Unemployment Deal Reached

The Senate just reached a deal that would renew benefits for the long-term unemployed-- at least for a little while. This is an especially big deal for Floridians. The federal benefits generally pick up when state assistance runs out. But since the end of January, that help wasn’t there for the 1 in 14 Floridians who are unemployed.
 
According to a Florida International University report released earlier this year, Floridians are disproportionately affected by changes to these long-term benefits. That’s because, on the unemployed here stay that way for longer than anywhere else, 44 weeks on average.
 
With payments retroactive to December, the current deal would provide 5 months of assistance, running out for everyone in May.