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Tennessee Unemployment Benefits Extension – 20 More Weeks?

Update – Feb 7, 2011 – Legislation to add extra weeks for 99ers

Democratic Reps. Barbara Lee (Calif.) and Bobby Scott (Va.) are reintroducing legislation this week to provide additional weeks of unemployment insurance benefits for “99ers,”

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Part of Obama’s 2009 stimulus package was extra funding for states to extend the length of unemployment benefits if necessary.  Most states have a fixed number of weeks available for benefits but can increase the number of weeks if the economic climate is bad enough.  This is usually measured by the unemployment rate.

The unemployment rate in Tennesse was 9.9% for April 2009 which is up from 6.0% in April of last year.  This is the highest unemployment rate in 25 years.  Tennesse has qualified for $141 million to pay for extended benefits as well as upgrades to the benefit infrastructure.

What unemployment benefits are available now?

Currently Tennessee will pay benefits for 26 weeks which is the normal payout period.  There is another 33 weeks which is available because of the 2009 stimulus package for a total of 59 weeks.


Unemployed workers can get up to $275 per week in benefits plus a bonus $25 a week from the federal government for a total of $300 per week.

Will the unemployment benefits be extended by another 20 weeks?

[edit – please note that this bill has been passed]

Currently there is a bill called HB 2324 which if passed will increase benefits by up to 20 weeks.  If the claimant has any children the bill will also add on $15 per week per child up to 3 kids.  This bill has not been made law yet but you can check on the status of the bill here.  At the moment (May 22) it says that it is scheduled for the Finance, Means and Ways committe for May 27.  This bill was first introduced on Feb 26 so it is taking a long time.

Once the bill is passed by the FMW committee then it will go to the house and senate and lastly the governor.

There is a very good chance that unemployment benefits will be extended by 20 weeks however the slow machine of politics means that it might take a while.

693 replies on “Tennessee Unemployment Benefits Extension – 20 More Weeks?”

Marlie – In most cases you should automatically transition from one unemployment program to the next. All you need to do is to continue to ceritfy.

Hey Guys, hope all is well with your unemployment, I haven’t been reading the comments lately, Marlie, do you mind to give me John’s e-mail address, I have misplaced it. I think it is [email protected].,

Brenda

Hi, could someone tell me how EB works? I have read that you fill out work search logs. What are they and how do they work? Thanks

Hi everyone,

I got my work search log and hope that I have done it right. I apply for so many jobs, but it only has you list 2 each week. On some of the jobs, I do online and don’t always know the HR or contact person. I made several calls in the past and most say, you have to complete the application online and when I tried to go into some of the insurance office locations, they had security and without an appointment, I could not speak with anyone. I hope I completed my form right..

Good luck to everyone, this has just been a nightmare for us.

I am on Tier 3 unemployment, soon to move to tier 4, how many weeks does tier 4 last and is there another tier after that?
Thanks

Everyone,

The USDOL has informed Tennessee that we triggered off EB. What this means is that, u der current law, EB can be paid for 3 more weeks and then EB ends for everyone in Tennessee. You can find the more information here: http://www.state.tn.us/labor-wfd/EUB_March31_2011.html

Styphen – based upon e information above, depending upon when your EUC Tier 4 ends, you may not have any eligibility for EB since EB has triggered off. However, if you can receive a few weeks of EB, the main change is that you gave to perform a tangible work search as part of your weekly certification. You will receive instructions on this when and if you are able to receive EB.

Cinde – I am sure you did it right. All that is required in addition to your normal certification is documentation of your tangible work search.

Brenda – EUC Tier 4 is for a maximum of 6 weeks. Since EB is triggering off, under current law, EUC Tier 4 is the last benefit program available after EB ends.

John…does this mean that if we are on one of the tiers we can finish the tier we are on and then move thru the 4 tiers? Or will we finish April 15th also?
Thanks for all of your time!

I am soon going to be ending tier 3. Will I still be able to go to tier 4 or is that also going to be affected by the fact that EB has triggered off?

