WashingtonWatch.com - H.R. 5749, The Emergency Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 2008

Comment by LW (July 11, 2008, 01:00:00)

Fri, 11 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

FL on phone tells you 30 min wait. To get to person you must not push any menu buttons, then they will transfer to speak with someone. Only they hang up once you get there and don't let you hold the 30 min. They still don't just post WHEN we will get our first check. Common sense it is the question we need answered.Then their phone won't ring so much. Can't they figure that out?...

Comment by LW (July 9, 2008, 01:00:00)

Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Yes, they should put a statement on the unemployment web-site to the effect of when the first check will be deposited to our bank account after mailing in the one page Florida application. Florida was prompt to have the one page application to print and mail in (can't get a fax through). It would avoid phone calls to them if they'd put in the website that info....

Revision by webmaster (July 8, 2008, 01:00:00)

Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

H.R. 5749 would provide for a program of emergency unemployment compensation.

Detailed Summary

Emergency Extended Unemployment Compensation Act of 2008 - (Sec. 2) Authorizes a state to enter into an agreement with the Secretary of Labor under which the state agency will make emergency unemployment compensation payments to individuals who: (1) have exhausted all rights to regular compensation under state or federal law with respect to a benefit year ending on or after May 1, 2007; (2) have no rights to regular compensation or extended compensation with respect to a week under such law or any other state or federal unemployment compensation law; and (3) are not receiving compensation for such week under the unemployment compensation law of Canada.

Authorizes a state's governor in an extended benefit period, if state law permits, to provide for the payment of emergency unemployment compensation before extended compensation to individuals who otherwise meet the requirements of this Act.

Requires a state to require, as a condition of eligibility for such emergency unemployment compensation, that aliens who receive it be legally authorized to work in the United States.

(Sec. 3) Requires such agreements to require states to establish an emergency unemployment compensation account for an applicant's benefit year.

Prescribes a formula for crediting amounts to such accounts.

Makes a special rule to augment the compensation amount if such an account is exhausted while the state is in an extended benefit period. Revises the definition of "extended benefit period" to include states with a total unemployment rate (TUR) of at least 6.0% and states with an insured unemployment rate (IUR) of at least 4.0% (regardless of certain other ordinary requirements).

(Sec. 4) Requires federal payments to states that have entered into such agreements to cover 100% of emergency unemployment compensation payments.

Prohibits such payments from being made to any state if it is entitled to reimbursement in respect of such compensation under any federal law other than this Act or federal law relating to unemployment compensation for federal employees and ex-servicemen.

Denies a state entitlement to any reimbursement under the latter law if the state is entitled to reimbursement under this Act.<br>

(Sec. 5) Requires funds in the extended unemployment compensation account of the Unemployment Trust Fund to be used for payments to states having such agreements.

Appropriates out of the employment security administration account of such Fund, without fiscal year limitation, the funds necessary to assist states in meeting the costs of administration of such agreements.

Appropriates from the general fund of the Treasury, without fiscal year limitation, to the extended unemployment compensation account of the Unemployment Trust Fund such sums as the Secretary estimates are necessary to make payments for: (1) compensation payable to federal employees and ex-servicemen; and (2) compensation payable on the basis of certain services performed for nonprofit organizations or governmental entities. Declares that none of these appropriations shall be required to be repaid.

(Sec. 6) Makes an individual ineligible for further emergency unemployment compensation, and subjects him or her to fines and imprisonment of up to five years, or both, if the individual knowingly has made, or caused another to make, a false statement or representation of a material fact, or knowingly has failed, or caused another to fail, to disclose a material fact, and as a result of such actions the individual has received such emergency unemployment compensation to which he or she was not entitled.

Directs the state to require such an individual to repay the compensation to the state agency unless the state determines that: (1) the overpayment was without fault on the individual's part; and (2) such repayment would be contrary to equity and good conscience.

(Sec. 8) Requires any agreement entered into under this Act to apply only to weeks of unemployment: (1) beginning after the agreement is entered into; and (2) ending on or before February 1, 2009.

Status of the Legislation

Latest Major Action: 6/13/2008: Read the second time. Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 780 under authority of the order of the Senate of 06/12/2008.

Points in Favor

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Points Against

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Comment by Josh (July 5, 2008, 01:00:00)

Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

When in the hell will I get my money from this? I've been out of work since Dec. of 07 and have ran out of benefits, I can't find anything on the web that states when or wether I will recieve said payments.....maybe i should contact my local UE office...?? Any thoughts?...

Comment by I remember bush sr. (July 2, 2008, 01:00:00)

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

At war with Iraq, economy in trouble.... does anybody have their "Will work for food" signs left over from the first Bush administration? Better get them out & dust 'em off. This is just the beginning.......

Comment by melly (July 2, 2008, 01:00:00)

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 00:00:00 EDT

to the taxpayer i would love to see you on the street so many people are down how dare you make these people feel worse i worked in the mortgage industry and i cant find a job and you must be such an a@# get a life . WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND TAXPAYER.... the bill has passed so good luck to everyone and god bless...

Comment by EAB (June 30, 2008, 01:00:00)

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

It is 6/30/08- Rumor has it that the Bill has passed in the House and Senate, and that Bush has approved it.... Can anyone confirm? Have been unemployed since 1/19/2007... What is wrong with Congress!!!!! Let them walk a mile in our shoes......

Comment by RTP (June 30, 2008, 01:00:00)

Mon, 30 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

This has been signed.... 6/30/08....

Comment by RTP (June 29, 2008, 01:00:00)

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Mr. Bush, is going to sign this bill this week....we got the 13 week extension not the full 26 weeks.... Baby steps....Baby steps.....

