By Saniya Ghanoui -- July 22, 2010
President Obama is expected to receive and sign a bill today which will extend unemployment benefits for millions of people who have seen their payments lapse.
The Senate approved yesterday in a 59-39 vote to pass a $34 billion bill which will provide benefits for people who have already received their standard 26 weeks of unemployment.
The measure also extends the application deadline for unemployment benefits to November.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said the extended benefits help those in his state who need the most support.
"Nevada families struggling to make ends meet have endured more than their share: after losing their jobs through no fault of their own, they were forced to wait weeks for an important safety net that was supposed to be there," Reid said in a statement.
Unemployed people, who have been out of work for over six months, stopped receiving checks last month after Congress delayed passage of an extended deadline.
Under this newly passed measure, jobless people can receive benefits retroactively.
Federal unemployment benefits start after the state-funded 26 weeks of payments has ended. Federal benefits last up to 72 weeks.
The federal benefit structure works on a tier system and those on unemployment must apply each time they move to a new tier.
Republicans have expressed concern about paying for the extended payments saying they support the benefits but do not want it to add to the deficit. Some Republicans suggested paying for the benefits by using any unused stimulus money, but Democrats rejected that idea.
The House is expected to approve the legislation this afternoon and Obama should receive the measure by the day's end.
(Photo courtesy: AP Images)
