North Carolina Restores Extended Benefits

First topic message reminder :

I did a search and I couldn't find this posted anywhere so I made a new thread.

I went to print out some more work search forms today and I saw a notice on the Unemployment commission website saying that due to the decline in the unemployment rate that North Carolina no longer qualifies for extended benefits. The last week payable will be 4/16.

The unemployment rate went down from 9.8% to 9.7%. It has never been below 9.5% which I thought was the cut off rate. Something seems wrong here.

Does anyone else have any more information?

NC Democrats seek to pressure GOP on unemployment

I may not be able to but I will try as long as I can.

This change does not affect me. This blog is absolutely correct. Extended Benefits in NC are supposed to remain in affect until the unemployment rate drops below 8.5% for a 3 month average. This has not happened. The bottom line in NC does not have the money to pay and thinks they can just tell people the stop of payment is because of a decrease in the unemployment rate. This is not right. Someone needs to contact the media and have this investigated more. I will be glad to help.

In PA and NJ once you exhaust the only way you are counted is at Social Services. No longer looking, my favorite description. Once exhausted, you are no longer looking in PA and NJ. Of course, the amount of jobs available here you might as well look out the window, because you have a better chance of finding a job that way.

The media needs to know what is going on. They have no clue how the tier system works so they just assume that the unemployment rate lowered to a rate where we aren't eligible for EB anymore. How do you get the local news to investigate something like this.

lendmeflight2 wrote:The media needs to know what is going on. They have no clue how the tier system works so they just assume that the unemployment rate lowered to a rate where we aren't eligible for EB anymore. How do you get the local news to investigate something like this.

A group on the other forum has been calling and emailing media as well as state officials.
The latest reply was "Just got a call from David Clegg's office, they are pushing for a bill to change trigger off law. I was told to call Kay Hagen, Burr and Mel Watt's office to ask them to vote for this bill."

lizalphonso wrote:

lendmeflight2 wrote:The media needs to know what is going on. They have no clue how the tier system works so they just assume that the unemployment rate lowered to a rate where we aren't eligible for EB anymore. How do you get the local news to investigate something like this.

A group on the other forum has been calling and emailing media as well as state officials.
The latest reply was "Just got a call from David Clegg's office, they are pushing for a bill to change trigger off law. I was told to call Kay Hagen, Burr and Mel Watt's office to ask them to vote for this bill."

I'm sure everyone in NC that is going to be affected by this are doing the same thing. Cutting off benefits at 9.7% unemployment is unthinkable.

Yeah, I have already done that. I haven't contacted the media but I have contacted all my state representatives and the Bev Perdue, This can't be a budget issue like the state Republicans will make it, this is 100% federal money.

The NJ legislatures passed the fix to teh 110% trigger, 78-0. It's now sitting on Christie's desk. The bill had republican support so I'm sure it it will be signed.

I think all the states that are impacted have either made a move toward fixing or have fixed it. I will really be disappointed in this state if they don't fix this. NC is my favorite state in the country and I don't want to be disappointed.

I just got on EB on Monday and was shocked when I saw the message on the NCESC. The lady I talked to in Raleigh wasn't even aware until I read the message to her. I have struggled to find a job, I have no savings and don't know what i will do. I have emailed two reporters who are going to follow up. I emailed Mike McIntyre, Kay Hagan, Thomas Goolsby and two other Representatives. I have only heard from the reporters and not my government. Are they even thinking about changing the trigger on trigger off law. I have not heard them say a word about EB. Pretty sad.

States like Missouri and Utah have flat out come out and said they aren't even going to provide a fix for this. It's at no cost to theor states. I have no idea who they are trying to impress there.

