I want to clarify something about the purported "unemployment extensions" being negotiated by the WH and Republicans in return for capitulating on Bush Tax Cuts for the wealthy.
There are no new UI extensions or tiers being offered or asked for in these negotiations.
See below for the details...
The maximum weeks an unemployed person can receive depends on the state they live in. In very high level unemployment states this can currently be up to 99 weeks, but in other states the number of weeks is lower.
Regular benefits are for 26 weeks, after that the government has added Tiers 1, 2, 3, and 4 as well as an extended benefit period in high level unemployment states.
I hope you are following me so far....
What expired on Dec. 1 are the extended Tiers 1, 2, 3, 4 and the extended benefit period for high unemployment states. If someone, for instance, completed thier first 26 weeks after Dec 1 then they cannot get Tier 1. Similarly if anyone completed any Tier after Dec 1 they cannot move to the next Tier.
This is because the federal governments funding of existing extensions expired on Dec. 1.
So what is being talked about is extending the funding for current extensions... not adding new Tiers or additional weeks onto the current 99 maximum weeks.
There is no new extension. Baucus proposal only extends funding of the current available weeks and does nothing to help the long term unemployed. Nothing at all. And the funding will expire again in a year if they approve the Baucus proposal as part of the "deal".
Democrats have forced the Republicans to pass this a number of times because the program always has a funding expiration date. They can do it again without caving on the taxes for the wealthy, and its very revealing that the WH is not even asking for a real extension or anything new to help the longterm unemployed, its only asking to not expire the current program.
Heads up folks! Make sure you read the fine print in this so-called "deal". Its nothing but capitulation in it's purest and most extensive sense of the word.
UPDATE 1
Some folks are questioning and asking for references. Please remember that all the WH has talked about is resolving the problem where on Dec. 1 unemployment extensions expired. Most unemployed people, especially the 99ers, are very clear that they are not talking about a Tier 5 or any other additional extension. They are referring only to the current extensions whose federal funding ended on Nov. 29.
Here is a very active and widely recognized website where you can follow the discussion and confirm what I am saying: Unemployed Friends
In addition, here is a link to the latest news bulletin from California EDD (I am unemployed in California) which explains the current situation and crisis that the politicians are referring to.. i.e. the expiration of federally funded current extension program on Nov. 29.... New Federal Unemployment Insurance Extensions - California EDD
Here is a snippet from the California EDD news release stating the situation in a nutshell, but I recommend you visit the above link to learn more details about how the current extension program works and realize that extending the program past Dec 1 does not add a single tier or a single day to the program:
NO IMPACT FOR CUSTOMERS WHO HAVE RUN OUT OF MAXIMUM BENEFITS
Whether or not Congress decides to extend filing deadlines on federal extension benefits will not impact an estimated 254,000 unemployed workers in California who have already run out of all available benefits as of November 29, 2010. That maximum remains up to 99 weeks of benefits. Two bills were introduced in Congress that would add an additional tier of extension benefits to the maximum of 99 weeks. But there are no reports of any significant movement on the measures. EDD will be closely monitoring any developments on this issue.
The 2 bills that would have added more weeks past 99 referred to above are from Stabenow and Schumer. These are no longer under discussion (as Stabenow stated with regret in her remarks to the House last Friday).
Update 2.
The only proposal under discussion and ever mention and ever voted on has been the Baucus proposal. It does not add a new tier nor more weeks to the current program of extensions. It only renews the funding for another year. If a long term unemployed person has run out thier maximum benefit extensions the would get nothing more from Baucus.
If anyone has heard mention of a Tier 5 please post your proof. The "deal" so far does not include it. The only thing talked about is the Baucus proposal, and that contains nothing new for long term unemployed people.
UPDATE 3
Thank You Willa Rogers for this link from Unemployed Friends!
A link regarding Baucus, the 99ers, and an action you can take to support the long term unemployed...
American 99ers Union EMERGENCY ACTION REQUESTED
UPDATE 4
In honor of the season, from Dicken's 'A Chrismas Carol', and thank you zaka1 for your comment which made me remember this.
"Are there no prisons?" asked Scrooge. "Plenty of prisons," said the gentleman, laying down the pen again. "And the Union workhouses?" demanded Scrooge. "Are they still in operation?" "They are. Still," returned the gentleman, "I wish I could say they were not." "The Treadmill and the Poor Law are in full vigour, then?" said Scrooge. "Both very busy, sir." ":Oh! I was afraid, from what you said at first, that something had occurred to stop them in their useful course," said Scrooge. "I'm very glad to hear it." "Under the impression that they scarcely furnish Christian cheer of mind or body to the multitude," returned the gentleman, "a few of us are endeavouring to raise a fund to buy the Poor some meat and drink, and means of warmth. We choose this time, because it is a time, of all others, when Want is keenly felt, and Abundance rejoices. What shall I put you down for?" "Nothing!" Scrooge replied. "You wish to be anonymous?" "I wish to be left alone," said Scrooge. "Since you ask me what I wish, gentlemen, that is my answer. I don't make merry myself at Christmas and I can't afford to make idle people merry. I help to support the establishments I have mentioned: they cost enough: and those who are badly off must go there." "Many can't go there; and many would rather die." "If they would rather die," said Scrooge, "they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population." Seeing clearly that it would be useless to pursue their point, the gentlemen withdrew. Scrooge resumed his labours with an improved opinion of himself, and in a more facetious temper than was usual with him.
UPDATE 5
An important point of clarification in a comment from mom-in-the-middle
She pointed out that not every state gives the full 99 weeks....
You know something that has not been pointed out...
Is people like my husband and I do not get above tier 3 because they claim our state is at 6.7 % UR. So even if they do offer another tier it would not help people like us after our tier 3 runs out.
... a comment from mom in the middle
UPDATE 6
From Tax Cuts: The Real End Game Is In The House -- Howard Fineman Huffpost article
The Senate-based deal is likely to include a two-year extension of Bush-era income tax cuts, even for the wealthiest families and a reauthorization of the existing program of jobless benefits so that some 2 million Americans don't lose them at Christmas.