US | Fiscal Cliff | 2 million jobless Americans could lose UI

Congress last lengthened the deadline to file for benefits in February, but lawmakers also restructured the program at the time. The maximum number of weeks the jobless can collect unemployment benefits was reduced to 73 weeks. And in all states save New York, the jobless are no longer eligible for a separate federal extended benefits program that would have added up to another 20 weeks.

Of the roughly 12.3 million people who are currently unemployed, 40.6% have been so for more than six months. And more than 6 million jobless Americans have exhausted their benefits since 2007, according to Judy Conti, NELP’s federal advocacy coordinator.

Advocates for the jobless are already lobbying hard for another extension, noting that unemployment remains at a stubbornly high 7.9%.

“Federal unemployment insurance goes to Americans who’ve been out of work the longest and need it the most,” said Christine Owens, NELP’s executive director. “It’s a key part of any realistic plan to get America’s economy moving and the least we can do for those who have been hurt the most.”…

Choosen excerpts by JMM from

via Two million jobless Americans could lose unemployment benefits – Nov. 9, 2012.