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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,”

Main article

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?”

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? SOMEONE

I agree what has become of our Nation? I am 51 y/o and have been unemployed since April 2010, though I still get my unemployment finding a job is frustrating. In my life I have done, customer service for the most part, from being a cashier to hotel management. I have applied like so many of you for numerous jobs, but have found nothing, a few have replied back saying they chose someone else or that I did not meet their qualifications, doesn’t anyone want to train anyone any more. I applied for a cashiers job a Kmart, nothing from them, applied for mail delivery clerks in places of business, they want someone with experience, how hard is it to push a cart and deliver mail in a business that you have to have experience. I even saw a hotel ad for a desk clerk they wanted someone with their hotels property management system experience, property management systems are not hard to learn, they are mostly just data entry. I have went to the job fairs at LP Field, to only find out that they are mostly colleges and insurance sales.
I can only keep looking and hope something comes along soon.

Micah- Thanks for the link. Kinda sounds like a monkey made a mistake and now trying to hide the banana! Give me or one of us that don’t have a weekly paycheck. I bet we could get it done!

Can you be denied unemplyment benefits if an employer fires you for suspected drug use but never mentions anything to you about their suspcion? And they never asked you to take a drug test or if you were high?
Basically, my employer told me ” it was best we parted ways”.
Another employeee told me that the manager told him he fired me because he thought I looked high.
Does anyone have any input/experience on a subject such as this?

Chris,Years ago I was fired from a job because i was accused of selling drugs it was a T.B.I. screw up,but anyway I drew unemployment even though the woman at the unemployment office told me I couldn’t.Go to the unemployment office and make them file a claim for you,they’ll tell you if you file it will be a amount of time before you can file again,but file anyway.I hope this helps , good luck.p.s.I drew before the problem was resolved.

KnoxTN, —I only pay for my insurance license once a year. I was on a different subject on Medical Insurance that I pay monthly.
It just breaks my heart to see some of you that have not found a job. I would be losing my car by now if I had not found the job….This company hired 4 unemployed so that helped us alot. I do think they got us cheap!!HAHA…If this had been a regular time in our economy, I could have got about $5000 more a year…I will take what I can, as I know all of you will.

As far as the Insurance….You can be in sales or customer service with your insurance license….If you call Insurors of Tn, see if they can advise in your city where you can go take the class for 1 week and take your insurance license exam…Some employers will hire you and pay for you to take the exam…Just give it a try.

Good luck to all!

Chris I would tell you to go online and file if they deny it they will have to prove why they fired you. They can not fire you for something that is untrue and then keep your unemployment from you. That just doesn’t work. If you are approved for unemployment they will appeal and they will have to prove that you are on drugs or you will get the unemployment. If you are approved in the begining you will continue to get it through all of this. Hope this helps

Thanks for the comments guys.
Like I said they never even told me why I was being fired.
Even on my seperation /discharge notice it is just marked discharge without any comments or notes.
I worked in the car business and with the recent hail storm all of our inventory was destroyed. I think firing people was cheapier than laying folks off.
The only reason I mentiontioned the alleged drug use was I heard from an ex -employee that he overheard the manager saying I looked like I was on drugs the previous weeked. If he would have had the decency to ask he would have known I was at the hospital with my father all night.
I really wish I would have had a chance to take a drug test .
anyways……
ONe more quick question……
I filed for unemployment last wed 5-4-11. It told me to certify for my first week today 5-9-11. Does this sound right, since I did work that monday 5-2-11 but not the rest of the week?
Any help will be much appreciated.

