In the News

SEATTLE — Over the past week unemployment benefits ended for 25,000 Washingtonians who have been out of work longer than six months.  And thousands more will lose them over the next several months if Congress doesn’t extend the program.

“I have about a month or two worth of savings,” said Brett Ivey, who has been receiving benefits since summer.  “I don’t think about beyond that because it’s far too stressful.”

Democrats say it’s one of their highest priorities when Congress reconvenes Monday.  But so far Republicans say no deal, unless the benefit extension, which averages about $300 per week for each beneficiary, is offset by cuts elsewhere in the budget.

On Thurday. Rep. Suzan DelBene, D-Wash., hosted a forum with a number of people whose benefits just ran out.

Ivey, a health care worker who was laid off earlier this year, says he’s applied for dozens of jobs, but that the competition is fierce for openings that do exist.

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