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Unemployed Americans Search for 'Lifeline' Until Jobs Return

   Carla Babb 28 September 2010

   Unemployed  workers  in  the  United  States are eligible for up to 99
   weeks of government-provided financial assistance. Those who have used
   up  their benefits call themselves "99ers" in reference to this limit.
   VOA's Carla Babb reports on how one 99er is struggling to survive with
   absolutely no income.
   Gregg Rosen lost his job as a sales manager nearly three years ago and
   is still unemployed.
   "It literally is like something in a dream, to remember what it's like
   to  actually  be able to go out, and put in a day's work and receive a
   day's pay," he said.
   At first, Rosen bought groceries and made house payments with the help
   from  unemployment  insurance.  It pays laid off workers up to half of
   their previous wages while they look for work. But now, that insurance
   has  run  out for him, and he has to make tough choices. He's cut back
   on medications and he no longer helps support his disabled mother.
   "That devastates me," said Rosen.

   New  research  says  the  U.S.  recession is now over, but many people
   remain  unemployed. Economist Heidi Shierholtz says unemployed workers
   face impossible odds.
   "There  is  literally  only  one job opening for every five unemployed
   workers,  so  four  out  of  five  unemployed workers have actually no
   chance of finding a new job," said Shierholtz.
   Businesses have downsized or shut down on main streets across America,