I have a question if anyone can tell me this. Since the EB triggered off, is there a chance for it to be triggered back on, and if so how? or what’s done is done?
I wish everyone luck – You and your family are in my prayers and thoughts. I know it is a hard road to be on.

Lynn and AngCO – This only impacts EB, not EUC. You can still go through the tiers of EUC.

Brandi – Its possible that the General Assembly could write legislation to change the EB law triggers and retroactively be made to trigger EB back on before payments stop in a few weeks. However, if the General Assembly lets EB payments stop, then EB must trigger off for 13 weeks before it can trigger back on. Without legislation, its likely not to trigger back on, even after 13 weeks.

cinde, where did you get your search log? is this log only required for those on EB? do you log in every week from the 1st week you began drawing unemployment benefits? thanks, i’m new at this/amy

Amy, I am getting the EB and on the last 20 weeks they mail you the form.

I just saw the morning paper and it said over 20k in TN are losing the last 20 weeks…I just started my last 20 weeks of EB so does that mean they are taking it away from me now?

This is so confusing, and we so appreciate your help.

has there been any updates on the 99’ers? i have not looked at the comments lately and my extended benefits ran out in Oct 2010. anybody know? thanks

JMP, I did not see anyone answer you yet, but I have a friend in your situation and she said no change yet. The republican’s just made it where several in TN are losing the 20 weeks and I don’t know who falls in that catagory. I checked my status and it still shows my benefits so maybe if your in the middle, they let you finish..

Nothing for 99ers that I have seen, but maybe someone else has heard something…Best of Luck, I am right behind you all so close. I don’t know what I am going to do.

John, my job relocated to another county and i was fired due to having trouble get there, will i be entitle to unemployment.

I just start getting unemployment in Oct 2010 and my benefits will run out next week. So my question is what do I do now. Is there a way for my benefits to be extended is there something I need to do.

Just recived letter today all eb will end 4/16/2011 even if you had weeks and money left, also if you come out of tier 4 before 4/16 it still stops on 4/16 if you come out of tier 4 after 4/16 their is no eb

I just got my letter today…It said no more EB after 4-16-11….I don’t know what we are going to do. I have exausted place’s to apply for a job…I have walked in and they say, you have to file online and I tell them “I do” but I never get called for interview. I saw a customer service job this week that I applied for and they wrote back that I had to sit in front of a web cam, but they will let me know when I get there if I qualify…Well, that sounds like what it might be in front of a web cam…and thats how they are trying to lure the unemployed in now I guess…I hope nobody falls for that one, i’m sure its not good and at 50, I doubt they want me for it anyway.

I just wish I knew what else to do. Has anyone here ever had to turn their car back in when they can’t pay for it? I have to make a May car payment and if my last check is 04-16, I will not be able to make it so I guess I will lose the car first.

I drew my unemployment out and the only place I could get a job was through a temp agency. Took a cut in pay ,but some money is better than none. I say this because I think alot of jobs are hiring through these temp agencies.Good Luck to all

I was reading about what triggers the EB payments off and can say that with a unemployment rate of %9.2 currently held by TN , the state of TN was suppose to be under a %6.5 to be triggered off. Another point needs to be addressed is, this money was federally funded for 2011 to the states to people on EB. I have followed every little crappy procedure they have outlined to do and now after 4-16-2011 that is it? What are they going to do with this money that the federal gov already gave them to cover the EB benefits, add it to their state budget? I do believe a better answer is do!

Cinde – Yes, EB stops on 4-16, regardless of whether you have exhausted your balance.

JMP – No, there hasn’t been any movement in additional tiers for those who have exhausted their benefits.

Renae – If the employer can prove someone was guilty of work-related misconduct, then their claim is denied. If the only issue is your refusal to drive to the new work site, it is more of a refusal of suitable work issue. In these cases, we look at the commuting distance and compare it against what we think is the average commuting distance for folks in that geographic area. If it is within reasonable commuting distance and you refuse the job, then your claim would be denied. If it is not within reasonable commuting distance, then your claim would not be denied. Other factors could play into the decision as well, such as if they changed the someone’s working hours or other working conditions.

