Without an extension, people receiving state jobless benefits won't be able to apply for additional federally paid unemployment insurance, and anyone already receiving those checks could be cut off.
About 11.5 million people currently collect jobless benefits. Nearly one in 10 Americans are out of work and a record 41.2% have been unemployed for at least six months. The average unemployment period lasts a record 30.2 weeks.
While unemployment benefits now run as long as 99 weeks, depending on the state, not everyone will receive checks for that entire period. Those who run out of their 26 weeks of state-paid coverage after Feb. 28 would not be able to apply for federal benefits. The unemployed currently receiving extended federal benefits, which are divided into tiers, would stop getting checks once they complete their tier.
Lawmakers were on pace two weeks ago week to introduce legislation that would have extended the deadlines to May 31 at a cost of $25 billion over 10 years. However, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nevada, decided to offer a slimmed-down job creation package that did not include the provision.
Harry Reid plans to address the jobless benefits deadlines this week according to a Senate Democratic aide. "We also hope to pass an extension of expiring provisions, including unemployment insurance and COBRA, this week," the aide said. "With Republican cooperation, we should be able to do so."
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