Does HR 589 only apply to the 99'rs ?

I am currently on regular UC in PA for 26 weeks that started in April. I will be eligible for Tier 1 EUC in Oct. If HR 589 is passed will it add an additional 14 weeks to my 20 weeks of Tier 1 EUC ?

Thanks, Ed

Yes, HR 589 would add 14 weeks to Tier 1. However, if you won't be eligible until October for EUC, I am not sure if the additonal 14 weeks would apply. Federal Emergency Unemployment Compensation (Tiers 1 through 4) will expire on December 31 regardless of what tier you are on.

There was also bicameral legislation introduced yesterday to change the way the federal government pays EUC. It is proposed that the money go to states to use at their discretion to provide tax breaks as incentives to hire or offer training for the unemployed. This would replace receiving individual payments for EUC.

Please check this thread. This proposed legislation will affect all the unemployed:

tp://www.unemployed-friends2.org/t2129-camp-hatch-bicameral-jobs-act-could-end-euc-benefits-for-unemployed-must-read#22577

Thanks for the info DesperateInRI, but now i'm confused.... the PA state website states the following below, so I assume I am eligible for at lesat 20 weeks of EUC come October then if HR 589 is passed I would get 34 EUC weeks ?

* If you exhaust your regular UC benefits no later than the week ending December 24, 2011, you may be eligible for Tier 1 EUC.

* The last week that EUC may be paid is the week ending June 9, 2012

Here is PA EUC Phaseout link http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=633338&mode=2

munster05 wrote:Thanks for the info DesperateInRI, but now i'm confused.... the PA state website states the following below, so I assume I am eligible for at lesat 20 weeks of EUC come October then if HR 589 is passed I would get 34 EUC weeks ?

* If you exhaust your regular UC benefits no later than the week ending December 24, 2011, you may be eligible for Tier 1 EUC.

* The last week that EUC may be paid is the week ending June 9, 2012

Here is PA EUC Phaseout link http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=633338&mode=2

That is correct. You would be eligible for Tier 1 and collect the 20 or 34 weeks as long as you were on that tier before December 24. There is nothing after that. PA will be ending EB benefits in several weeks. Individuals collecting EB in PA will be cut off immediately, regardless of how much they have in their account.

With the pending legislation now in the House and Senate, (S. 904 and H.R. 1745), this could also be the end of the way states choose to pay out EUC08 funds. It is very probable that anyone on Federal tiers could have their payments stopped immediately if this bicameral legislation passes. It won't matter what tier you are on, the states will have the option of diverting that money to training programs, tax credits to business and paying down their debts to the Feds. It will make S 4213 null and void as far as paying benefits to the individuals.

Does not SB 994 still give us hope for EB after EUC ? This is all scary....can I at a minimum count on 26 weeks of UC then another 20 weeks of EUC based on my situation ?

munster05 wrote:Does not SB 994 still give us hope for EB after EUC ? This is all scary....can I at a minimum count on 26 weeks of UC then another 20 weeks of EUC based on my situation ?

Not in PA! It is being cut off very shortly. Even those who have money left in their EB accounts will be shut off! Here are some threads for your information and action you can take to save the EB program in your state:

http://www.unemployed-friends2.org/t1604-pennsylvania-will-likely-lose-eb-by-may-20

http://www.unemployed-friends2.org/t1865-states-that-will-end-eb-programs-is-your-state-here-update-nj-tn

http://www.unemployed-friends2.org/t1998-if-you-live-in-pa-and-hope-to-rec-eb-benefis-here-is-your-chance-to-write-every-senator-in-10-minutes

Take it from someone who has been a "99er" for over a year, don't sit back and wait! Time flies, and with these two new pieces of legislation that were introduced yesterday, there is a good chance you will not receive any money from the Federal tiers program. Take action today!

But this is all for EB....I can at a minimum count on my 20 weeks of EUC at a minimum right...as the EUC phaseout is already passed and planned ? This friggin sux....I have worked nonstop in PA since I was 18 and am now 42...first time that I was ever unemployed and this crap happens !!

munster05 wrote:But this is all for EB....I can at a minimum count on my 20 weeks of EUC at a minimum right...as the EUC phaseout is already passed and planned ? This friggin sux....I have worked nonstop in PA since I was 18 and am now 42...first time that I was ever unemployed and this crap happens !!

No, it is not for all EB. Many states have elected to continue the EB program. PA is one that has not. EB benefits will be discontinued in your state within the next month unless further action is take by PA state government.

As far as the 20 weeks of EUC on Tier 1, it is still in effect but the two bills I mentioned previously that were introduced by the GOP in the Senate and House could possibly end that in the near future.

This might clear it up for you munster05.

You are on your 26 weeks now. You will get all of the 26 weeks and then you will move onto tier 1. You will collect the 20 weeks of tier 1 and then that will be it for you UNLESS the program is extended again.

You should be able to count on 46 weeks altogether.

I hope this answers your questions

Thanks lendmeflight2, that explains it. I was just double checking on what I can count on at a "minimum". Hopefully HR 589 and SB 994 get passed then I would be eligible for possibly a total of 80 weeks. It just does not seem fair that they are cutting back EC & EUC when things are not getting better. I have worked nonstop in PA without unemployment for 24 years, now I get downsized due to outsourcing and there is a possibility I can only collect 26 weeks(hopefully 46 weeks), where others got 99 weeks.

Keep track of this thread regarding PA EB. Members from PA have been updating as new information comes out.

http://www.unemployed-friends2.org/t1604-pennsylvania-will-likely-lose-eb-by-may-20

If you would like to help them advocate for SB994, here is some info they put together:

http://www.unemployed-friends2.org/t1998-if-you-live-in-pa-and-hope-to-rec-eb-benefis-here-is-your-chance-to-write-every-senator-in-10-minutes

As it stands now, you are eligible for the 20 weeks of Tier 1 because you will move to that tier before December 24.

Even if SB 994 passes now, after the the Federal program ends on December 31, there are only 14 states that continue EB when EUC expires.

As the deadline draws near for EUC08, we will provide more information as it is released regarding plans to extend the deadlines again.

In the mean time, the bills to watch are H.R. 589, which would add 14 weeks to Tier 1, S. 904 and H.R. 1745 - both of these threaten further payment of EUC funds to the individual.

No one knows what is going to happen, so please keep checking in for updates.