3/24/2009 6:02:00 AM
Ohio Missing the Boat on Stimulus Money for Unemployed
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BY ED GEBERT
Times Bulletin News Writer
egebert@timesbulletin.com
According to the National Employment Law Project, Ohio is one of 13 states plus the District of Columbia that is missing out on federal stimulus funding for extended unemployment benefits. State legislators would have to make a change in the law to make those who have reached the end of their already-extended unemployment benefits eligible for up to 20 more weeks of benefits.
"There are a half-million Americans who are going to reach the end of their extended unemployment benefits starting this week," commented Tim Bradley of the National Employment Law Project. A provision in the stimulus bill would cover the extension of benefits beyond the first phase of 26 weeks and the second phase of 33 weeks, but that provision kicks in only for states that average more than 6.5 percent unemployment in a three-month period. Those states would receive funding for 13 weeks of benefits, and if the rate clears 8.0 percent for a three-month period, another 7 weeks are available.
"Although the Ohio state unemployment has averaged 7.8 percent over the last three months, Ohio is not one of the states that has taken advantage of these extra benefits," Bradley stated.
Dennis Evans, spokesman for the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services agrees that the law needs to be changed for Ohioans to receive the additional benefits. The change would have to do with the trigger to activate the the federal dollars. Ohio figures unemployment on this basis on the insured unemployment rate, which Evans said is currently at 4.66 percent, even though the overall jobless rate in Ohio for February is 9.4 percent.
Evans explained, "The insured unemployment rate looks at unemployment among those who were actually covered by unemployment taxes at the time they were out of work. That's a much smaller rate than the total unemployment rate, which is the rate that is published every month." The trigger for the insured unemployment rate is 5.0 percent - a mark the state has not yet hit.
"The trigger is set in state law, and that would have to be changed," summarized Evans.
"Over half a million jobless workers will run out of unemployment benefits in March and April if their states do not act now," said Christine Owens, Executive Director of the National Employment Law Project. "The Extended Benefits program is a straightforward, federally-funded extension to continue benefits for workers in high-unemployment states who have already run out of emergency unemployment compensation. These benefits would come to very long-term unemployed workers who still can't find work after receiving all of their EUC benefits. This is the only provision in the stimulus bill that addresses the needs of these long-term jobless workers, and states should not overlook it," Owens stated.
According to the National Employment Law Project report, 16 states and Puerto Rico already qualify for the extended benefits program under one of the program's provisions: Idaho, Indiana, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Wisconsin, Alaska, Connecticut, Minnesota, North Carolina, and Washington qualify for 13 weeks of benefits. Oregon and Rhode Island already qualify for 20 weeks of extended benefits. As a result, about 405,000 workers in those states will qualify for extended benefits when their EUC benefits expire between now and June. States that would have to change law to allow workers to receive the extended benefits besides Ohio are: Alabama, Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kentucky, Maine, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, New York, and Tennessee.
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Posted: Saturday, April 11, 2009
Article comment by:
Beverly Spicer
To Denny:
This law was finally passed in Ohio and the unemployment has been extended for 20 more weeks after you finish your recent unemployment. Also if you are getting help with your health insurance that has been extended also and the amount paid by HCTC will now be 80% and you will have to only pay 20% instead of the 65% to 35%.
Ted Strickland had to be the one to have this enacted because of the law Ohio and the 14 other states have. He made this to go through the transportation department which you can read up on this--just look up Ohio's Dept. of Transportation. Won't give you a lot of info but it will state that we the unemployed got it. Also if you call your unemployment office they now have all the updates. Finally the little poeple get something!!
I have to thank representative Sandra Harwood also. She fought in caucas for this to get it put forward faster.
Hope this helps you.
Posted: Wednesday, April 08, 2009
Article comment by:
Denny
I just read this was passed into law on April 2nd. If I can believe the internet not one Republican voted to help me out.
Posted: Monday, April 06, 2009
Article comment by:
Beverly Spicer
To Sanford: The simulas package is not the problem--the problem is the 15 states (Ohio being 1 of them) that has the law in their states that the states have to pay the extended benefits back. I have talked to Rep. Sandra Harwood-Sen. Caprice Cafaro-Tim Ryan's office-John Boccieris office-and Ted Strickland. Sandra Harwood was at their caucas meeting last week and this was brought up and Ted Strickland was to sign an amendment on this which has not been completely enacted yet. it went through the Dept. Of Transportation (which I don't know why through that source) but at this point I don't care where it went through at as long as myself and thousands of other people in Ohio gets the extension. I think talking to these representatives (whether at federal level or state level) is better than writing them a letter. At least I know they are hearing me and not one of their interns reading it and "filing it".
But I do appreciate your comment and the site that you forwarded to me. I will definetely go to the site and check it out.
Thank you very much!!
Posted: Wednesday, April 01, 2009
Article comment by:
sanford
To Beverly Spicer..I don't know where you your info..This extension is 100% funded by the federal government through the stimulus bill passed by obama..This is why this should of already been put into effect..It is a no brainier..It also has a provision so the state can stop this at a certain date..You should go to nelp National employment law project web site..They have lots of info on this..Also if you go to laid of and left out website they have a link to go to so you can send a pre written letter to your legislators it couldn't be easier
Posted: Sunday, March 29, 2009
Article comment by:
Beverly Spicer
I know this is my second comment, but I wanted to tell people that are concerned about this unemployment law that I have contacted all of the local reps. From what I have found out is they have to amend a law that Ohio and the other states have that affects this problem. Ohio would have to pay this money back at one point and thay say that Ohio is in financial problems now and they have to go through their budget to see what could be done. But there's a catch they have to present their budget by the middle of June. Now I don't know how that will help us as people who need this now and it is quite upsetting. My husband has 4 more wks of unemployment and once that stops so does the bill that Federal will pick up 65% of our Cobra. That means we will have to pay for 100% of Cobra and may I say which I also told the local reps. will never happen. Where do you get the money to pay for health insurance when you have no money coming in. So we are screwed in 2 big ways. If everyone out there calls your local reps. maybe we can get them to act in more of a timely matter. Call Ted Stickland, Tim Ryan, John Boccieri, Sandra Harwood, Caprice Cafaro offices and voice your anger. The more people that call the better it will be. And don't stop on 1 phone call keep on calling!!!! I've already done it twice to each of them and I don't plan on quitting. And tell them all when the elections come you won't be supporting them and you will tell everyone you know not to either. They didn't ask us our permission to use our money for all these bailouts and now that we need a bailout they don't have money to give to us. Something is wrong here and I intend to keep on my mission and if I overwhelm them with phone calls, e-mail, or letters I will and I hope all of you out there do the same!!!!!
I wish us all good luck---we need it!!!!!!
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