EI lasts up to 99 weeks in America ... wow

[kehlis]

Re: EI lasts up to 99 weeks in America ... wow

I don't think I'm being too harsh. I think most people are probably on my side when I start to wonder if people are abusing the system if they have been collecting unemployment benefits for 99 weeks. I'm not saying everybody that reaches 99 weeks is cheating the system but I have no doubt there is a group that is though.

If you were the bread winner for your family I don't see how people would choose to just collect the payments because it's so low, but let's say you are a 21 year who was laid off from walmart making min. wage, the payments are probably higher than what that person would make so there's no incentive for this person to find work. Also most people don't want to swallow their pride and take a paycut.

I understand where you are coming from and I think the people that will find your opinion harsh are more than likely the one's who have been in a similar situation (like myself) who legitimately tried to find a job but couldn't.

I was jobless for about a year and it actually took moving to find a new job. I also think there is something to be said about viewing this from the viewpoint of a large city versus a smaller city.

I focused on finding a job in the small area that I lived and couldn't. I moved to Pittsburgh and had a job within a month and a half.

I do get your viewpoint and to a degree, don't disagree because I have no doubt there are people that take advantage of it.



Question to you or anyone though:

If I were unemployed and received a job offer for the same amount that I was getting for unemployment (which as I'mTellingTim mentioned above would be an actual pay cut) would you consider that to be cheating the system?

I know there is a big advantage to be working vs. not working (as far as sanity and resume are concerned) but if you could make the same amount looking for a better job as opposed to learning and working a new job, would you consider that to be cheating the system?

(This IS hypothetical, I was lucky enough during this stretch to be able to work with a former employer under the table while looking for a better job)

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: EI lasts up to 99 weeks in America ... wow

People will always exploit stuff.......Got old couples exploiting social security by not getting married, even though they been shacking up for years. In the past you had people exploiting welfare by having kid after kid after kid just to collect more money.

Got single dudes claiming other people kids on their tax return to get a big return. Got people with bad credit getting credit cards and cable service in their little kids name. Got people registering their cars in a different county that they don't even live in just for they won't have to take the air test or get a city sticker.

People are shady......

[ImTellinTim]

Re: EI lasts up to 99 weeks in America ... wow

I understand where you are coming from and I think the people that will find your opinion harsh are more than likely the one's who have been in a similar situation (like myself) who legitimately tried to find a job but couldn't.

I was jobless for about a year and it actually took moving to find a new job. I also think there is something to be said about viewing this from the viewpoint of a large city versus a smaller city.

I focused on finding a job in the small area that I lived and couldn't. I moved to Pittsburgh and had a job within a month and a half.

I do get your viewpoint and to a degree, don't disagree because I have no doubt there are people that take advantage of it.



Question to you or anyone though:

If I were unemployed and received a job offer for the same amount that I was getting for unemployment (which as I'mTellingTim mentioned above would be an actual pay cut) would you consider that to be cheating the system?

I know there is a big advantage to be working vs. not working (as far as sanity and resume are concerned) but if you could make the same amount looking for a better job as opposed to learning and working a new job, would you consider that to be cheating the system?

(This IS hypothetical, I was lucky enough during this stretch to be able to work with a former employer under the table while looking for a better job)

It depends on what the fringe benefits are. If there's health insurance involved for cheap you take it and keep looking. Most people don't realize that it costs well over $500 a month to provide insurance to an employee with decent health/dental insurance. You'll pay part of it, but it sure beats getting sick or hurt with no or state-provided insurance programs.

Or you can be like me and not get UI, work for cash under the table being your contractor friend's bitch, and borrow a bunch of money. Hooray!

For the record, the reason I didn't get UI is because I quit my job. Long story.

[VanCitySportsGuy]

Re: EI lasts up to 99 weeks in America ... wow

Question to you or anyone though:

If I were unemployed and received a job offer for the same amount that I was getting for unemployment (which as I'mTellingTim mentioned above would be an actual pay cut) would you consider that to be cheating the system?

I know there is a big advantage to be working vs. not working (as far as sanity and resume are concerned) but if you could make the same amount looking for a better job as opposed to learning and working a new job, would you consider that to be cheating the system?

(This IS hypothetical, I was lucky enough during this stretch to be able to work with a former employer under the table while looking for a better job)

Yes I would consider that cheating the system because you were offered a job and refused. The whole point of unemployment benefits is to provide temporary financial relief until you find another job.

[ImTellinTim]

Re: EI lasts up to 99 weeks in America ... wow

Yes I would consider that cheating the system because you were offered a job and refused. The whole point of unemployment benefits is to provide temporary financial relief until you find another job.

That's true. And also, if you get a part-time job that doesn't pay you more than what you're getting for UI per week, UI covers up to your benefit amount.

