Jobless benefits approved

By SHANNON MUCHMORE World Staff Writer - 11/6/2009




Related story: Congress backs expansion of tax credit for homebuyers.


Unemployed Tulsans are among those looking to Congress for continued help as they try to find stable employment.

The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday approved extending jobless benefits for 14 weeks in Oklahoma and other states. President Barack Obama is expected to sign the measure into law Friday morning.

The bill would save about 1.9 million Americans from running out of unemployment benefits. It would be the fourth such extension since last June, according to the U.S. Labor Department.

The extension could help Debbie Littlefield, 50, who has been without a job for eight weeks.

"It would allow me to find a job that I could stay at rather than just something quick to get food on the table," said Littlefield, whose position as a nurse was terminated.

Her cable and Internet services have been cut off, and she struggles to provide for her 15-year-old daughter. Unemployment benefits help her eke by, she said.

"It pays my rent, and that's about it," Littlefield said.

Unemployment in Oklahoma was 6.7 percent in September, and the Tulsa area topped that at 7.0 percent, according to the state Department of Labor.

In September, national unemployment was at 9.8 percent, the worst in more than 20 years. New unemployment numbers are set to be released Friday.

Outside an Oklahoma Employment Security Commission office in Tulsa, Brian Doll, a pipefitter, said he was part of a 60-person layoff five weeks ago.

He saw a former coworker at the office for placement assistance but hasn't heard of anyone finding work yet.

Extended unemployment benefits would help Doll, 21, find a job in his field, which hasn't been easy, he said.

"I think it would help because I've been having trouble," he said. "I've been applying to jobs all over the place."

Maintenance worker Francis Metze, 63, said his age and payment history have kept him from finding work since his company downsized six months ago.

He's been told that he's overqualified, or that employers are looking for more long-term workers, he said.

Continued assurance of unemployment benefits would be great, Metze said.

"They (benefits) help out a lot," he said. "Eventually , it gets into the savings a little bit."



Shannon Muchmore 581-8378
shannon.muchmore@tulsaworld.com


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Tulsa World Reader Comments
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Few Clothes, America (11/6/2009 11:12:26 AM)
Unemployment has hit 10.3 for the nation. I agree with HiTechRedneck. There are other cities and states so seek jobs if there are none in Tulsa.

emotional_sting, tulsa - (11/7/2009 2:31:59 AM)
there is room for blame. the short term credit industry was and still is all but ignored. health care "reform", carbon cap and trade and huge bailouts have done nothing to better the jobs situation. the primary problem with politicians is the minor issue that most of them are brain dead.

you'rekidding, Tulsa (11/7/2009 12:46:47 PM)
I wouldn't mind an extension. I could still spend more time as a Big Brother and keep donating my unemployment checks to those who have been laid off from Benham or SAIC for their enjoyment on Brookside.

mr.peabody, country side oklahoma (11/6/2009 2:29:01 PM)
Thanks Jason- I woke up in bad mood. I guess I owe you one.

moon, shine (11/6/2009 3:56:01 PM)
I became a single woman and had to travel over 1200 miles to find a job that I could make enough to support myself. To a place where I've never been and know no one. It gets darn lonely but I found a great job.

moon, shine (11/6/2009 4:57:22 PM)
It's just that..where there is a will there is a way.

Whoknew?, Tulsa (11/6/2009 1:56:29 PM)
Blessed if they laid you off for a "proposed" health care plan...the shame on your company.

dork74, Broken Arrow (11/6/2009 5:37:44 PM)
I feel for you all too, I was laid off from a Fortune 20 company in Bentonville, AR in February and was unable to find a job in NW Arkansas. Luckily I found a great job here in Tulsa and moved back in May. It's great to be back home. I was lucky enough to have an employer that still paid me for that entire time (severance package) so I didn't have to collect unemployment but I was only about a week away from being able to file. Unfortunately the last time I got laid off (2001 from WorldCom) I wasn't that lucky so I know how difficult the unemployment office can be. Good luck to all of you out there that are jobless. Just keep the faith and you will eventually find a job.

Blessed, Broken Arrow (11/6/2009 10:19:31 AM)
Our "wonderful" president's proposed healthcare plan is the reason I was given for losing my job. It's a good thing that he's increasing the benefits since he's responsible for a lot of the jobs that have been lost in Tulsa.

reckless abandon, Tulsa (11/6/2009 11:19:15 AM)
Blessed--blaming doesn't make it so--the ecomonic downturn started a year ago. And regardless your situation points to the need for universal coverage--ability to seek care should not be dependant on being employed.

HiTechRedneck, Back40 (11/6/2009 7:07:34 AM)
I was laid off in January from a company in Missouri and did not find a job until July. I know how hard it, but those without a job need to stay proactive and keep knocking on doors and burning up the phone lines. I was blessed with a great job back in Oklahoma by doing such things.

CWG, Tulsa (11/6/2009 6:10:24 PM)
If the government would have stopped the increased flow of illegals there would be enough jobs,it ain't gonna get any better soon either, oops, I forgot,they don't take any good jobs,only menial labor.

sandpiper, (11/7/2009 11:45:56 AM)
It is so sad tht so many have lost their jobs during this recession. However, to those of you who are looking to find a better job than just grabbing something that is available, I can't help but wonder who decided that these times and opportunities could afford you the liberty to be choosy. Take it from someone who knows, as long as you have a job you can get by. Scale back your standard of living, or don't cry to me about how you managed to lose everything. All work is honorable, no matter what the position or pay. Collecting unemployment can be a financial death trap.

lizzy, Tulsa (11/6/2009 4:56:30 PM)
"Our "wonderful" president's proposed healthcare plan is the reason I was given for losing my job" Then you must have had a really "wonderful" employer.

confussed01, (11/6/2009 4:57:03 PM)
Im trying to get the straight talk about this unemployment extension.....OK unemployment office is stating that OK residence don't quailfy for the extension. That we wont be receiving the extension unless we fall to 8.5-10%. I spoke with one of their reps and a supervisor that tried explaining it to me. According to everything im reading on the net all states will receive this, yet they OK UE are stating that there are stipulations. Will we or wont we? does anyone know the real FACTS?????

confussed01, (11/6/2009 5:03:29 PM)
Moon- are you saying that we have to have a rate that low for us to get these benefits that everyone has taken so long to finally get approved for us?

GARFIELD, TULSA (11/6/2009 5:05:24 PM)
In 2004 I retired and so far hsve been able to get by on my pensions. My older home is paid off, so I AM one of the lucky ones. My heart does ache for all the folks in a bind now and right at Holiday time, too. Believe me, I feel for you. The thought of having to find work scares the tar out of me. Bless all of you, Lord have mercy---

skippy1, Tulsa (11/6/2009 3:22:59 PM)
Isn't it wonderful that people can blame a President that has only been in office for a year. I too have my gripes about him, but I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt since turning this economy around will take time. Most of the time it's one or two moronic Senators that throw a monkey wrentch into the works. (Must live up to election promises, no matter who it hurts)

skippy1, Tulsa (11/6/2009 3:23:33 PM)
wrench-sorry

Makeda, Tulsa (11/6/2009 12:47:53 PM)
Blessed - And you believed that??? Reckless - I completely agree.



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