Richard – You should automatically transition from regular state benefits into EUC tier 1. The benefit payments are as follows –

State unemployment benefits – Max of 26 weeks
Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) Tier 1 – Max of 20 weeks
EUC Tier 2 – Max of 14 weeks
EUC Tier 3 – Max of 13 weeks
EUC Tier 4 – Max of 6 weeks
Extended Benefits (EB) – Max of 20 weeks – This is the program that ends on 4-16

Styhen2 – There was potentially a danger of the federal shutdown impacting benefit payments and there was a lot of communicating with the USDOL to determine what would happen. It was finally determined that it wouldn’t impact unemployment benefit payments to a large extent. Luckily, a deal was reached and the shutdown isn’t going to happen.

David J – The state doesn’t receive the money for EB in a lump sum. Basically, the way it works is that we take EB certifications and then notify the federal government how much EB will be paid. We draw down that amount of money to cover these payments from the federal government.

The unemployment rate is still high enough to stay triggered on to EB but there is another rule in the EB language that doesn’t meet the criteria any longer. Basically, EB triggers on when there is a significant spike in the unemployment rate. However, because the unemployment rate has leveled off, it is not significantly higher than last year. Because of this, even though the unemployment rate is high, it is not high enough based upon the criteria from last year to stay triggered on.

I read where the state legislature could revise the law that would allow Tennessee to keep receiving EB. I did see where another state did that.
Allowing 28.000 people to abruptly lose their one lifeline left is a shame.

I think this is crazy! People are counting on EB myself included. What are people going to do? Seems like things just keep getting worse. I am in my late 40’s with a HS education and am considered unemployable. Of course they don’t come right out and say it but, it’s pretty obvious.
I have never seen our Country in such a mess! Unfortunately i don’t see things getting any better. Gas prices is at a all time high, food in grocery stores increasing on a weekly bases. They think you don’t notice cause they run these weekly “specials” 10 for $10 etc. Well, what now is a dollar was .89 the previous week. Things like this just piss me off!
I am sorry but, i am so over all this dead end crap!
People have worked all their lives and have lost everything. Those of us that have been lucky enough to continue to receive our small little weekly check have truly been blessed. But, what now!???
Still no luck at all! I am too old to loose everything i and my husband has worked for. Can’t even put the house on the market cause, no one can afford to buy a house. Anyone wanna buy a house in Knoxville FSBO? lol!
Let me know? I’ll make you a good deal. haha!
Well outta here to search for more resumes…
Sorry, just needed to vent for awhile… Good luck to everyone.
Knoxtn

I just started getting benefit in dec 2010. When i look at my benefits it says, i get 22 weeks with a maximum of $5212.00. Does that mean that is all i will get? or do i file again? I have never collected and i feel kind of dumb regarding this.

MEETING FOR 99ERS and HR589…..Barbara Lee’s statement after the meeting: “We had a productive meeting with the Speaker and the Majority Leader to discuss this critical issue of providing aid for long-term unemployed workers. Speaker Boehner encouraged us to work with the House Ways and Means Committee to move this bill forward, and while we will certainly do so, we maintain that these long term unemployed workers deserve a floor vote NOWWWWWWWW
4-14-11

Hi,

Does anyone know if we still get the unemployment for this week? I was going to try to certify Monday. I had 2 phone interviews this week and went for one yesterday, so everyone please pray for me that I get that one. I have put about $8000 in my new car and I will lose it in a month if I don’t get this job…My old 91 truck broke down the other day, so I will have no transportation. Thank you to all and you all are in my prayers.

