Bills Would Require Michiganders To Work For Welfare, Pass Drug Test

A bill has passed in the Michigan Senate that would require those receiving public assistance to do some “volunteer” work. Another bill, which passed the House Commerce Committee, requires drug testing, revoking benefits for welfare recipients who refuse the test or who test positive.

“What [the legislation] does, it says, in order for your to receive your cash assistance, your welfare check, you must provide some kind of community service to the community,” said the volunteer work bill’s sponsor, State Senator Joe Hune, who represents  Livingston and Shiawasse counties in Mid-Michigan.

Hune says he was inspired by a constituent who began to volunteer while on welfare — and that community service evolved into full employment.

“The whole intention is to make certain folks have some skin in the game, and I don’t feel that there’s any problem with making folks go out and do some kind of community service in order to receive their cash assistance,” Hune said. Read more >>

Federal budget cuts take a big bite out of unemployment checks

Precisely how those cuts are being carried out varies by state. Most are enacting an across-the-board reduction for all federal unemployment insurance recipients, but some are ending the program early or slashing benefits only for new enrollees.

And in some states, recipients should brace for an upcoming shock. The places that took the longest to implement the cuts will need to compensate by slicing off a bigger chunk of recipients' remaining checks.

Federal unemployment insurance, which kicks in when state benefits run out, is one of the programs caught up in the forced budget cuts known as sequester. An estimated 3.8 million people will see their federal payments reduced this fiscal year, which ends in September. Federal benefits can last up to 47 weeks. State benefits, which last up to 26 weeks, are not affected.

The overall cut equals about 10.7% of each recipient's benefits this year, or an average of about $450 per person. Some states began trimming their payments right after sequestration began in March. For others, the hit is still looming. Read more >>

Unemployed lose benefits if federal budget cuts go through

The long-term unemployed can kiss goodbye almost 10% of their weekly jobless benefits if federal budget cuts go into effect on March 1.

Many safety net programs, such as food stamps and Medicaid, are protected from the $85 billion in forced spending cuts, but extended federal unemployment benefits are vulnerable.

Those payments kick in when state benefits, which last up to 26 weeks, run out. Eligible workers can then collect federal benefits for up to 47 weeks. The payments, which average $300 a week, are an emergency measure Congress has been authorizing since 2008. It's a stopgap aimed at protecting the millions of Americans struggling to find new jobs in a challenging economy.

The forced spending cuts scheduled to take effect next month trim the program's funding. Recipients of those payments could lose an average of more than $400 in benefits each through the end of the federal fiscal year, according to the Department of Labor. The fiscal year ends on Sept. 30. Read more >>

Unemployment Benefits May Expire After Fiscal Cliff

After a 30-year career, managing housekeeping staff at a retirement community, Duckett was laid off last year. Despite looking for a job every day, she hasn't been able to find work. Duckett says if her unemployment benefits run out, she and her 14-year-old grandson, who lives with her, won't have enough money to eat.

"It's been a very difficult year," Duckett said. "The check keeps a roof over our head. ... I can't even imagine what we're going to do without that check."

She is among 2.1 million Americans who will no longer be able to apply for unemployment benefits in the New Year. Another 1 million people who don't have jobs will also exhaust their state benefits in early 2013 and lose their benefits, according to the National Employment Law Project, an advocacy group. Read more >>