The Washington State Legislature has now passed, and Governor Christine Gregoire today signed into law, a $45-per-week increase in state unemployment compensation. Coupled with the $25-per-week increase to unemployment benefits that was just passed by Congress via the stimulus bill, many out-of-work people in this state will soon be getting an additional $70 every week.

From the governor’s statement:

Respected economists calculate that for every dollar of unemployment insurance benefits, another $1.64 is quickly generated in the economy. When we apply that ‘multiplier’ to the additional state and federal unemployment benefits, the total impact comes to $480 million for our state. We are putting money into the pockets of those struggling during this tough economic period, while benefiting stores and businesses in this state.

Eli Sanders was The Stranger's associate editor. His book, "While the City Slept," was a finalist for the Washington State Book Award and the Dayton Literary Peace Prize. He once did this and once won...

17 replies on “Up With Unemployment Benefits”

  4. @3

    Depends on how much you spend. If you’re rich, most of what you earn is socked away into investments and savings, or paying down what little debt you might have. In other words, zero stimulus. Unless you believe in “trickle down”. LOL.

    Whereas if you’re poor, a working dollar will all get spent, and will equal as much as an unemployment dollar.

    So we should give tax cuts and benefits to the poor, and raise taxes on the rich. By TRANSFERRING WEALTH to people who need things, we will stimulate consumption. Punch Joe the fucking “Plumber” for me if you see him.

  5. I’m with Luckier – another $60 or $70 is fine and dandy, but I don’t care about anything but an extension of benefits. I won’t see one dime extra and my economic situation changes in a hurry when unemployment runs out. Anyone hearing anything about an extension? There are going to be a lot of people who aren’t reemployed when 26 weeks rolls around.

  6. I dunno what to do… but it looks like people are thinking the next bubble will be in alternative fuels, alternative power sources. Can we harness rain?

  9. @1 & 5: I just read the House Bill in question (1906) and unfortunately there’s nothing about extended benefits unless one qualifies for “high-demand” job training. Supposedly, the federal stimulus package includes “extended benefits” according to the Times, but absolutely no details. I’m also scheduled to run out of benefits soon, and, like you, I’m certainly much more concerned about an extension rather than increased benefits.

    http://www.leg.wa.gov

  10. I saw/heard/read something within the last few days about how these additional $s won’t even be available until MAY.

    I’ll go looking for a source for that now, but if anyone else finds it first, by all means share the info…

  11. President Bush signed an extension of unemployment benefits back in November. It gives up to 33 more weeks of compensation.

    According to the WA State Employment Security Department:

    “Initial applications for the program may be submitted to the state Employment Security Department through March 28, 2009, and approved claims can be paid through Aug. 29, 2009”

    http://www.esd.wa.gov/newsandinformation…

  14. Washington states count it as 33 weeks total.

    On the other hand, the Feds say the benefits are extended up to the end of December 2009, that is additional 33 weeks.

    But then, I had not received any checks from Washington since the first one, which is 5 weeks overdue, no $25 or $45 increase, my checks are still taxed full 10% and I was never even notified that I was eligible for the extended unemployment.

    I did receive a very nasty note that when they are ready they will send me about 2 weeks worth.

    So if anybody know a good attorny handling such problems, please post his name.

  15. There will be a lump sum payment in May for all weeks ending 2/28. I guess the first qualifying week for the $45 increase is the last week of May. Seriously, people, read the unemployment webpage. The link below states that we get our original 26 weeks, then a federally funded 33 weeks, and another extension of 13 weeks from the state after that. We’re looking at over a year of unemployment, and I for one would rather slit my wrists before sitting on my ass for that long (It’s already been almost 4 months and I’m volunteering 3 times a week just to get out of the house). I think we all need to take a deep breath and know that the extensions will get us through this.

    http://www.esd.wa.gov/uibenefits/filewee…

  16. Sunday, April 12, 2009 and this is what the online weekly filing site says:

    >>We are experiencing a high volume of usage at this time, please try again later. The internet application is available 24-hours a day from Midnight Saturday through 5:00pm Friday. Monday through Thursday after 5:00pm is our least busy time.

    And my UI extension expires in two weeks. Wow, this is fun. (NOT!)

  17. las your an idiot,these people well most of them had no choice ,with the economy companies let alot of people go . these out of work people get paid alot less than what they were making,they need the increase in unemployment benefits. I am one of them with a family to support and worked in the Automotive industry. I know there are some lazy people out there but don’t you dare put us…. that has worked our asses off for years in the same category.ask not now what we can do for our country ,but what they now can do for us in this mess created by them and all of the greed and corruption on wall street and the big money makers in the banking industries,big company ceo’s hmmm….like AIG, and so on….. I’m not ashamed to be getting this help I worked and done my part and still am, but need the help to provide for my family while the work situations get better…..what makes you better than us?……LOL

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