U.S. Senate Prepares to Vote on Unemployment Extension ANN ARBOR, MI (Michigan Radio) - Thousands of jobless people in Michigan are waiting as the U.S. Senate considers an extension of unemployment benefits.

More than 420,000 people in Michigan get unemployment benefits and for many, the clock is running out.

It's estimated 100,000 people in the state will have exhausted their benefits by the end of the year.

U.S. Senator Carl Levin of Michigan supports a 14-week extension.

"This is vitally needed," he said. "We've got literally tens of thousands of people who have no income coming in, who can't find jobs. They've lost their jobs and need to put food on the table and pay a mortgage payment."

A measure to keep alive the $8,000 tax credit for first-time homebuyers has been tacked onto the unemployment bill.

The Senate is expected to hold a procedural vote today to limit debate on the bill.
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