It’s quite obvious that, for the unemployed, there’s almost nothing better than coming back from a great long weekend (the only time the unemployed can spend substantial time with their employed friends) to find out their unemployment insurance has been renewed. After their initial unemployment benefits ran out, the unemployed panicked, wondering if they were going to be able to leech from the government any longer. For the first time in their unemployed life, they were proactive about researching online and making phone calls to figure out what they needed to do to keep those glorious unemployment checks rolling in. Then, they waited.
While they waited to find out whether they would be blessed with another stint of being paid to do nothing, the unemployed fretted about the reality of doing nothing for nothing, and felt a tinge of fear about the unknown. They checked their mail every day, hoping for a claim form, a letter, a check, anything that would indicate they were going to get their unemployment renewed. In the meantime, they read the news, fretted about the economy (i.e. California’s fiscal emergency, etc.), and prayed their unemployment checks wouldn’t turn into IOUs. The unemployed even started looking at job boards again just to psych themselves up to the idea of ending their paid unemployment journey for weeks of unpaid unemployment.
A couple weeks rolled by, and the unemployed still didn’t know what was going to happen. Their last unemployment check was quickly running out, and they worried about how they were going to pay for their organic dinner party without a new check coming in. Then they got a claim form in the mail – but there was no word about renewal, the Unemployment Insurance department just wanted to know whether they were continuing to look for work. It seemed a bit rude that they expected the unemployed to fill out the form, use a stamp, and mail it back without knowing what the outcome would be. How dare they send a claim form without a check and without indicating how much money would be in their claim balance. But then, as always, the government provided for them, and a check came in, including the extra stimulus money. There’s no better time than Fourth of July weekend to feel a sense of patriotism and love for a country that just gave out a five month unemployment extension. God bless America, indeed.
Tags: avoiding reality, endless unemployment benefits, unemployment check, unemployment insurance extension
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I would not say that getting unemployment insurance renewed is a good feeling. It certainly is a relief and makes it easier to FOCUS on a job search, as opposed to stressing over how one is going to pay for food and already reduced bills at the end of the month. Of course, having a job that produced income would remedy this, but I think it is unfair to say that all unemployed people are doing nothing and collecting a check. I ‘work’ on my job search, applying to jobs, interviewing(occasionally), revising my resume, tailoring my cover letter, attending networking events, for 50 or so hours per week. I’m sure there are people out there that are playing video games while collecting a check, but I wish that those people would lose their benefits.
Just for the record, I graduated from college with a B.S. a few years ago. Graduate school is a possibility; I am becoming increasingly interested in an MBA. However, considering I am still paying loans for my undergrad (not w/ UI – I have been selling my things on ebay for months so that I don’t miss a payment and can continue to drive down the principal), I am reluctant to take out more loans for more education as my previous investment does not seem to have paid off yet. I have never lost a job except for my last one in this current economic downturn and normally I am someone who is against welfare, extended unemployment insurance, etc. But these are extraordinary times, and I really feel lately that unemployment insurance (even though we don’t have the money for it) is almost an obligation that the gov’t has, assuming it is the government’s fault we are in a recession in the first place. But back to my original point – the relief of knowing enough money will be coming in to eat and get to networking events does not feel GOOD, it relieves stress. And it is a reminder that you are unemployed and need a job that produces real income.
If only all those folks could get jobs again and stop trying to butt in on all of us Freelancers. We already had to deal with sporadic paychecks before all our friends got canned. And now they’re our “uneducated” competition, charging less or straight up working for free. Freelancers don’t get unemployment insurance either. We’re on our own. So, congrats to everyone who’s getting a leg up. Don’t drop the ball! On behalf of all us Freelancers, hope you get a job soon!
Jesse, not sure why you couldn’t find a job yet because you obviously have a great personality. Shut the F up. This is obviously a funny site for unemployed and employed people alike. Just relax, I hear we’re in some sort of recession so just calm down and it will be over soon. Don’t depress the whole world cuz you are a mess.
The extensions are key in an environment where it’s becoming increasingly difficult to find a job.
In total, getting an extension for unemployment benefits makes it possible to receive up to 79 weeks of benefits (26 weeks of traditional benefits + 33 weeks of EUC + 20 weeks of EB) if you live in a state with a high rate of unemployment.
I recently became unemployed, and was told I had to wait to be approved for unemployment ins, as I had a 1099 instead of w2.
I was desperate for a job, and took one at a hotel with commission only. Since I started working there I have been approved for U.I. and need to know if I can quit this new horrible job? My pay for the week is only about 300, and my unemployment check is almost double.
I just got something in that said I have to work and make $1,600 before I can get more money. WTH? The point is, I can’t find a job. Even the temp lady rejected me today. She sounded so bored. Like she had a lot of time on her hands. In 1998/99 I remember when I was in between jobs/going to school – temp jobs were so easy to get. I could quit one if I didn’t like it and switch to a new one. I’m just going to have to marry a millionaire. I’m only 31. I better hurry up before I lose my looks. Which reminds me, I haven’t applied to the local strip club yet…I wonder if I could include that on my “jobs I’ve applied to” document?
Surely, I hope this is just an attempt at humor. I am long term unemployed through no fault of my own. The feedback I get on interviews, when I can get one is “we think you’re great, your resume is great – but we don’t have any job for you right now.” In the meantime parts of Congress foam at the mouth when asked to vote on extending the unemployment. What is wrong with them? They really aren’t kidding when they say they believe the Unemployed are getting a free ride. How about passing trade restrictions on China? I thank God that the extension was passed until next year but am doing everything in my power to find a job. Hope I don’t have to move to China.