This is from Local Raleigh news that aired Monday. Supposedly Larry Parker said he would have to get more information on Tuesday (yesterday) as to whether anything can be done. From his tone it doesn't look like anything is trying to be done about it. When she asks him what kind of impact it will have on people he really has no answer, he just reminds the listeners that these people have been unemployed for a long time. I guess this means that they deserve to have only two weeks notice before having no benefits. He could at least try and sound like he feels bad about it.

http://www.digtriad.com/news/article/169726/1/Update-Extended-Unemployment-Benefits-Ending-For-NC

I heard today that the Missouri Senator decided not to filibuster the change and will instead filibuster getting any stimulus money from the government.

One of my secret contacts just sent me this.

http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/gascripts/BillLookUp/BillLookUp.pl?Session=2011&BillID=H676

lendmeflight2 wrote:I heard today that the Missouri Senator decided not to filibuster the change and will instead filibuster getting any stimulus money from the government.

One of my secret contacts just sent me this.

http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/gascripts/BillLookUp/BillLookUp.pl?Session=2011&BillID=H676

isnt that doing the same thing since, the government pays for the EBs

Well, yeah but the Missouri senator knows he can only filibuster one bill at a time and he wants to focus on the $300 million that the federal government is trying to give his state to stimulate their economy. He is trying to play national politics.

so he's not fillibustering the bill then? So it will likely pass? I know their law actually expired for the triggers, thats why people were cut off on 4/2 and not 4/16 like a few other states

Doesn't appear NC is moving on doing anything about the stoppage of the Extended Benefits. Have heard nothing back from my Representatives. Only Kay Hagan's office sent one of those automatic emails to say they received my question. What is going on?

gemini1girl wrote:Doesn't appear NC is moving on doing anything about the stoppage of the Extended Benefits. Have heard nothing back from my Representatives. Only Kay Hagan's office sent one of those automatic emails to say they received my question. What is going on?

There has been a bill filed. It was filed on Tuesday. Here is the link. We can only hope it gets voted on and passed.

http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/gascripts/BillLookUp/BillLookUp.pl?Session=2011&BillID=H676

Correct the articles I read say the Federal Government "told" them they are trigger off. I could not believe it. Must be a Republican Governor who wanted to blame it on the Feds. Unbelievable story, just unbelievable. Dazed&Confused

I just sent this email to Thom Tillis, the republican speaker of the house. he needs to hear from the people of NC if we want this passed.

Mr Tillis,

As one of your constituents, I urge you to help pass HR 676. It is a bill to restore the extended benefits program to NC. Things are just starting to look up for me and I have job prospects for the first time in a long time. However, now I will have the rug yanked out from under me in 10 days unless this bill passes. As you probably know, this is 100% federally funded and will not impact the state budget at all. The federal money is already set aside for it so it will not effect the federal budget either. These are not added benefits, this will simply restore what we have already. The economy of this state cannot handle having 50,000 people going from getting a small check to buy food and pay bills to getting nothing.

Please consider this bill
I thank you in advance for your support.

Here is a link to the members of the house for North Carolina if anyone wants to write them. The bill number is HR 676. It now has one co-sponser.


http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/gascripts/members/memberList.pl?sChamber=House

lendmeflight2, thank you. I am glad to see the bill has a co-sponsor. Your letter is excellent and to the point. I am going to email my representatives again. Let's hope it goes through.

I heard back from Alice Bordson already today. This is her letter to me.


Thank you for letting me know of your concerns regarding the extended benefits program in North Carolina. The bill is being introduced today, will go through committee, and finally make it to the House floor for a general vote by all legislators. I will do all I can to help pass this bill (HB 676). If you haven’t yet, contact Rep. Dan Ingle and Sen. Rick Gunn, both of Alamance County.



I wish you luck in finding a job in the near future


It's doesn't sound like a form letter.

I urge anyone in NC that wants to get EB back to not sit on your asses and send some emails and make some phone calls. If we are quiet the wrong thing will happen.

I have been sending my emails, with no answers yet. I am going to email the two reporters that have answered me and let them know about the bill. I wish everyone would contact their representatives. Thanks again.

I am sending that same email to every member of the NC house. This has to pass. I wish I would hear back from a republican. I am sort of worried about their support.