The fallout from the federal government's failure to reach a consensus on a workable plan for unemployment benefits has far reaching effects for millions of families and many public service entities. While teachers and parents struggle with choices no one ever assumed would be necessary, the question of how the unemployed will be able to survive looms over the heads of every person for whom they are responsible.
Sadly, the new normal has evolved into an ever-changing, but less than fluid, stream of congressional debates and disagreements, which have only managed to disenchant a significant portion of the nation's population. What does this indecision mean for the millions who need relief now? Furthermore, what does it mean for politicians who are slow to provide aid, especially in an election year? Considering all the impacts here, this roller coaster ride is becoming more and more shaky at every turn.
No Plan Means No Relief
By David Nelson
California, Sacramento (August 7, 2020)
Coronavirus has absolutely had a significant impact on the nationwide unemployment rate, and California has been no exception. In 2019, the statewide unemployment rate was at a mostly manageable rate of 4 percent. Yet in April 2020, one month into the COVID - 19 issue, it rose to a staggering rate of 15.5 %, which was an increase of 1226.7% from just a year ago.
The strain placed on California’s workforce was manifested in a significant reduction in workload and hours, as well as millions whose jobs were taken away altogether due to business changes and closures. In a mere three-month period following the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, in California alone, there were approximately 5.2 million new unemployment claims filed. Consequently, this put an elevated strain on California’s Employment Development Department’s staff and computer system.
One factor contributing to the increased frustration is the fact that the state has rarely seen the volume of claims in this modern era that is anywhere close to current levels, and both the employees and the computer system felt the impact. Processing times were severely impacted, and claimants trying to reach staff members for assistance by phone and by email had a great deal of difficulty getting a helpful response.
As the crisis continued to unfold, Governor Gavin Newsom was giving daily updates on the local news broadcasts. He extended EDD call center hours, directing the department to hire additional staff from internal and external sources to manage the unprecedented volume of claims. Even these measures were largely ineffective, given the workload.
I have been in contact with claimants who opened their cases as far back as late March and early April, and they have still not received any of their funds. The State has said once the claims are approved, payments will be issued retroactive to the first week of eligibility, but some people have been waiting several months and feel powerless to secure any form of relief.
In some cases, families have been forced to move in with relatives to help make ends meet. They are also making other sacrifices that have become necessary consequences of their reduced income. All of which are direct impacts of the health crisis that most of us could not have foreseen and were very unprepared to deal with, through no fault of our own.
Creditors may be understanding and sympathetic to people’s situations, but these feelings will not last forever, as even they have bills to pay. Over this last weekend, the additional Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) from the federal government of $600 expired, and no new agreement has been reached to determine what will happen with this.
To add insult to injury, many people who relied very heavily on this extra help prior to the end of July, watched (like children in the window when the ice cream truck is on the street), as the deadline came and went. We watched the two largest political parties bicker across party lines, neither with a workable plan in place, as the deadline drifted out of sight. The bulk of the discussion centered on this economic crisis seems to be each party blaming the other for the fact that no resolution has been created.
What would really be helpful is for the American public to watch these “leaders” come together and earn their six figure salaries in a bipartisan effort to help the working class. We are, after all, the people who elected them to these public service positions. We, “the people”, would rather see them stop making ludicrous, insulting statements about our country not opting to use taxpayer funds to “pay people more to stay home than they would make if they were working”. Many of their jobs are gone-not vacant-due to people being unwilling to work in conditions that could cost them their lives.
Reopening schools, yet another key factor for which no nationwide plan has been developed, will also impact people’s ability to return to work. If parents are forced to stay home and educate their children, the unemployment situation is, most likely, compounded for them. Should they choose not to send their offspring to a brick and mortar building, a scenario in which officials cannot guarantee the safety of those who spend their days there, then they are stuck at square one. I am beyond grateful I do not have to make that decision, and my prayers are with those who do.
David Nelson began writing through his position as a Labor Union Representative. He is the father of two Marines and is a Sacramento, California native. David enjoys helping people get social justice and a better quality of life. Find David on Facebook at facebook.com/david.nelson.5473
Don't forget to check out the rest of the articles in the series!
Subscribe to the Writer's Block for more articles like this.
Comments