I had just started Tier 2 and my unemployment ended April 9th, so I had to reapply, I was put back on my old claim and now they have reduced my 275.00 too 201.00 a week. After I make my car payment and pay my rent I will have 41.00 dollars left each month, which will not pay my water, electric, car insurance.
I guess I will have to have my phone shut off and the my basic cable turned off. I have only collected unemployment one other time in my life back in the early 80’s all the other time of my life I have worked. I am thankful for the unemployment I get, but this reduced amount I don’t know how I am going to make it, at least with the 275.00 I was able to pay my bills.
When I first became unemployed I cut back as much as I could, I just have basic phone service, limited basic cable, rented my spare bedroom and split the 750.00 rent between me and my roommate and split the utilities. Having a roommate when you are used to living alone was also adjustment, opening your home to a complete stranger, but you have too do what you gotta do, now all that I have done I don’t know what I will do, cause the 201.00 is not going to pay my bills even with the phone and cable turned off.
I have even tried getting a job as a cashier at Kmart, and I here nothing from them. I was told by a friend that used to be a district manager of a fast food chain and that they received applications on line but they did not look at many of them, so what do you do when it seems most every place says you have to apply on line? It seems no one takes applications in person any more.
Are you just overlooked when you are 51 y/o? I know that I am not alone in this and there are others worse off than me.
I hope we all fine something soon!

Hi Mark,

I am with you…I’m 50 and we have been saying for over 1 year how unfair it is, to not even get called…I remember 8 yrs ago, seeing managers throw away resumes of anyone over 48. I remember thinking then, whats wrong with someone that age, but, I was just an employee…I remember 25 yrs ago….if you were someone over 50 then, you did not have computer experience and I have to say, they were not good employees because they did not want computers taking over and they were against learning new…Well, we are the NEW 50+ year olds and we know computers and we know learning is new and change is the only way to go forward…..Can’t they see its different now?

I have been unemployed over 15 months now…I cut back as well, but with a house and a new car, had to pay for medical insurance, I still came up $300 shy every month…I used credit cards to get by, and now they are maxed….I guess I have 1 more check next week for $275 and I have $100 to my name right now…Thats $375…my car note is $350…so i’m in trouble.

I do have a 2nd interview on Monday, but….just got email that there are 4 others to interview so no guarantee I will get the job. Everyone please pray for me so I can prove that a 50+ yr old can still do the same job as good as she used to. Thanks all and good luck to all.

Hi All,

I am totally confused. I received two letters today, one that had the search log form and told me what my benefits would be for the next 20 weeks and the other letter said that TN was triggered off EB after 4/16/2011.

So do that mean that I’m getting benefits or does that mean that I’m done and that I should not bother to certify next week or anymore for that matter?

Thank you.
Lynn H. from Hixson

Okay I’m confused. My BYE date was on 4/2/2011, so I called & put in for a new claim. The agent told me that since I hadn’t worked in a year that they would have to put me back on my old claim. She told me that I still had 3 more weeks left on Tier 2 to draw from that was left over from my first claim. She manually put in my payment that week, because the automated system wouldn’t allow me to call in my claim that week. She also told me to certify on Tuesday now instead of Sunday which made no sense to me, but oh well. So I’ve been placed back on my old claim, but when I log on to certify online, it states that my BYE date was 4/2/2011, & I have two weeks left on my benefits remaining. I received a payment since my BYE date, since I placed the new claim. However, my question is after the remaining Tier 2 benefits are exhausted, will I transition on to Tier 3, or will that be the end of my unemployment payments?

Everyone – 4-16 is the last week for those receiving Extended Benefits (EB). This date does not impact those that are receiving regular state benefits or EUC.

AngDenise – You should still automatically transition from regular state benefits through the EUC program. The EUC program doesn’t end until the end of 2011. There are some triggers in EUC where we could potentially trigger off of some of the tiers, but I believe our unemployment rate wont fall fast enough to hit any of the EUC triggers.

You will have to file a new claim when your benefit year ends, however.

Mark – It sounds like your benefit year ended and you filed a new claim. If you are eligible on the new claim, under some circumstances, you would be required to receive benefits on the new claim with the lower weekly benefit amount. Under other circumstances, you will be placed back on to your old claim to continue to receive EUC.