Comment by Nancy (June 26, 2008, 01:00:00)

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

We need to be heard in Washington and by our state reps. With the billions being spent on other countries, it is time to think of our own homeland and supply unemployed in this country with more benefits. Please pass this bill now....

Comment by To: Jim and To Jim (June 25, 2008, 01:00:00)

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Homo's! this has nothing to do with Illegal aliens! So take your whinning butts out of here! The crapy jobs illegal aliens take have never been high paying jobs. Stop talking out of your hole! Rich business people run the country so stop whinning and start your own business so you can hire Legal American residents and pay them very high wages with full benefits....

Comment by TOM & DONNA (June 25, 2008, 01:00:00)

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

IT SEEMS WE HAVE BILLIONS TO SEND TO EVERY FORIEGN COUNTRY IN THE WORLD WHO HAVE THEIR HAND OUT AND DON'T APPRECIATE OUR GENEROSITY, BUT WE DON'T HAVE ENOUGH MONEY TO HELP THOSE OF US WHO ARE UNEMPOLYED IN THE USA. BOTH MYSELF AND MY WIFE ARE UNEMPLOYED THROUGH NO FAULT OF OUR OWN AND WE CAN'T FIND WORK. WHEN IS THIS COUNTERY GOING TO WAKE UP!...

Comment by alyce in california (June 25, 2008, 01:00:00)

Wed, 25 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

I'm 56, my husband is 68. My unemployment ran out in March. Our home is in foreclosure. Seriously considering moving to Mexico, where we can LIVE on Social Security. PASS THIS EXTENSION!!!...

Comment by to Jim (June 22, 2008, 01:00:00)

Sun, 22 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

I've read about 70% of Americans want the illegals sent home. There are 12-20 million of them here. Thats 12-20 million job openings yet both Presidential candidates favor some kind of amnesty. Perfect Hypocrisy!!! Makes you wonder who is running this country?---It sure ain't the American citizens!We need a third party in this country that represents the economic interests of the middle class....

Comment by RB (June 21, 2008, 01:00:00)

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

This has been killed in the Senate, you can thank Senator Kyl of Arizona. Dems are going to try to attach it to the Iraq war spending bill to get it passed and signed. You know the Republicans are going to fight it because it will show a clearer picture of the economy when people that have exhausted their benefits are once again counted in the unemployment rate. The saying goes "If you want to live like a Republican, then vote for a Democrat"....

Comment by Jenny (June 21, 2008, 01:00:00)

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Im scared , as a single mom going to school full time We were on the edge already ,getting laid off and now benefits are gone. I really dont know what is to happen to us.Than im told even when passed it will take awhile for the paperwork.Im very scared....

Comment by jim (June 21, 2008, 01:00:00)

Sat, 21 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Out of all the comments above not one mentions the jobs that the illegal immigrants take. What were once good paying trade jobs have been reduced to minimum wage jobs. Illegal immigration takes away jobs just as exporting jobs do....

Comment by Confused (June 20, 2008, 01:00:00)

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Yes the bill has cleared the house, this is the final draft of the bill that the house and senate have decided upon. Yes all 50 states will receive the benefits, unfortunatley to get this passed out there will not be the additional 13 weeks. At least we are getting 13 more weeks....

Comment by Down and out in JERSEY (June 20, 2008, 01:00:00)

Fri, 20 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

On June 12th I E mailed my congressman a lengthy message telling him of my circumstances and how desperate so many of us are. Laid off with absolutely no hope of a job anywhere here in the garden state. But I should'nt be too surprised he hasn't replied. Afterall, he's a republican. It's obvious to me which party is for the working man and which party is'nt....

Comment by Unemplyed (June 19, 2008, 01:00:00)

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

You will get 13 weeks....just not the additional 13 weeks after that (26 total). The original Bill had 13 weeks Nation wide then an addition 13 wks for high unemployment states. Now, it is just 13 weeks Nation wide....better than nothing!...

Comment by To Unemployed (June 19, 2008, 01:00:00)

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Yes it's better than nothing but it's indicative of our lousy politicians. The bill cost the same as one month in Iraq. They have been debating it for 6 months.I am angry and there isn't anything I can do because these politicians are oblivious to anything but their political future.I live in Mich and I've had 5 jobs in the last 8 years and lost four because the companies left MIch. The unemployment rate is 8.5% and has been consistently at or around 7% for 8 years. I've went through a fortune in accumulated saving and selling assets to remain afloat.No one care about Michigan's economy & our senators are ineffectual.At this point all I got is disgust!...

Comment by Confused (June 19, 2008, 01:00:00)

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

As usual, I'm confused. Have all states been approved for extended unemployment benefits? Its not clear to me. Does the unemployment rate have to be above 6%. My state is LOWER than 5% so will we be able to collect extended unemployment then?????? Sooo Soooo confused!!!...

Comment by LDM (June 19, 2008, 01:00:00)

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Remember the sixties. Time to remember who we are....WE ARE THE PEOPLE....someone on another site had a good idea to demonstrate with empty plates and spoons at govt bldgs & the White House like would have been done in the sixties. Unemployment, the war..... That might get their attention. We'd just need to organize. Any leaders out there?...

Comment by to LDM (June 19, 2008, 01:00:00)

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

Americans are stupid. 59 million voted for king George and until gas went up he was liked. It's got bite everone until it hurts then things change. Unbelievably King George is coming to Michigan 25th or 26th of June. I don't think anything would affect him but at least we could ruin his visit. I think the truck drivers are being screwed the most ($4.79 for diesel) and they got the biggest toys! (laugh)Any Teamsters out there?...

Comment by RTP (June 19, 2008, 01:00:00)

Thu, 19 Jun 2008 00:00:00 EDT

OK.. It passed today... See Washington Post for details.......