Congress can’t forget needs of unemployed,especially in the hardest hit areas of Alabama

The latest statistics according to the Labor Department, the rate In Alabama of unemployment rose to 10.9 percent. This comes after a brutal recession the last 23 months, and it shows that unemployment rates continue to climb.

<!--more-->

Alabama Department of Industrial Relations data continues to show that the Black Belt counties were among the hardest-hit in showing more than a quarter of the work force (25.1%) unemployed in Wilcox County alone.

While government economists say that hiring is the last part of a recovery from any recession, Congress  is left to quickly extend emergency federal unemployment aid, which will run out for more than a million people in January.

Alabama usually provides 26 weeks of unemployment insurance for those who lose their jobs, with weekly checks averaging about $300. But because of the length of this recession, Congress has extended those benefits four times, the latest on Nov. 6, when states like Alabama, with unemployment rates above 8.5 percent, received money for an additional 20 weeks of unemployment compensation.

The latest extension boosted the total number of weeks a person could collect unemployment to as long as 99 weeks in the hardest-hit states, but the bill that passed earlier this month will provide additional compensation only through Dec. 31 for those who have used up their 26 weeks of base unemployment compensation — even in the states with the highest unemployment rates.

If new money is not allocated by Congress, the National Employment Law Project estimated last week that 450,000 Americans will lose all compensation on Jan. 1, 2010, with another 600,000 running out of extended coverage during that month.

The NELP said more than 9 million people are receiving unemployment compensation, — 5 million of those from state programs and another 4 million-plus from the federal extensions.

How To Do Your Alabama Unemployment Weekly Certification

In many states, not just Alabama, the unemployment rate has hit an alarming all time high. States all over the U.S are seeing an increasing rate in dislocated workers. Regardless, if you are in a regular UC claim, or filing for your EUC benefits, you will need to know, how to do your Alabama unemployment weekly certification. All information may be obtained by utilizing the Alabama Department of Industrial Relations website. Once you have established a valid UI claim with the Alabama Department of Industrial Relations you will be able to file your weekly certification online, or by phone.

You will go to the Alabama Department of Industrial Relations website. On the front page there will be a button for unemployed workers to click; from there you will be taken to another page. This page will tell you how to do your Alabama unemployment weekly certification. You will need to follow the directions carefully. To access the weekly claim certification page, you will need to click the button beside, file weekly certification. You can then begin to answer the questions provided for you. Remember to answer all questions given honestly. After answering your questions, make sure you recheck your answers for accuracy. Any mistakes could cause you a delay in receiving your benefits. Once you have reviewed your answers submit your weekly claim and make sure the system accepts it. You will need to keep accurate records of all your work search history. You may be asked to come into your local office and provide those documentations.

There are certain times claimants will only be allowed to file. This allows the system time to update its information. The filing times are listed below.
You will not be able to access the weekly filing page Monday-Thursday 5:15pm to 9:00pm, or Friday-Sunday 5:15pm to 12:01am. You may also call your claims in utilizing the filing methods over the phone. The numbers to call are listed on the Alabama Department of Industrial Website. There is also a page accessible through unemployed workers where you can check the status of your last five weekly certifications.

If you have other questions regarding how to do your Alabama unemployment weekly certification, you will need to call or visit your local office.

How To Do Your Alabama Unemployment Weekly Certification

http://dir.alabama.gov

Alabama Department of Industrial Relations announced today that Alabama’s unemployment rate for December 2009 rose to 11.%.

This is rather a dire  increase   from November’s rate of 10.5%. December’s rate represents 225,596 unemployed persons. Wage and salary employment declined by 9,300 with losses occurring within the following sectors: expert and

company providers, leisure and hospitality, construction, educational and wellness providers, government, monetary activities, and manufacturing. Gains occurred within the following ectors: trade, transportation and utilities, other providers, organic resources and mining, and info.

“Although we became a little hopeful due to last month’s unemployment decrease, I think we all realize the reality from the economic situation in this country,” said Surtees. “We are continuing to see Alabamians suffer from the recession and remain committed to serving them. During 2009, we distributed advantages exceeding $1.2 billion and will continue to assist the unemployed with all from the state and federal resources at our disposal."

The counties using the lowest unemployment rates have been: Shelby at 7.6%, Madison at 7.7%, and Coffee at 8.1%. Counties using the highest rates have been: Wilcox at 24.5%, Monroe at 20.2%, and Dallas at 20.1%.

For 2009, Alabama’s preliminary average unemployment rate was 9.8%. Wage and salary employment declined by 65,100. Annual losses occurred in manufacturing, construction, trade, transportation, and utilities, expert and company providers, monetary activities, leisure and hospitality, info, other providers, and organic resources and mining. The only annual gains have been recorded in education and wellness providers and government.

About the Alabama DIR

DIR offers providers which have considerable impact about the financial well-being of all Alabamians. It is really a core partner in Alabama’s Career Center Program which offers one-stop work and training providers as mandated by the Workforce Investment Act.

the Alabama Department of Industrial Relations work isn’t just to hand out joblessness checks to those that qualify. We assist individuals discover new jobs and assist employers discover the workers they require. We also assist both employers and workers to resolve workers’ compensation issues. These efforts save taxpayer dollars and assist maintain individuals off the welfare rolls.

