Legislators seek extension of EUC program

BY ANDREW SEGEDIN
　
The federally operated Emergency Unemployment Compensation program ended late last year, impacting tens of thousands of unemployed New Jerseyans.
U.S. Rep. Donald Payne Jr. [D-10], whose district represents half of Montclair, took to the House floor on Monday evening and called for his colleagues to extend the EUC program.
While speaking, Payne referenced an art teacher residing in Montclair by the name of Adam. Despite a degree from Columbia University and his best efforts, Adam has been unable to find work and was dependent on EUC funding, Payne said.
Speaking with The Times this past Tuesday, Payne recounted his own struggles with unemployment back in the late 1980s.
"I've lived it," Payne said. "I understand it. I know what it is. At the time, the job market was a bit different. I worked at a company for 10 years. I thought that was my future. It went out of business. One day it was gone. It's far too often now. This is how the economy is."
Payne said that the late 1980s began the trend of Americans no longer being able to depend on one company for their entire working lives, as past generations were able to do. The congressman said that he took umbrage with Republican members of Congress who called people dependent on EUC funds lazy, adding that the funds are theirs, and that they, through the years, paid into the system themselves.
Earlier this month, the Senate voted in favor of exploring a bipartisan effort to extend federal unemployment benefits for three months. Payne said that he had hoped that action by the Senate would carry over to the House, however, the Senate has since stalled on its original plans.
New Jersey's unemployment rate ranks the 10th highest in the nation at 7.8 percent, according to United States Department of Labor statistics current through November. The department reported the national unemployment rate was 6.7 percent in December.
With a higher-than-average unemployment rate, Payne said that New Jerseyans have been especially affected by cuts, estimating that 90,000 of the 1.3 million Americans impacted are New Jerseyans.
The congressman estimated that another 89,000 New Jerseyans are slated to be without unemployment benefits by mid-2014.
In a statement to The Times, U.S. Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen [D-11], whose district encompasses the other half of Montclair, turned the focus to job creation.
"Clearly, unemployment is a serious personal crisis for everyone out of work and their families. That's why Congress' top priority must be creating jobs and a healthy economy.
"I am eager to consider any fiscally responsible proposal to extend unemployment benefits for those in need. Unless and until the President and Congress can agree on such a plan, our focus should remain where it rightfully belongs: putting all Americans back to work."
The EUC program ceased on Dec. 28, New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development Director of Communications and Marketing Brian Murray told The Times via email. Murray explained that, though funded and controlled by the federal government, EUC funds were administered by states.
At the time of its discontinuation, 79,000 individuals were collecting EUC money through New Jersey: 69,000 New Jerseyans and 10,000 out-of-state residents.
New Jerseyans who lose employment, assuming they meet the proper criteria, are eligible for up to 26 weeks of state-funded unemployment insurance benefits, according to Murray. People who then moved onto EUC were required to take part in special sessions in community colleges and career centers to assist employment searches.
Murray stated that, during the height of the recession in 2010 and 2011, New Jerseyans could have been offered up to 99 weeks of unemployment insurance benefits - 26 weeks from the state, 53 weeks of EUC and another 20 weeks of what was referred to as federal Extended Benefits.
In July 2012, according to Murray, Extended Benefits discontinued. In September of 2012, EUC was reduced to 47 weeks, 14 weeks in Tiers I and II, nine weeks in Tier III and 10 weeks in Tier IV.
On July 20, 2013, the federal government eliminated Tier IV, according to Murray, claiming that New Jersey's unemployment situation improved to the extent that the state was no longer eligible.
In advance of the Dec. 28 date, Murray said that the state's Department of Labor and Workforce Development sent out letters and emails to those impacted.
People contacted were also made aware of Jobs4Jersey.com, an online portal for state employment services, and the state's OnRamp system - which allows users to upload their resumes to be circulated to prospective employers.
For the full story, visit northjersey.com/montclair.
On the Senate floor
In an email to The Montclair Times, Sen. Cory Booker stated: "Today, there are roughly three job seekers for every job that's available.
"We don't need to make things harder for folks looking for work. Not passing an extension of unemployment benefits is already having a real impact on more than 1 million Americans, including more than 90,000 New Jerseyans, and it stands to do further damage to our economy. So for me, the answer is simple, let's pass an extension of long-term unemployment benefits, and let's do it now."
Contact Andrew Segedin at segedin@northjersey.com
Source Northjersey.com