You lost your job more than a year ago and are still unemployed. You’ve had all the extensions in benefits that were offered: 26 weeks + 13 weeks + 7 weeks + 13 weeks = 59 weeks of benefits. You thought you’d find something by now!

Your savings are long gone; you’re cutting back on everything. No more gym. Cut off the cable TV. Cellphone plan switched to pay-as-you-go. Disconnected the DSL. Internet wherever you can find a signal (2 free hours at Starbucks a day on a $25 Gold Card). Looking for a place to crash. Food stamps, here I come!

But, wait! Did we read there might be a reprieve? According to the NY State Dept. of Labor website: “Legislation is pending for an additional 13 weeks of extended benefits. Therefore, if you have exhausted all your regular and emergency benefits, and are still unemployed, you should continue to claim weekly benefits in the usual manner. If the legislation is approved, you will receive payment for weeks claimed that are covered by the legislation. For updates, continue checking this website.”

I’ll be checking that website every day…

-By Yvonne Fitzner, Contributing Writer & Member