Bront's Forums

I recently found out I can't qualify for energy assistance because of the new unemployment subsidy of $25 a week I am getting (by $20 btw).  That means I'll lose out on ~$200 of financial aid.

Apparently, this isn't common, and often times $20 can make the difference between $400 in aid or nothing.

Did I mention that the new mortgage adjustment stuff still requires you to have a job?

That I am aware of.  The problem is, that while they would like to save money, pouring money into the economy will help it.  When you're facing the worst financial crisis since the great depression, you have to do what you have to do.

Stock market losses (My retirement funds are down in value since last year, despite putting money into them twice a month), the rate of job loss, underemployment (If I got a job at McDonalds, I'd statistically be employed), length of unemployment, and bankruptcy/foreclosure rates. 

Inflation numbers have been skewed, particularly by the drop in gas prices, but also by other factors.  If you use the same inflation metric that was used back in 1980, or 1930, it would be a lot higher.  On top of that, Interest rates have helped keep it in check by being held somewhat artificially low.

There's a good chance one of the big 3 American car makers may go under.  Banks are in trouble.  And people are simply walking away from their homes, making those that need to sell their homes have even more problems.

I get the $25 supplement, and I'm more annoyed that irked about it.  And I understand the job thing.  The idea is to save mortgages that can be maintained in some way.  It's frustrating, but I understand it.

Since I was working in UI Benefits in the recessions of '74 and '81, both were still worse IMO (so far).

The maximum of UI Benefits was 65 weeks in '74, and it was possible to have received up to 26 weeks of Special Unemployment Assistance initially, as well, making it possibly 91 weeks altogether.

The Unemployment rate in 81-82 was over 10% too.