Thanks
Chris

chris, don’t worry you will get unemployment benefits. I also was fired. I did nothing wrong. It was a personal vendetta by an administrator directed at me to get back at my daughter, who happened to be my former boss. It is a long story, however the administrator simply told me we needed to part ways because i did not like “the changes”. Nothing was filled in on my seperation notice other than termination. After applying for UB she stated I was terminated for discussing company policy with patients. This was a lie that she could not prove. I got my benefits and a nice letter from a lady at the state advising me to let the owner of the company know what had happened to me. I couldn’t have been treated any kinder. Good luck

Thanks again guys/gals for the comments, they are definetly reassuring at a tough time. I did apply on line last week (monday) when I was let go.
I got somewhat of a seperation notice , basically a piece of paper with my name and a box marked discharged. They didn’t put anything in the notes section. It was like a lay off ,but they wrote it up as a termination with no reason.
I do have one more question, if my employer doesn’t try to fight my benefits how long does it usually take to get a decision? I know it varies but a good guess would be helpful.
Thanks so much for all replies.
Chris

chris, It can take 4-6 weeks. They will make your checks retro with a 1 week waiting period. So from the time you sign up until the time you receive your 1st check should be approximately 6 weeks.

For the 28,000 Americans in Tennessee who lost their benefits this month=I’ve been looking all over the net and NOT one comment has been left by any of you guys..You guys are WEAK, just rolling over and letting them park their Harley’s in your ass-cracks…GET UP AND VOICE YOUR OPINIONS…NOT ONE COMMENT HAS BEEN LEFT,,,NOT IN ANY TENNESSEE PAPER, NOTHING….WEAK ASS PEOPLE….THIS IS NOT A LAUGHING MATTER,,TENNESSEE STATED THE ECON0MY HAS STABLIZED,,,WHERE ARE THE JOBS THEN?….I DONT KNOW ABOUT YOU, BUT THE CRIME RATE IS A RISING BECAUSE IM NOT GOING TO SIT AROUND WHILE MY CHILDRENS RIBS START POKING OUT THEIR SIDES….IF SOMETHING COMES UP MISSING FROM YOUR CAR, FRONT LAWN= SORRY,,,BLAME ALL OF YOU FOR DOING NOTHING…JUST TAKING IT UP THE ASS AND NOT CARING….

Chris-I had a layoff slip in hand and, employer decided to “change” her mind and say i was fired. I went to my attorney/friend and I had my check 4-6 weeks… with retro.

mad in hixson,tn- I understand what you are saying… I can’t speak for anyone but myself but, i am exhausted! It’s like beating a Dead Horse! If ya know what i mean. I try not to spend a lot of time and energy on here and, put it toward looking for work.. No offense please. …just “tired and, don’t know what to do”. My time is running out and, No luck at all! Things are bad…

Hey mad in hixson,tn!
I have sent all kinds of e-mails to the local news media in Chattanooga explaining to them the REAL reason we lost our benefits. I also forwarded the Huffington Post article that told the truth. So far I have received no return phone call or e-mail. I explained that if they wanted to I would be glad to talk to them.
I don’t think they believe me or they just don’t care. I also have contacted my local legislator and Bill Haslam and Guess What? NO RESPONSE!!

ricky=sorry for going off on all those that live in TN…IM just fed up..TN had the option of a three year look-back and only went with the two…npw that they let 28,000 loose, the unemployment rate even looks better to them…like knoxtn stated=can people plese post email,phone, etc for us to contact…..I used to love this state, now i wish i would have never stepped foot in it..

tell us who to notify/email address/phone #’s/most of us don’t know where to go or who to contact. And yes, quite honestly, we are beat down by the system.

I just google my governor, and email all local t.v. stations….never hear a word back though………

I heard this morning they either approved the extended unemployment benefits back or they were voting this week. I would have gone 5-6 weeks w/o pay if I had not found a job. I hope they get it back for you all and hope the 99ers get something soon.

I like this job I have but from my experience in past, I see they have more than normal employees and scared someone will get laid off and its usually the last ones hired…We just need to stay busy and bring in money and maybe we can all keep our jobs.

If anyone out there is unemployed still having to pay for an anti-virus software like McAfee or Norton, please let me know and I just added one to mine from Microsoft that is safe & free. My computer actually goes faster…No reason to pay for that if you can get one free from Microsoft.

Good luck to all!