Lynn H – It sounds like you received a monetary determination for EB. The way you read the monetary is, provided that Tennessee is triggered on to EB, you can receive 20 weeks of EB. However, Tennessee triggered off EB with the last payable week being 4-16. EB certifications are on Wednesday so you probably will receive payment for one week of EB.

TC – If you haven’t worked since your prior claim, it sounds like you were correctly placed back on your old claim to continue to receive the remainder of your EUC entitlement. Since EUC doesn’t end until the end of 2011, you should automatically transition from EUC Tier 2 to the extra week of EUC Tier 2 and then into EUC Tier 3.

Good news everyone, I got hired and have worked 3 days this past week. I would never have got the job without a friend pulling for me and just hope I don’t dissapoint her since I have not worked in 1 1/2 yrs. I will never forget all the help I got here, especially John, and all the support. I will also not forget you all. If I hear of any jobs, I will come back here if ok and see if anyone can apply for something I hear about. Anything I can do to help since I know exactly where you all are. I just hope & pray I can do this job and not get laid off. Thanks again for all the support and you all ARE in my thoughts and prayers. This 1 1/2 yr, was a nightmare and real and I know what can happen so fast. Good Luck to all, there is hope.

Cindi- Congratulations to you!!:) You go girl! I am really happy for you! What kind of job did you get?
I am really getting scared now. I have about 1 1/2 weeks left on t2 and then only 6 weeks and “Nothing”. Things are really horrible. We’ve thought about FSBO but the market is frozen so, we wouldn’t get anything out of our house. We had about 50k equity til the market fell 3 yrs ago. Now we’d be lucky to just sell it for loan rate.
Anyway, didn’t mean to get off subject. I am really excited for you. If you hear of anything in Knoxville plz let me know.
Let us know how you’re doing. I come on here about once a week.
You go get em girl!! Once again Congratulations!=)
Keep in touch!

I have a question. I’m currently getting Tennessee state benefit unemployment, the 26 weeks. It ends soon in another couple of checks in May 2011. Still have not found employment, had a few good prospects but nothing has materialized yet. Anyway, if my state unemployment benefits stop will I transition to the federal benefits automatically if I continue to do the weekly certification through the state? If not then how do I apply for these extended federal unemployment federal benefits?

Thanks

Cindi, I am so happy for you. I have a question for anyone out there who might have the answer. I’m still on unemployment benefits and I have been able to keep continued Group Health Coverage under the ARRA Act (American Recovery and Reinvested Act of 2009). It reduces the Cobra premiums 35%. The info sent to me states this is available for 15 months. At the end for the 15 month period premiums will be the full Cobra rates which I cannot afford. At that time my husband and I will be without health insurance. Does anyone out there have any info regardingthis? I’m wondering if perhaps it has been extended since so many people are unemployed. Thanks

Thanks all, Hey KnoxTn, I had my insurance agent’s license and anyone out there who can do that type of work really needs to look into getting their license. I actually saw on Insurors of TN a job in Knoxville, but not sure what you do. Insurance is a good job to have, but in Nashville, they would close office and move out of state through the years, so I got shuffled around.

As far as medical, Call CoverTN 1-888-887-3224, I was able to get it for $130 a month when I was unemployed and it went up to $140 the past few months. I hope its ok to post that here, not trying to advertise for anyone, just trying to help others who need it.

I will keep my eyes open for any jobs. Good luck to all.

Cindi- I actually just found an opening that i am qualified to do. I am emailing my resume right now. Thanks so much. I will let you know if i have any luck.

