Extend Jobless Benefits
Benefits at Stake for Millions - Don't Let Federal Benefits End in February 2010
Current federal extensions (including both the Emergency Unemployment Compensation and Extended Benefits programs), the additional $25 per week in everyone's benefits check, and COBRA subsidies for jobless workers are set to expire at the end of February 2010. Without reauthorization of these key provisions, millions of families struggling to find work will be affected.
NEW Extension Campaign-Take Action Now
Take Action NOW. Call on Congress, as its FIRST order of business, to pass a stand-alone UI and COBRA extension through the end of 2010. Although the House passed an extension in their jobs bill, the Senate failed to do so before it went on recess. States are now required by law to send out notices that extensions are expiring. Congress should take IMMEDIATE action to reauthorize current federal extensions (including both the Emergency Unemployment Compensation and Extended Benefits programs), the additional $25 per week in everyone’s benefits check, and COBRA subsidies for jobless workers are set to expire at the end of February 2010.
Call Your Elected Officials Now
Call your Senators (1-888-245-0215) to make sure that an extension is passed before the end of February. Below are five talking points to get you started:
NEW Extension Campaign Talking Points
1. What’s the Extension Proposal? – We are urging Congress to pass a stand-alone extension of the EUC program, full federal funding of Extended Benefits, the $25 per week supplement in benefit checks, and the COBRA subsidies through the end of 2010.This must be done IMMEDIATELY so that workers do not face a disruption in their benefit checks.
2. Funding the Extension Benefits – Some have suggested that this package should be fully paid for by raising revenue from other sources, which will slow down the campaign and creates an unfair burden on the program in this time of special need. Thus, we are calling for this package to be paid for through “emergency spending” if necessary. Unemployment extensions have often be financed by emergency spending because by definition, they are an emergency. While we appreciate the concerns of those who worry about the deficit, the fact is that this is important economic stimulus that the country needs right now. Were these benefits to not be extended, the cost to the country (in the form of increased foreclosures, the money that ceases to flow through communities, and the increase in public benefits that would necessarily flow from the cessation of these benefits), will be far greater than the money necessary to pay for this package.
3. Pass the Bill ASAP – These benefits are set to expire on February 28, 2010, and since the Senate failed extend these important benefits before February 19, 2010, State unemployment offices have started sending out notices to claimants that their benefits are expiring, and reprogramming their computer systems to shut down with EUC, EB and FAC benefits-the Senate’s inaction has caused an administrative headache for agencies and increased anxiety for workers.
4. The Extension is Key to Economic Recovery – Extending UI and COBRA benefits is STEP ONE in any job creation program. Were they not to be extended, the economy could lose up to 800,000 jobs this year (according to the Economic Policy Institute). According to a recent Congressional Budget Office report, aid to the unemployed has the most significant impact on economic growth of any other policy options evaluated. Our economy is in a fragile state of recovery right now and cannot handle the one-two punch of this kind of job loss, coupled with the devastating impact on families if their unemployment insurance safety net disappears.
5. Act Now, No Time to Waste – The new extension campaign is targeting BOTH the House and the Senate, so contact Congress members now – yours, and any with whom you have a relationship -- and let them know that the they must extend UI and COBRA benefits through the end of 2010 and that they must do so immediately!