You can find 5 operational divisions in the Alabama Department of Industrial Relations department which perform to enhance the high quality of life for the Alabama Department of Industrial Relations citizens as nicely as enhance the company climate for Alabama employers. They are: Work Assistance (ES), Joblessness Compensation (UC), Workers’ Compensation (WC), Labor Marketplace Info (LMI), and Mining and Reclamation. Every of these divisions should meet statutory standards of high quality, whilst maintaining a delicate balance between the interest of people and also the interests of company.

DIR is working tough to build partnerships with employers, the community, and governmental agencies to offer a much better financial climate for Alabama’s workforce and employers.

The remaining sections on this page outline these providers as nicely as the overall missions from the 5 divisions. Should you require further info on any of the Alabama Department of Industrial Relations providers, please make contact with either the central office at 334/242-8055, or call a single from the neighborhood offices in your region.

Joblessness Compensation

The Joblessness Compensation (UC) division is built around a single central idea: a worker who loses his work, via no fault of his own, deserves financial assist.

It advantages employers simply because it enables them to maintain their workforce together throughout short-term layoffs. It aids people by supplying them with fundamental sustenance cash until they become re-employed. Both groups also profit simply because joblessness insurance plan helps stabilize neighborhood economies throughout a recession. Administration from the UC plan is completely funded by Federal Joblessness Taxes (FUTA).

Each effort is taken to create this division customer-service oriented via the use of telephone claims, streamlined operations, and expanded providers. These improvements have been implemented whilst maintaining a low joblessness compensation tax rate for Alabama employers.

This division strives to maintain the employer community up-to-date on accessible programs along with other items of interest. This is accomplished within the following methods:

* Employer Digest newsletter articles on any UI law changes or new programs,
* fact sheets on UC eligibility rules,
* posters, special info packages and a number of employer info handbooks,
* videos on new programs for example Alabama New Hire, and claimant profiling,
* a "Tax Quick List" to assist employers in finding the correct taxing agency in their region and info on locating small company improvement centers.

For further info on any of these providers make contact with the UC division at 334/242-8025. To statement UC fraud call 1-800-392-8019.

Worker’s Compensation

This division humanizes the Alabama workplace via its protective effort for employees and employers. It administers the Alabama Workers’ Compensation (WC) law supplying compensation for work associated injuries and occupational diseases. In so doing. safety within the workplace is encouraged and expanded for all workers.

The law requires all job-related injuries to become reported towards the insurance plan carrier which will in turn file the Employer’s First Statement of Injury to this division. A record should be kept on all jobrelated injuries and reported to this division until the final compensation is issued.

This division has a compliance section which promotes employer compliance using the Alabama law. You can find field examiners in various areas from the express which enforce compliance using the law to offer every employee the same advantages.

You can find 5 methods Alabama employers might buy workers’ compensation coverage:

1. from an approved workers’ compensation carrier who will write an insurance plan policy;
2. from the Assigned Risk Pool when insurance plan carriers refuse to write an insurance plan policy for you;
3. via a group self-insurance fund;
4. via individual self-insurance: or
5. via an approved alternative workers’ compensation policy from an authorized insurance plan carrier.

WC rates have stabilized since the passage from the 1992 WC Reform Act and rate stabilization will continue to become a higher priority in this division. Two key items within the reform have been responsible for this price containment: a cap about the amount providers might charge; and initiation of an ombudsman mediation plan to resolve disputes, resulting in reduced legal expenses.

The following additional providers are provided by WC to much better serve Alabama employers:

* Speakers for numerous civic organizations to address WC matters and also the
ombudsman plan.
* Brochures about the advantages from the ombudsman plan, and on WC insurance plan coverage for employers.
* 1-800-528-5166 number accessible for claimants wanting ombudsman assistance.
* Ongoing continuing education seminars accessible.
* Fraud and WC posters.
* Safety plan for businesses.
* Provider fee schedules and negotiated agreements with hospitals.

For further info on these providers, make contact with the WC division at 334/242-2868 or 1-800-528-5166. To statement alleged WC fraud call 1-800-923-2533.

Work Assistance

The fundamental function from the Alabama Express work Assistance may be the matching and referral of qualified work seekers with employer’s work openings. The work assistance offers assistance in work referral. employability improvement activities, and work improvement as nicely as occupational and training info.

Employers pay for this assistance via federal joblessness taxes. There’s never a fee for employers or applicants. The work assistance has proved itself for a lot more than 60 years to become an efficient. cost-effective program for putting individuals and jobs together. On any a single day, the work assistance has entry to thousands of work seekers locally, statewide, and across the nation.

