Press Release of Senator Cantwell

Cantwell Increases Safety Net for Washington State Workers and Families Struggling with Unemployment

Unemployed Washingtonians Eligible for 33 weeks of Additional Unemployment Insurance

Thursday, January 29,2009

WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, during a Senate Finance Committee executive session, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) successfully secured an additional 33 weeks of unemployment benefits to certain workers in Washington state who have exhausted their rights to regular unemployment compensation benefits. Also, individuals receiving unemployment insurance could receive an additional $25 a week.

“This week, U.S. companies announced more than 71,000 job cuts, and more than 200,000 job cuts have been announced this year, said Cantwell. “More people have lost their jobs now than at any other time since World War II, and in Washington state, the unemployment rate has skyrocketed to 7.1 percent, the biggest one month increase in more than three decades. In December alone, 90,331 new unemployment applications were filed in Washington state. By increasing and extending unemployment compensation, struggling families can get the additional support they need to make it through these tough economic times.”

In addition to extending the temporary emergency unemployment compensation program through December 31, 2009 and creating an additional, federally-funded $25 weekly benefit to individuals receiving unemployment compensation, the stimulus package provides incentive payments for states that modernize their programs.

The Special Transfers for Unemployment Compensation Modernization section of the stimulus package permits the transfer of up to $7 billion in funds from the federal unemployment account to state accounts. Funds will be distributed to states that qualify based on the percentage of a state’s share of federal unemployment taxes by state employers. For example, Washington state currently qualifies for $48 million in additional funding. Should Washington enact one additional reform, the state will qualify for the full $145 million in federal modernization funds.

The Special Transfers in Fiscal Year 2009 for Administration section transfers $500 million from the federal employment security administration to state accounts within 30 days of enactment. Washington state would receive $10.5 million.

Finally, a new, temporary emergency contingency fund is created under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. These funds will be available to states with increased cash welfare caseloads under TANF.

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Maria's Monday Memo To sign up for Maria's weekly newsletter, enter your email address: Search The Site	News Press Release of Senator Cantwell Cantwell Increases Safety Net for Washington State Workers and Families Struggling with Unemployment Unemployed Washingtonians Eligible for 33 weeks of Additional Unemployment Insurance Thursday, January 29,2009 WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, during a Senate Finance Committee executive session, U.S. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) successfully secured an additional 33 weeks of unemployment benefits to certain workers in Washington state who have exhausted their rights to regular unemployment compensation benefits. Also, individuals receiving unemployment insurance could receive an additional $25 a week. “This week, U.S. companies announced more than 71,000 job cuts, and more than 200,000 job cuts have been announced this year, said Cantwell. “More people have lost their jobs now than at any other time since World War II, and in Washington state, the unemployment rate has skyrocketed to 7.1 percent, the biggest one month increase in more than three decades. In December alone, 90,331 new unemployment applications were filed in Washington state. By increasing and extending unemployment compensation, struggling families can get the additional support they need to make it through these tough economic times.” In addition to extending the temporary emergency unemployment compensation program through December 31, 2009 and creating an additional, federally-funded $25 weekly benefit to individuals receiving unemployment compensation, the stimulus package provides incentive payments for states that modernize their programs. The Special Transfers for Unemployment Compensation Modernization section of the stimulus package permits the transfer of up to $7 billion in funds from the federal unemployment account to state accounts. Funds will be distributed to states that qualify based on the percentage of a state’s share of federal unemployment taxes by state employers. For example, Washington state currently qualifies for $48 million in additional funding. Should Washington enact one additional reform, the state will qualify for the full $145 million in federal modernization funds. The Special Transfers in Fiscal Year 2009 for Administration section transfers $500 million from the federal employment security administration to state accounts within 30 days of enactment. Washington state would receive $10.5 million. Finally, a new, temporary emergency contingency fund is created under the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program. These funds will be available to states with increased cash welfare caseloads under TANF. ###
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