I live in TN and lost 15 weeks when they cut TN EB. I emailed my Representative, Senator, Governor, every major TV station in Nashville ,Memphis, Jackson, Knoxville and Chattanooga. I also emailed several newspapers in the area. I left my name, address, phone # and email, and said I would be willing to talk about it.

That was over a month ago, I have heard NOTHING from anyone I contacted. In their minds, if its not discussed, it didn’t happen, out of sight, out of mind. Man in Hixson, I don’t believe it’s that nobody didn’t respond and try to take action, I think it’s the simple fact that we are only 29,000 out of 6.3 million. Lawmakers don’t see this as worth they’re time. The more time that passes, the more likely people are to forget it. I’m in the same boat, no job, no money. I know a guy working at Sonic with a BA degree. With so many out of work, the ones with degree’s are taking the many non-degree positions out there, and since unemployment is so high, they have no room to negotiate on their salaries and benefits, they are just taking what they are given.

Sucks.

Dwayne

This TN bill is addressing the 3 yr lookback as oppossed to the 2 yr lookback:

http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/HB2156.pdf

Here’s where it’s at:

HB 2156 by *Fitzhugh ( *SB 2114 by *Finney L)

Unemployment Compensation – As introduced, extends certain period relating to eligibility for unemployment compensation benefits in accord with option provided by Public Law 111-132. – Amends TCA Title 50, Chapter 7.
Bill Summary
Summary for HB 2156/*SB 2114
Fiscal Note
FiscalNote for HB2156 / SB2114 filed under SB2114
Votes
No House Votes on HB2156
No Senate Votes on SB2114
Bill HistoryAmendments on BillVideo Clips
Bill History
Actions Taken on HB2156 Action Date
Placed on cal. Delayed Bill Committee for 5/16/2011 05/13/2011
Ref. to Delayed Bill Committee 05/04/2011
Filed for intro. 05/04/2011

Actions Taken on SB2114 Action Date
Ref. to S. Delayed Bills Comm. 05/05/2011
Filed for intro. 05/04/2011

If I’m reading this right, it was delayed in committee from 05/13 to 05/16 today, so hopefully we’ll find out after today, whether they’ll extend to the 3 yr lookback. They obviously didn’t advertise, as I haven’t heard anything about it till today.

Dwayne

Ok, here’s the next question, if anyone knows the answer. Since this is coming up in a vote, let’s say it passes and they do reinstate the EB(not counting chickens before they hatch, just looking for an answer). Since it shut down and no one was talking about it, I haven’t filled out the work log for a month now. If they do back pay, will we have to submit a work log for the back pay weeks??

Like I say, I’m not really counting on it, just trying to get records in order if they do.

Thanks

Dwayne

hey everyone,,after 2000+ applications, 24,000 miles on my car,,,no luck….does anyone have new info on the meeting to revive the eb held today(monday)?……the net has the same info over and over….nothing new….let me know,,,,.,…,..,..

The bill passed first consideration in both House and Senate today(P1C), if I understand right, there will be another consideration vote tomorrow. If it passes consideration there(P2C) then it will be submitted for general vote. I don’t know a lot about procedures, so I’m not exactly sure if it can become law just on the committee passing, or if it must be voted for on the floor. But, at least they are addressing it and it passed the first hurdle.

http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=SB2114&GA=107

http://www.capitol.tn.gov/about/billtolaw.html

Dwayne

thanks…probably weeks before any results huh…
cindy=how do you get that norton for free,,,i have 27 days left…let me know thanks…

mad in Hixson, can I ask you a question? I assume you were on EB, how do you do your work log?? I’ve just about ran out of places to go where I’m at, plus I’ve applied to everyone I can think of on the internet. If they do make this retroactive with back pay, do you have any suggestions for the work log?? Can I put on it if a place isn’t hiring?? If they make it retro, I’ve got to make up for a few weeks.

