Assistance for the Unemployed

This afternoon the House will probably approve the stimulus package, sending it to a Senate vote this evening. If all goes as planned, President Obama can sign the new legislation this weekend.

While main goal of the bill is to create jobs - 4 million jobs according to Obama’s directives- it also contains much needed funding to assist those who are currently unemployed. Specifically:

• Unemployed workers could receive 20 more weeks of unemployment benefits. Those in states with particularly high unemployment rates could get up to 33 more weeks;
• Trade Adjustment Assistance health benefits could be available to 160,000 more people who are out of work because their job moved over seas; and
• People who have been laid off could receive a subsidy for health insurance up to 60 percent for nine months.

The bill also includes a one-time grant for states that reform their unemployment insurance programs, making it easier for low-wage and part-time workers to apply for the assistance.