unemployment insurance

November 17, 2009 -- DOVER -- Delaware Governor Jack Markell and Secretary of Labor John McMahon announced today that unemployed Delaware workers will be eligible for up to fourteen weeks of additional unemployment insurance benefits.

“These benefits will help Delawareans who have been hit hard by the national economic recession get back on their feet,” Markell said. “Turning around the state’s economy takes time. That’s why my administration is working hard every day to move our economy forward and create jobs by making Delaware the best state in the nation for starting and growing businesses.”    » read more »

Nov. 16, 2009 -- (Salem) – “Today’s employment report shows that Oregon’s unemployment rate is starting to level off and stabilize, which is promising news. This week we will also receive the next quarterly state revenue forecast, which will provide another snapshot about the state of Oregon’s economy.

“Today’s employment report and the forecast later this week are critical indicators for state and local governments as we continue to budget prudently and plan for a long, slow economic recovery.    » read more »

November 16, 2009 -- Washington, DC -- Today, Congressman Paul Hodes announced his support for legislation that would make health insurance more affordable for unemployed families in New Hampshire. Currently, unemployed individuals and families receive 9 months of COBRA premium assistance under the jobs and recovery plan that passed earlier this year, but this assistance is beginning to run out this month.

Congressman Hodes is a cosponsor of H.R. 3966, which would extend this assistance for another 6 months. The premium assistance helps New Hampshire families to afford health insurance while they continue to search for a job.    » read more »

Washington, DC--Today, the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) released the following statement of Secretary-Treasurer Anna Burger on President Obama's call for a jobs forum in December:

Said Burger, "We are now 22 months into the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression. In those 22 months we have lost 8.1 million jobs, and 17.5 percent of the workforce - 27.4 million workers - are unemployed, underemployed, or have given up looking for work. The scale of our problems is simply staggering.

"We need swift, bold action to create millions of jobs. In order to build long-term sustainable economic growth, we need a comprehensive approach that deals with our immediate jobs crisis and makes strategic investments to create the jobs that Americans will need in the future.    » read more »

Seasonally Adjusted Data

November 12, 2009 -- In the week ending Nov. 7, the advance figure for seasonally adjusted initial claims was 502,000, a decrease of 12,000 from the previous week's revised figure of 514,000. The 4-week moving average was 519,750, a decrease of 4,500 from the previous week's revised average of 524,250.

The advance seasonally adjusted insured unemployment rate was 4.3 percent for the week ending Oct. 31, unchanged from the prior week's unrevised rate of 4.4 percent.    » read more »

Nov. 10, 2009 -- Harrisburg – Beginning Nov. 22, Pennsylvanians who are out of work through no fault of their own may be eligible to receive up to 20 additional weeks of emergency unemployment compensation, Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell said today.

“This latest round of federally funded benefits provides a badly needed financial lifeline to more than 35,000 Pennsylvania families who have exhausted their benefits and need to pay for food, shelter, utilities and other necessities as they seek to rejoin the workforce,” said Governor Rendell.    » read more »

Initiative Would Transform Federal Government into Model of Veterans Employment

November 09, 2009 -- Washington, DC – Today, the White House announced the launch of an initiative that is designed to transform the federal government into the model employer of America’s veterans. This evening, President Obama will be joined by Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki, Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis, Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano and Office of Personnel Management Director John Berry to sign an Executive Order on the Employment of Veterans in the federal government, which establishes the Veterans Employment Initiative for the Executive Branch.    » read more »

Homebuyers’ Tax Credit and Business Tax Relief to Stimulate Local Economy; H.R. 3548 was passed by the House Thursday and signed into law by President Obama Friday

November 9, 2009 -- (Washington, DC) - Late last week, Congressman Baron Hill voted to stimulate the local economy and provide stability to American families hit hardest by the recession by extending unemployment benefits, the homebuyers’ tax credit, and tax relief for military families and businesses. The Emergency Unemployment Compensation Extension Act, H.R. 3548, will provide immediate assistance, extending relief to millions of workers, families, and businesses nationwide. The bill was passed by the House of Representatives on Thursday, November 5, 2009, and signed into law the next day by President Obama.    » read more »

11/09/09 -- Congressman Phil Hare (D-IL) today released the following statement in response to this morning’s employment report which showed that the United States lost 190,000 jobs in October, raising the unemployment rate to 10.2 percent.

“While the rate of jobs lost has continued to decline as a result of President Obama’s economic recovery package, unemployed workers are not in the mood for moral victories. The American people don’t care about the GDP, they need a J-O-B. Congress must move swiftly to pass the surface transportation authorization bill which would create up to 6 million jobs.

Source: Congressman Phil Hare

Creating Jobs, Strengthening the Recovery, and Helping Workers Who Cannot Find Jobs

November 06, 2009 -- Today, President Obama signed legislation to help create jobs by providing tax cuts for homebuyers and businesses, while providing much-needed support for workers who are still struggling to find jobs. These three steps are part the President’s strategy to help the economy grow.    » read more »

Statement by Chair of the President's Council of Economic Advisors Christina Romer

November 06, 2009 -- Today’s employment report contained both signs of hope for recovery and painful evidence of continued labor market weakness.

Payroll employment declined 190,000 in October, continuing the steady trend of moderating job loss that began last spring. Furthermore, the employment loss in both August and September was revised down substantially. Importantly, employment in temporary help services, typically one of the first industries to see job gains, increased by 33,700. The motor vehicle industry also posted employment gains. These are hopeful signs that the unprecedented policy actions are working to stabilize the economy and put us on a path toward recovery.    » read more »

11/06/2009 -- WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda L. Solis today issued the following statement on the October 2009 Employment Situation report released today:

"This past October, the economy lost 190,000 jobs, and the unemployment rate increased to 10.2 percent.

"We have known for some time now that the unemployment rate could reach this level, and it is an unacceptable situation. We are working hard to reverse these circumstances for the millions of Americans who need and want work but cannot find it.    » read more »

November 6 , 2009 -- “Today, President Obama signed a federal extension of Unemployment Insurance, ensuring that nearly 55,000 New Yorkers who had previously exhausted their benefits will be entitled to an additional 20 weeks.

“Unemployment Insurance was created as a safety net for workers who found themselves out of work through no fault of their own. In an economic climate where there is only one job for every six unemployed New Yorkers, Unemployment Insurance has taken on a different meaning. It has quickly changed from a safety net to a lifeline.    » read more »

November 5, 2009 -- CONCORD – New Hampshire Governor John Lynch today applauded Congress’ approval of an extension of unemployment benefits for thousands of New Hampshire citizens.

The legislation will extend benefits for 14 weeks for workers in New Hampshire. The legislation originally only extended benefits to workers in states where the unemployment rate is higher than 8.5 percent. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen authored an amendment making the extended benefits available to workers in all 50 states.

“I want to thank Senator Shaheen for her leadership in ensuring these benefits will be available to New Hampshire workers,” Gov. Lynch said.    » read more »

November 6, 2009 -- WASHINGTON -- U.S. Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) today praised President Obama for signing the Emergency Unemployment Compensation Act of 2009 that she co-sponsored, into law. The new law will extend long-term unemployment benefits in Michigan by 20 weeks. It will also provide tax refunds to businesses that have been hit by the economic recession, and extends and expands the successful first-time homebuyer tax credit.    » read more »