many as the unemployment office the Orange County One Stop Center is what I would like to call the awesome re-employment transition center. The Orange County One Stop Center is here to help you transition back into the workforce. They helped me get connected to unemployment insurance. They helped me with career training paid for through the (WIA) Workforce Investment Act Program in partnership with Coastline Community College they are the best…now I am employed and I love my new job!!! Please visit the Premier Orange County One Stop Center. I love utilizing the Irvine location which is at 125 Technology Drive West suite #200, Irvine, CA This office is always busy so calling is not recommended. Please see the WIA staff at the front desk they helped so much by informing me of all the resources that I had no idea about. These services include job search assistance which are all free…which can only be accessed and learned about by you going into the office and spending your day at the Orange County One Stop two locations to serve you Westminster and Irvine….so stop blogging and go into your local OC One Stop…Don’t forget to bring your right to work documents an original social security card and California Drivers License or California Id…this is mandatory on your first visit….Did I mention that networking at the One Stop and working with the staff at the One Stop encouraged me I got help and in turn helped others like myself….Oh the Job Club was the best ask about Experience Unlimited… Pay it forward….
You say “why work?”
That is insulting. Most of us would LOVE a job! There aren’t any!