Thanks

Dwayne

dwayne=i was cut off on tier 4…never received extended benefits so log searce was needed….but after 2000+ applications in a small town,,,i also been going to the same places 2 or 3 times….let me know how i works out for you brother..also i drove my car to death=24,000 miles=now i have no $, two kids in diapers and a blown head gasket i think..

cindy=thanks a million for the link

http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HB2156&GA=107

Bill History
Actions Taken on HB2156 Action Date
Intro., P1C. 05/16/2011
Placed on cal. Delayed Bill Committee for 5/16/2011 05/13/2011
Ref. to Delayed Bill Committee 05/04/2011
Filed for intro. 05/04/2011

Actions Taken on SB2114 Action Date
P2C, ref. to S. F,W&M Comm. 05/18/2011
Placed on S. FW&M Comm. cal. for 5/18/2011 05/17/2011
R/S #83(8) to be heard in S. F,W&M Comm. 5/18/2011 05/16/2011
Intro., P1C. 05/16/2011
Approved by Delayed Bills Comm. 05/16/2011
Ref. to S. Delayed Bills Comm. 05/05/2011
Filed for intro. 05/04/2011

Bill has passed the 2nd consideration, and now has been sent the the Senate Finance, Ways and Means committee, for a consideration of 5/18.

maybe,

Dwayne

i hoping something happens…i went to 32 placies today,,$8 in fuel with no luck….im ssooooo short on rent and sold my air compressor so i could buy some diapers and more gas…….

Do you know if the bill will include retroactive payments for the ones that were not able to continue with EB or move on from Tier 4?

im not sure about the retro…..all i know is that this really needs to pass…they state that tn will not benefit if they have too fork out 2.2 million, but they will benefit from more homeless sleeping in their doorways, crime rate going up……..

I asked the lady at the unemployment office today, she said she didn’t know, but because it was so close to the end of the legislative year, she didn’t know if they would retro it or not.

Dwayne

It’s my understanding that EUC will run out the end of December 2011 no matter which tier a person may be on. If the law is passed and there is a 3yr look back for EB, will that run out at the end of December 2011 as well?

Create 1,700 to 2,000 jobs in exchange for non-collection of sales taxes. We all know that Amazon is a money maker. Why not allow them to bring those jobs to Tennessee? If TN Lawmakers don’t agree to the deal, Amazon will take those jobs somewhere else. Shame on TN with its 9.5 plus percent unemployment rate if it throws out all of those jobs.
Here take a look at this article: http://blogs.knoxnews.com/humphrey/2011/05/haslam-restates-opposition-to.html

Shame on TN again if they take the advice from the TN Center for Policy Research not to reinstate unemployment beneifts. This is another strike against jobless workers. What kind of State do we live in that turns away jobs and opposes the extention of unemployment?
Here read this one too: http://blogs.knoxnews.com/humphrey/2011/05/tcrp-opposes-extension-of-unem.html

So if our new Governor has his way the jobless will remain jobless and without federal money to extend unemployment =/

My understanding is yes. When the Feds approved the last extension of the unemployment back in Feb(?), it was set to run through the end of the year. When they passed that round, they also authorized the states to change their 2 yr lookback to a 3 yr lookback. That is all that is up for legislation in TN, just the change from 2 yr (which is 105%, must be 110%), to a 3 yr lookback(which is, IIRC, 170%, has to be over 110%). The extension of the whole round of benefits, Tier 1-EB, would take another federal extension to go past the end of the year. This is just a rumor, I can’t find anything out for sure, but because TN didn’t change to the 3 yr lookback, the stood to lose some overall unemployment assistance from the Feds.

Dwayne

Hmmm. I’m a little suspect of the last article in the above post, because the way the writer words it, “The Finney-Fitzhugh proposal would tack another five months onto this, extending unemployment benefits for a total of 99 weeks, or nearly two years.” The 20 weeks had already been approved, it’s just the 2 vs 3 year lookback that is being changed, not an addition of 5 months(20 weeks). Just shows how simple wording can be manipulated to make it sound bad. Why didn’t “Humphrey on the Hill” explain this better in his blog?? Had he explained that it wasn’t the actually extension that was in question, but the way TN had not changed from the 2 yr to the 3 yr lookback, would have made a lot more sense to the people who were reading it, but know, all they know is “the unemployed just want more benefits, so they don’t have to find a job!” Wake up people, they’re no jobs out there!! See how just a few words can make a difference in how something is perceived??

