The group, which tracks labor issues, found six states in 2011 shortened the amount of time the unemployed can collect insurance payments. For 50 years, states offered at least 26 weeks of benefits, with the federal government recently helping to cover additional weeks.
Other states altered the formulas for determining the amount of benefits people can receive or tightened eligibility in order to reduce spending on the program.
"Most states that addressed solvency concerns this year favored policies that limit the amount of benefits ... by cutting them absolutely or by reducing the number of workers they may reach," the group found.
States are cutting back in order to pay their bills, and the first people on the chopping block are people who lose their jobs in 2011.
The group said Florida has enacted changes that are "among the deepest and most sweeping cuts." Starting in January, the number of weeks a person can collect benefits will be based on a sliding scale, with a maximum of 23 weeks.
In Michigan, Missouri, and South Carolina claimants will only be able to take 20 weeks of benefits.
Forget the 99'ers falling off the cliff. Now it's people who have to find a job in just 20 weeks or else. Never mind that the average length of unemployment in the US is now twice that level, an all-time high, 39.9 weeks is the average as of June.
So yes, when Americans need unemployment benefits the most and need jobs even more, Republicans are making sure we cut back and leave millions in a deep pit.
They figure you'll reward them for doing so. In fact, they're absolutely sure you will.
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