for how long can one collect UI in Ca now? i've heard about all these extensions and lost track already. if one is fully employed and making way above the threshold, how many weeks of UI can one get in california now, including all available extensions.

99 weeks including regular benefits BUT - unless they extend the Feb 2010 deadline - anyone not on an EUC extension at that time is SOL and if you are on an EUC extension tier, you only get to exhaust that tier and do not qualify for further EUC tiers

99 weeks...that is almost two years...are you su re?

yup - read the nelp link I provided most states are now at 73 weeks extensions plus initial 26 weeks regular benefits

and yet if I have a 3 month gap on my resume people don't want to interview me for a job...what kind of fantasy world are some people living in?

A THREE month gap is pretty much inconsequential today. A gap of a year or more though, still tends to raise flags.

don't know I encounter that a lot when talk with younger hr/recruiters. Older ones just ask me things like what was I doing during that gap and what were my job hunting methods.

True -- 3 months is nothing Try 2-3 years.

I feel your pain. Ive been out for some time and think this will only make it worse. I have had a few interviews lately though. Unfortunately, I am in my 50s and on more than one instance certainly felt the vibes that my age, more than the gap in employment, has doomed me. Ive been thru lesser downturns in the past but think I am really totally screwed this time!

I had a gap that was over 18 and near 24 months back in the GOOD times, LOL.. You need to get a grasp on spinning that time in a way that makes you look good. A large gap was infinetly harder to deal with back when UE was 5%, trust me on this...

This is encouraging. T/y!

LOL- anyone who spent 3 years as a coach potato is going to have a problem. But most unemployed actually do spend some time perfecting some skills whether computer research, web design work, or gourmet cooking on a budget. So, I agree that volunteering can help but so can your network of friends who really want to see you employed rather than sofa surfing at their house. They might be able to provide references too. Unemployment even with extensions is only a temporary fix- it is a bandaid on something that can be more like an amputation of a limb. Concentrate on where to get employed rather than how long the bandaid will last.

I am staying busy. I volunteer work at a horse ranch, mostly just scooping horse manure, if not that then driving the tractor pushing even bigger piles of horse manure around. I have truly gone to "shit" in this economy!

Very funny Really, it is funny because I was thinking how you list that on your resume. It reminds me of working as a "mushroom"---kept in the dark, given a lot of shit, and canned in the end.

some are still out of touch with the reality of today's job markets

didnt they extend the deadline in Dec to Feb??? Is it a real possibility they will extend deadline further? I am trying to figure out how much more UI in Ca I have, if any. I initially filed on Nov 8, 2008 and after receiving my check last week, looks like I only have enough left in my current account for one more weeks payment. When looking at EDD website, extension criteria/etc are a little confusing. I think I am eligible for more benefits/extensions but not totally sure? I think Ive collected approx 60 weeks up to now.

20 weeks possible with the jobs bill If they don't extend UI further, unemployed will start defaulting on mortgages, stealing food, etc. 15 million out of work, chasing 3 million hypothetical jobs.

the jobs creation bill has the possibility of extending the deadlines for EUC tiers to June 30th (adding 4 months to the current Feb deadline extended from Dec 2009) There hasn't been any indication of adding any more tiers to the EUC though

LOL well that's not it's actual title it's the Jobs for Main Street Act bill I think (still a pretty sucky title though)

I agree why extending the benefits is good there should be more done to create jobs in this country. And contrary to popular belief it is not that people are too good to take low paying jobs (well some people perhaps). I never thought I would be a college grand with honors working for barely above min wage to survive but here I am and I know people with as much education who would kill to be in my shoes. And as far as places like Walmart and Target. Well they are getting hundreds of applicants for only a handful of jobs. Go to any job fair and you see hoards of people all ages and races to try to get a position. Of course my plan to fix this mess is ed too harsh by some people.

15 MM peeps chasing 3 MM jobs? ooooo...that's not so good, is it? LOL! Daaa-yummm! Just curious --- do you remember where you heard about the 3MM jobs part?

Did you go to your Employment offc ask You can't depend on the website; go in person.

The EUC tier benefits and deadlines are what they are - nothing changes that info. and how many tiers your state is eligible to grant depends on the UE rate in that state