Neighborhood work assistance offices are accessible to offer:

* Entry towards the largest single source of applicants which ensures the widest exposure for employer work openings.
* The matching of individuals with jobs accomplished by a high-tech, full-text retrieval program.
* Accessible space in neighborhood offices for employers to conduct interviews with work seekers.
* Automated typing and word processing tests.
* Info on alien labor certification, Perform Opportunity tax credit, and comprehensive labor marketplace info.
* An opportunity to network with other employers via the Alabama Employer Providers Committee, and to create recommendations on how the Alabama Express work Assistance can much better serve Alabama citizens.

Please make contact with your nearest neighborhood office for a lot more info.

Labor Marketplace Info

The Labor Marketplace Info (LMI) Division collects and analyzes labor marketplace information for dissemination to employers, financial developers, those researching work markets, along with other interested people. The division may be the primary source responsible for supplying info about Alabama’s population, work, joblessness, and wages. Labor Marketplace Info uses information from the Bureau of Labor Statistics programs, including Existing Work and Wages, Neighborhood Region Joblessness Statistics, and Occupational Work Statistics.

On August 7, 1998, President Bill Clinton signed the Workforce Investment Act (WIA) integrating the Wagner-Peyser strategy into the Express Workforce Improvement strategy and requiring public labor exchange activities to become a part from the one-stop program. Subsequently, Governor Siegelman designated the LMI Division as the single express agency responsible for the management of Alabama’s statewide work statistics program in accordance with Section 15 of WIA.

The Labor Marketplace Info Division offers providers via numerous means so that you can reach a broad audience. Labor marketplace information is accessible by individual phone request, presentations, publications, and also the Web as nicely. Publications accessible by request contain: Annual Average Labor Force Estimates, LMI Bulletin, Alabama Labor Marketplace News, 2001 Edition Alabama Wage Survey, Occupational Trends 1998-2008, 2000 Career Exploration Guide, and also the Occupational Work Statistics Survey. Affirmative action information and also the Consumer Price Index are also accessible by request.

The Web website (dir.alabama.gov/lmi) contains info for example wage information, existing joblessness rates, initial claims info, non-agricultural wage and salary information, and a division directory. The website also offers an on-line order form for the division’s publications.

Other providers from the LMI Division contain:

* Alabama’s Comprehensive Labor Marketplace Info Program (ACLMIS). ACLMIS is really a user-friendly software program that offers clients with simple entry to demographic, financial, and labor marketplace info. It graphically analyzes and displays a wide variety LMI stored within the nationally standardized America’s Labor Marketplace Info Program. The program is accessible via the Web, One-Stop Career Centers, and CD-ROM.
* The Geographic Info Program is really a mapping program that layers info for example population information, industry concentration, median earnings, along with other info over a map from the Express of Alabama to give a geographic perspective for developers, employers, planners, along with other interested people.

Unemployment in Alabama is a fact that we can’t escape if we’ve lost our jobs. Filing for it can be a little confusing but it’s not rocket science and with a little knowledge and paperwork gathered up ahead of time, you can get it accomplished and get those checks rolling in in no time. » Continue reading “Filing for Alabama Unemployment”

In the state of Alabama, for those who have energy problems, the low income or fixed income, or those who are receiving Alabama unemployment compensation because they have been laid off or lost their jobs in Alabama, there may be help for you in paying your utility bills if you’re having problems making ends meet.

Lets face it, not everyone has a savings account to fall back on. » Continue reading “Alabama Unemployment Help-Getting the Bills Paid”

No matter how you slice it, unemployment is hard on families. One of the first things to go may be your health care insurance, which is quite often provided to us by our employers. Making sure that you and your children have coverage for health care is important in the event of an emergency.

Medicaid can assist you in providing some healthcare coverages, as well as dental care when you’re no longer covered due to the loss of your job or benefits.
Coming directly from the Alabama Medicaid Coverage pages, here is what you can expect from Alabama Medicaid when you need to qualify for some medical coverage to get you through the tight times until you find a job. » Continue reading “Alabama Help With Medical Care For the Unemployed”

In Alabama, with the unemployment rate sitting at about 11 percent, above the national average which is really exorbitant itself, the worry is that before there is a new job, we’re going to run out of unemployment benefits. » Continue reading “Alabama Federal Extended Benefits”

Getting a job is probably the uppermost thing on your mind, but the immediate need of having an income while you’re looking is there as well and has to be addressed.

Alabama unemployment is the answer to the question of how to pay the bills while you’re seeking employment in Alabama. Navigating the various unemployment pages is always a little confusing, particularly for those who haven’t had to apply for it before and haven’t been out of work in quite some time.

For those of us who are out of work and over fifty, the odds are that we’re going to remain out of work just a little longer. This is also a big concern.  Will we have enough unemployment to carry us through until we find a job, which is normally about 24 weeks for middle aged workers.

The first thing you need to know is that Alabama provides for the extra weeks you may be out of work with Alabama unemployment benefits, as well as federal extensions that will help to keep you going while you’re seeking out new employment in Alabama. » Continue reading “Alabama Unemployment”

Alabama unemployment is surging upward sharply, which is the bad news. The good news is that there are jobs out there to be had, you just have to know where to look, how to apply and when they become available. » Continue reading “Alabama Job Projections”