Unemployment Benefit Increase - $25 Increase in weekly benefit checks through the end of 2009.
Extended Unemployment Benefits - Extends current legislation extending unemployment benefits by an additional 33 weeks beyond the 26 week base benefit.
Food Stamps Increase - 13% increase in current food stamp benefits.
Income Taxation - The first $2,400 of unemployment benefits would not be subject to Federal Income Taxes.
State Unemployment Benefit Expansion
Income-Based Eligibility - One Third of the stimulus money will be granted to states which change the eligibility guidelines to include income-based eligibility. The move is expected to benefit low-wage workers and drastically increase unemployment rolls.
Increase Eligibility For Benefits - Two-thirds of the stimulus money set aside for unemployment is based upon State's adopting two of four potential changes to their unemployment programs. If a state fails to adopt the changes, they do not receive funds. The four choices are:
- States must include individuals who are only seeking part-time work.
- States must include individuals who voluntarily leave employment to care for compelling reasons such as a family illness or domestic abuse.
- States must include those in "training programs"
- States must include those who request additional funds for dependents who qualify.
