Unemployment Benefits Run Out For Thousands Of Californians
SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS)- If you think times are tough now, they're about to get tougher for nearly a half million unemployed Californians whose jobless benefits will run out by the end of this week.
KCBS' Holly Quan Reports:
150,000 Californians who have been relying on unemployment benefits may see their last $300 check this week, now that Congress has failed to extend long term benefits by a midnight deadline. Another 300,000 people have until the end of the month.California is facing the third highest unemployment rate in the nation, a fifth of the state's jobless, 450,000, are going to see their 99 weeks of benefits shrink to 26 weeks."Unemployment benefits really can be a lifeline to let people retool for the jobs that do exist, accepting that the jobs they had are likely never to come back," said Abby Snay with the Jewish Vocational Services in SF, a job placement group.Congressional Republicans blocked the extension saying they want to see spending cuts to offset the costs, a move criticized by California Senator Barbara Boxer who says allowing the benefits to lapse will send more people into poverty.
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