Here is the Bill that they are referring to in Pdf. This would not extend it for another 5 months for some, I had already drawn 4 weeks, some people were cut off with only a week or two left, so those folks, including myself, would not be eligible to receive any more benefits:

http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/107/Bill/HB2156.pdf

This is what chaps me about politicians and supporters of the politicians, like the writer in blog. They count on us to be ignorant of how the system runs. It is true, before April, I like most Tennesseans knew nothing about the 2 yr lookback rule, we only knew that unemployment had to stay above, IIRC 8,5% for a 3 month average. Then in April, the TN govt sent us letters 9 days before the EB was set to end. They knew if they told us about it earlier, they would be flooded with negative calls. It took me about 7 days before I was able to research and find out what the heck the 2 yr lookback was. I had to go to a Federal website(I’ll see if I still have the info I found and post it), to find out anything about TN’s unemployment situation.

Just remember, these same politicians and supporters, will come to us with their hands out wanting contributions come election time. Find out who your rep is(There is a link below), and let them now that the way the unemployed have been treated was caused by their counting on us being ignorant and uniformed by the very ones we elected to keep us informed. My reps didn’t even have the decency to respond back to my emails, even to say we appreciate your concern, and they will hear about it come the next elections.

Link to find out who your reps are:
http://www.tn.gov/topics/Elected+Officials

Dwayne

Here is the 2 FEDERAL sites where I was able to find out about what the 2 vs 3 year lookback was. To the best of my knowledge, TN doesn’t have anything like this posted, at least, nothing I could find:

http://workforcesecurity.doleta.gov/unemploy/claims_arch.asp

http://www.workforcesecurity.doleta.gov/unemploy/trigger/2011/trig_040311.html

This is why I’m really beginning not to like TN, there are no laws to protect the workers, other than the Fed laws, I’ve needed some help in the past with bad companies, firing for no reason, and since TN is an AT WILL State, they don’t have to give you a reason, but, these firings were political based, and are killing my resume now that I really need them. Wish I had the money to move!!! The only saving grace was I was able to draw unemployment on them, because they were not contested by the companies, because had they been made to come up with a reason, it would then be in writing and I would have a case, because I had absolutely no work related issues, never even been written up and had all positive reviews and recognitions.

Dwayne

One thing I left out. On the above chart, IUR stands for Insured Unemployment Rate and TUR stands for Total Unemployment Rate, and that column shows the current lookback yrs for both.

Dwayne

Well, this is just wonderful, the bill has been placed “Behind the Budget,” meaning they are on hold until after the state budget for the coming year has been approved. And this is the last week of this legislative year. So, this was all just a farce to “try and show us that they were doing something.” Trying to look around the internet, there is still a small chance that it may be looked at, but don’t count on it. Hope they enjoy their break, while we survive day by day!

http://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HB2156&GA=107

Bullshit!

Dwayne

budget subcommittee places hb2156 behind the budget, it means the panel plans to revisit the measure if ny money is left after the state spending plan is set. might as well killed it!

THATS THE TYPE OF PEOPLE WE GET TO RUN OUR STATE AND COUNTRY!!
WAKE UP AMERICA ITS ABOUT TO LATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dwayne= hey bud,,how are you? any new new’s? all i ever find is the same old sites….

Like I posted above, the bill has been placed “behind the budget” in the committee, which means the budget has to be looked at to see if the bill can fit in(basically). I can’t say for sure, because channel 4 news in Nashville reported tonight that the house had almost reached an agreement with the Gov on the unemployment issue, but they didn’t say anything else. My personal opinion is that it is dead until the House and Senate comes back from break, which they have said they are going to try and break tomorrow(Thursday)

Dwayne

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