A story about the stimulus package. What's in it for the unemployed?

[Hamlette]

I got called to a meeting this afternoon and told to write legislation to get my state's share of the stimulus package for unemployment.

Many of you may know this but for those who don't, here's the first round: We have to pass laws that are favorable to unemployed people and if we do, we get $57 mill. One of the laws we have to pass would repeal one of the most hated in my office, the quit to accompany law. What that says is, if you quit your job to accompany your spouse to another state (because your spouse got transferred, for instance) you and not eligible for unemployment in most state. We don't think its fair and think we should pay benefits. Now, as part of this package, we will.

So, in my very red state, I got to go around and tell everyone that we are finally getting rid of the "quit to accompany" law. It was greeted with loud cheers in every office. The next question "how did we finally do that?" To which I got to respond: "thank Obama and the democrats who did it without one republican vote." (ha ha)

It's the first of three stimulus bills we will need to pass, and this one has other provisions to help part time employees and people who did not earn enough for benefits. I'll let you know how the other two bills shape up as I learn more. (One, to add $25 per week to recipients, is not favored here as it would be very difficult to administer. We are hoping they will make it a percentage, which for administrative reasons would be much easier.)

[sandnsea]

1. Those under 200% of poverty

can get Medicaid, another huge benefit. I don't imagine your office will administer that. I hadn't heard that there were going to be some regulations changed too, that is good news.

I was watching a short news dit on the Chinese factories closing. Those people don't have unemployment insurance either. They're just out on the street.

[appal_jack]

2. Very good news!

Thanks for the inside scoop Hamlette!

:hi:

-app

[chknltl]

3. Re: Unemployment benefits in the House plan.

Perhaps somewhat germain to the topic:

from:
https://www.economy.com/mark-zandi/documents/Economic_Stimulus_House_Plan_012109.pdf

Income support
The House stimulus plan includes some $100 billion over two years in income support for those households under significant financial pressure. This includes extra benefits for workers who exhaust their regular 26 weeks of unemployment insurance benefits; expanded food stamp payments; and help meeting COBRA payments for unemployed workers trying to hold onto their health insurance.
Increased income support has been part of the federal response to most recessions, and for good reason: It is the most efficient way to prime the economy's pump. Simulations of the Moody’s Economy.com macroeconomic model show that every dollar spent on UI benefits generates an estimated $1.63 in near-term GDP.x Boosting food stamp payments by $1 increases GDP by $1.73 (see Table 2).<-see link above,> People who receive these benefits are hard pressed and will spend any financial aid they receive very quickly.



Another advantage is that these programs are already operating and can quickly deliver a benefit increase to recipients. The virtue of extending UI benefits goes beyond simply providing aid for the jobless to more broadly shoring up household confidence. Nothing is more psychologically debilitating, even to those still employed, than watching unemployed friends and relatives lose their sources of support.xi Increasing food stamp benefits has the added virtue of helping people ineligible for UI such as part-time workers.
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[Hamlette]

4. I haven't seen the food stamp stuff yet...but will

I do both public assistance and unemployment but admit to being so snowed in by the increase in unemployment claims that I'm out of touch with what's happening on the public assistance side. I don't think public assistance will need state law changes so it hasn't moved to the top of my stack yet.

And for those of you on unemployment, we know how difficult it is to get your claim filed but know that we have DOUBLED our staff and phone lines, and we are working overtime to do anything and everything we can to help.

[truedelphi]

5. Thanks for the information.

And cheers for being able to let your co-workers know that "not one Republican" vote got the BIll passed.

It's so weird and wonderful finally being the pary in Power.

[Peace Patriot]

6. Thanks for the info! And thanks for your work helping unemployed people! nt