Cindi, thanks for Cover Tn #. I actually contacted them a few weeks ago and was told they were not taking any applications at that time and did not know when they would again. This entire situation is so depressing but life goes on.

first off i want to thank john for all his sound advise…thankyou…first off=i received the trigger off notice in the mail..i was on teir 4 and now nothing…my question is=since they cut off 29,000 of unemployment, is it going to lower the rate?..i have been looking for work for 1 1/2 years. i filled out,since yesterday=2134 applications, yes i keep track..they say the rate has leveled off=take a tour of chattanooga, it looks like a ghost town..where are the jobs? Ive been to many states and TN is far the poorest.i have two children=2 and 3 year olds still in diapers. what am is suppose to do? the only thing i see is the homelessness rate going up..since i did not see this coming, me and my children will be homeless at the end of the month..so now im selling all my household goods..if you live in the chattanooga area and need a couch , fridge, washer, etc, let me know,,,i no longer need this stuff that i bought new, it wont all fit under the 153 bridge..
john, who can i contact to voice my concern?
if the unemployment was the same 2 years ago, why are we being cut off?

I am so sorry about your situation mad in hixson tn. I live in Dunlap and things are terrible over here.I was cut off with 3,500 dollars left on my claim. The awful thing is that this did not have to happen. Our legislators and governor just did not care. They could have kept our EB coming. All they had to do was take a three year look back instead of a two year look back. That would have kept us eligible.
As usual, we that are unemployed are not that important. This came from out of nowhere with no warning whatsoever. What are 28,000 people suppose to do with no money coming in to feed and take care of our families?

Mad in Hixon and Ricky, I too am in the same situation. I am in tier 4 and, still can’t find a job. So many people are suffering. And gas is through the roof! Can’t sell the house even though we have some equity in it cause no one in TN can afford to buy a house! I refuse to foreclose on it too! Worked too hard for too many years.

Cinde- Thanks for the info. But, i can’t believe you have to pay monthly for license? I couldn’t afford to do that. Even Realtor’s only pay once a year. Is that the job you are currently doing? I worked in sales for 10 yrs (last employer) so, i understand about the commission and all. But, with the economy like it is no one can afford to pay anything extra. I made great money while the market was up then it took a nose dive! Thanks for the info. I will check it out some more. There was a office position on the website that i sent resume in for…

Good luck all~

I have found an interesting aspect to the EB program ending in TN. It seems that the Federal Government sent paperwork to the state of TN to continue the EB program. The state officials just had to simply fill out the paperwork and send it in. The reason the program is ending is due to the fact that the paperwork was not filled out and sent back. So far the Governor’s offices has not commented on this issue. Speaker Beth Harwell has said to the Huffington Post, “Its not a local issue”, well I believe she is completely wrong. Federal law makers agreed and passed an extension and the state of TN has drug its feet that leads the program to expiration.

In light of the already flooded areas, as well as impending flooding, this lack of empathy will definitely drive the final nail into the coffin of homelessness for many Tennesseans. Tennesseans who may have recently voted for the mentioned lawmakers. This lack of empathy will also have a negative impact on the local economies as many more Tennesseans will become homeless.

Looking at the unemployment situation in TN it is clear that the state is still lacking in available jobs that have a similar pay scale to what many formerly employed persons once had.

Please raise a voice so other unemployed persons know that the state has to only fill out paperwork to continue the program. The program is federally funded so TN lawmakers saying the state is out of money has no weight.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/22/extended-benefits_n_852110.html

The above link is to the mentioned article, from the Huffington Post. I have left messages for both Bill Hasslem and Speaker Harwell and have not received a reply.

Thank you,

I wonder what kind of kickbacks the state received by doing the 2 year look-back? If the unemployment rate was the same as two years ago, and they we not cut off then, what has changed now=nothing…I could have understood maybe if the would have forewarned us, don’t you think….not i week notice…..now with 29,000 less people on unemployment=i bet the rate looks even better to the state…one definite way to lower the unemployment rate is too cut 29,000 people huh….The only thing i see rising is anger, hatred, homelessness and crime…Who can we contact to voice our opinion? What is there to be done, just roll over belly up so they can dock their Harley,s in our ass-cracks? Someone needs to take a tour of the fine, stabilized state of TN and point out these new jobs..All i see is a ghost town, shells, and homeless begging for food…DAMNIT WHAT HAS COME OF OUR NATION?

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