Atlanta
(2009-12-24)
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SEATTLE, WA
(KPLU) -
The jobless rate in Washington inched down a bit last month. But at more than nine percent, high unemployment is still keeping many people out of work long term. Just in time for the holidays, Congress extended federal aid to help those whose benefits would have expired at the end of the year.
Unemployment Benefits Extended
The measure was tacked on to a defense spending bill signed by President Obama over the weekend. Congress once again extended emergency unemployment compensation by two months, providing a reprieve for long-term jobless people till March first, says Employment Security Department communications Manager Jamie Swift.
"As many as 19,000 workers could have run out of benefits by the end of 2009 without that extension."
Regular state unemployment benefits are covered by employer contributions in the form of payroll taxes and last only 26 weeks. But currently, most eligible unemployed workers could keep getting unemployment nearly four times that long - for 99 weeks. Swift says federal benefits extend the safety net when the economy is bad.
"Right now it's tough to find a job out there. According to the department of labor, there's only one job for every 6.2 or so people looking for a job. So yeah there's going to be some tough times for people who run out of their benefits."
The state estimates about 320,000 people in Washington were unemployed and looking for work in November. Earlier this month, Employment Security extended its office hours to assist more jobless workers with their claims.
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