DLT director: Thousands hurt by extension failure

PROVIDENCE – The director of the R.I. Department of Labor and Training said that about 150 Rhode Islanders are exhausting their unemployment benefits each week, and that number could grow.
Sandra Powell’s comments came in an Associated Press report about the potential effect Congress not extending unemployment benefits for another three months would have. Powell told the AP that about 17,000 Rhode Islanders would be affected, either because they’ll have fewer weeks to collect federal unemployment insurance aid or because they won’t qualify at all for the help.
Democrats in the House failed this month to get the two-thirds vote needed for an extension to pass, crippling chances for renewed aid to continue past the Dec. 1 expiration date approved this summer. About 5 million people nationwide who have been out of work for six months claim the benefits, the AP said.
Many people could transition into the state’s extended unemployment benefits program, which funds aid for up to 20 weeks, said department spokeswoman Laura Hart. However, that aid could change or go away as the economy improves and the need becomes less urgent.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said she hopes to revisit the jobless aid after Thanksgiving to extend benefits at least through the holidays, but Senate Democrats hope to take up the issue in year-end negotiations over taxes. &#8226