Latest on Unemployment Benefits
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Updated: 5:24 PM Aug 29, 2009
Latest on Unemployment Benefits
Unemployment benefits will run out for more than 31-thousand jobless Floridians by the end of September. By year’s end 132-thousand Floridians will have exhausted their unemployment pay. Once the money’s gone many people will lose their homes to foreclosure.
Posted: 7:45 PM Aug 28, 2009
Reporter: Whitney Ray
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Unemployment benefits will run out for more than 31-thousand jobless Floridians by the end of September. By year’s end 132-thousand Floridians will have exhausted their unemployment pay. Once the money’s gone many people will lose their homes to foreclosure.

Jamie Alexander has been unemployed since last November and his 300 dollar a week unemployment check will stop coming soon. He doesn’t like to think about it.

“It will be hard. I can’t really say.”

Vincent Smith, an out of work caretaker, is also concerned about living without an income.

“I have a mortgage I have to pay. I just came back from paying a utility bill. I want to make sure I keep my lights on.”

By the end of September more than 31-thousand Floridians will have used up all their unemployment benefits. And by the end of the year an estimated 132-thousand people will join the ranks.”

Marc Taps, the senior attorney with North Florida Legal services says once people’s benefits run out, it will be hard for many to save their homes.

“It’s very difficult to work out a modification or work with a mortgage company when there is no income.”

Florida has the highest rate of foreclosure in nation, and with thousands of more Floridians losing their income, it will make a bad problem worse.

The state already has already exhausted its ability to pay unemployment claims. The state’s unemployment compensation fund ran dry Monday and now Florida is borrowing money from the federal government to pay claims.


Latest Comments

Posted by: angie Location: florida on Sep 6, 2009 at 06:41 AM

Max benefit for unemployment is $275 for 26 weeks. Someones not telling the truth! As required by Florida law, the base period is the first four of the last five completed quarters. The minimum weekly benefit amount is $32 and the maximum weekly benefit amount is $275. The maximum number of weeks a claimant may receive regular benefits in Florida is twenty six (26) weeks. So if he's been collecting since Nov. he's been overpaid.
Posted by: jimhenry Location: oakpark on Sep 1, 2009 at 01:31 AM

Check out http://www.obamamortgagerelief.org/ There needs to be a program for the elderly but not quite to retirement age for mortgage modification when the have lost their job during this particular recession. I made a decent wage because I put my time into a company and now have no job. I am looking at $10 - to $12 hr jobs after working all my life. You can't make a mortgage payment on that kind of money. I will eventually lose my home.
Posted by: Anonymous on Aug 29, 2009 at 08:40 PM

Why didn't you post my comment chickens . Do you want to end up like the NY Times with a foriegn owner doing hit pieces for convicted terrorist?