New report shows 1.6 million nationwide have lost coverage since emergency benefits expired December 28
Congresswoman Chellie Pingree says the number of Maine people who have lost unemployment benefits has risen to 4,669 since emergency benefits expired on December 28.
"In the middle of one of the coldest winters we've had in a long time, thousands of families around the state have lost this critical safety net. For people struggling to put food on the table and heat their homes, the loss of these benefits is a real blow," Pingree said. "These checks were an economic lifeline for thousands of Maine people who are trying to find work but haven't yet found a job."
According to a new Congressional report, as of today 1.6 million Americans have been cut off from their unemployment insurance because Congress failed to extend the emergency benefits that were enacted during the economic recession and expired on December 28, despite the fact that the economy still has 1 million fewer jobs than before the recession began.
Pingree sponsored legislation that would extend those emergency benefits for a year.