Can you tell yet that I'm currently a payroll accountant/manager?

[phenom1990]

Re: EI lasts up to 99 weeks in America ... wow

So I can see the payments aren't that large.

After reading that article from the NY Times and most of the comments, I found it hard to believe a person with a college education and lots of job experience couldn't find a job after 99 weeks. I also found it strange how none of her 3 adult sons could help her and provide her with a place to stay.

That sometimes is the issue, places will see some people as overqualified. They know the person is only working there until they can get a better job because they have the qualifications for a better job. That they know what they are entitled to in terms of fair treatment, etc. So they know its easier to keep less qualified people because they theoretically should not have as much access to the better jobs. Therefore they know they don't have to pay them as much or treat them as well and can control them better.

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: EI lasts up to 99 weeks in America ... wow

Ummm yeah having a college education and a lot of job experience is more hurtful nowadays then it is helpful. A lot of companies will automatically say your over qualified and won't hire you.

[iAM-IncReDiBLe-]

Re: EI lasts up to 99 weeks in America ... wow

People will always exploit stuff.......Got old couples exploiting social security by not getting married, even though they been shacking up for years. In the past you had people exploiting welfare by having kid after kid after kid just to collect more money.

Got single dudes claiming other people kids on their tax return to get a big return. Got people with bad credit getting credit cards and cable service in their little kids name. Got people registering their cars in a different county that they don't even live in just for they won't have to take the air test or get a city sticker.

People are shady......

The bold I see all the time. It's nothing new and its not right.

[p_rushing]

Re: EI lasts up to 99 weeks in America ... wow

That's because I didn't spend umpteen-thousand dollars to settle.

I'm not saying you should settle, but I think people should take a job they are offered making more than they receive from unemployment. You can still continue looking for work to get back into the area you would like to be working in. The world isn't fair, but you shouldn't be taking more than 6 months finding a job. At that point you need to look at yourself and make some changes so you can support yourself/family. Find something to pay the bills and continue looking.

[SuperBowlNachos]

Re: EI lasts up to 99 weeks in America ... wow

She needs to find herself a government assisted apartment complex. My buddy lives in one, he makes $8.50 an hour so he qualifes for his rent to only be like $200 a month in a very decent apartment. He pays $100 in child support a week, yet still had the money to have cable TV and cable internet and have enough money to spare $10-$20 a week on food/entertainment.

If you are a male or a strong enough female, distribution centers, UPS and Fed Ex are always hiring people and you will make at least $12 in my experience. The two people I know who worked there were teenagers and made $13 at UPS and $14 at Wal Mart distribution. They worked 32 hours a week and made over $400 a week.

[elgreazy1]

Re: EI lasts up to 99 weeks in America ... wow

I like how the OP completely ignored my post since he probably had no counter to it whatsoever.

As others stated, people screw the system over all the time and not everyone is virtuous and honest, hence why this country & world is the way it is. It's been that way since the dawn of man and nothing will change that.

[Vince]

Re: EI lasts up to 99 weeks in America ... wow

Andale Andale mami E.I. E.I.?

[Sublime12089]

Re: EI lasts up to 99 weeks in America ... wow

I was on unemployment for about 5 months before it ran out. It was only 100$ a week. It has been gone for about 4 months now and I havent been able to find a job still. To be honest though, since I moved back in with my dad and am a full time student with scholarship money I am not looking too hard atm. But it isnt glamorous, and you only getting the max if you had a decently nice job. My old job was smart enough to cu my hours for a few months before laying me off, so I got hosed. But wtv. I can deal with being poor in college.

[Gotmadskillzson]

Re: EI lasts up to 99 weeks in America ... wow

She needs to find herself a government assisted apartment complex. My buddy lives in one, he makes $8.50 an hour so he qualifes for his rent to only be like $200 a month in a very decent apartment. He pays $100 in child support a week, yet still had the money to have cable TV and cable internet and have enough money to spare $10-$20 a week on food/entertainment.

If you are a male or a strong enough female, distribution centers, UPS and Fed Ex are always hiring people and you will make at least $12 in my experience. The two people I know who worked there were teenagers and made $13 at UPS and $14 at Wal Mart distribution. They worked 32 hours a week and made over $400 a week.

That really depends on where you live at. In a good number of places they only hire during the christmas holiday season. Unless you a truck driver then yeah they always hiring at Fedex and UPS.

[phenom1990]

Re: EI lasts up to 99 weeks in America ... wow

Ummm yeah having a college education and a lot of job experience is more hurtful nowadays then it is helpful. A lot of companies will automatically say your over qualified and won't hire you.

I should have clarified my point into saying the lower paying jobs like a Burger King, Target, etc. I didn't mean in higher level jobs and I was only making that point because somebody made a comment about how I would work at Burger King if I had to.