Now that the Federal Government has approved a two year budget agreement, we need to determine its impact on our clients and communities. By setting appropriations totals at $1,012.2 billion in FY 2014 and $1,013.6 billion in FY 2015, the agreement allows the House and Senate Appropriations Committees to determine program-by-program spending levels. However, we do know that federal unemployment insurance benefits for long-term jobless was not extended. We are asking you to contact your federal representatives to ask that they extend the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program as soon as they return to work! To find your U.S. Congressman: http://www.house.gov/representatives/ To find your U.S. Senator: http://www.senate.gov/general/contact_information/senators_cfm.cfm Please sign this petition to extend emergency unemployment insurance benefits: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/312/502/128/extend-unemployment-benefits-through-2014/ On December 18, 2013, the US House and Senate passed the Bipartisan Budget Act, a two-year budget agreement that will undo at least some of the impending sequestration cuts, and will prevent the government from shutting down again on January 15, 2014. As part of the agreement, Republicans were able to say that they did not raise taxes, and that the end result would be to reduce the deficit some more. Democrats pointed to the fact that they prevented further cuts to programs like Social Security, Medicaid, or SNAP/food stamps. However, Congress refused to include the renewal of the Emergency Unemployment Compensation (EUC) program despite the fact that the number of people out of work for more than six months rose in November – it was higher than in September or October. This federally funded unemployment insurance for the long-term jobless who exhaust their state benefits expired on December 28th. Between Christmas and New Year’s, 1.3 million people will lose benefits, which average $260 per week. If Congress does not act to re-start the program, another 3.6 million people will lose access to benefits by the end of 2014. LATEST POSTS
CSBG MAKES THE CONNECTION
CSBG is the glue that allows community action to operate other anti-poverty prorgams, including Head Start, the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance (LIHEAP) Prorgam, the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Prorgam, and the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Nutrition Program, to have more of an impact. In addition, CSBG is the only federal progam focused on offering comprehensive services to help Americans achieve economic security.
YOU CAN HELP MAKE A DIFFERENCE! In addition to model letters, videos, press stories, twitter feeds, and instructions to contact our federal elected officials, we have started blog feeds on issues affecting Community Action. We welcome your stories and pictures on the site as well! If you would like to send us information, please email us at communityactionworks@gmail.com. In addition, we urge you donate to the National Community Action Foundation’s (NCAF) Community Action Political Action Committee (CAP-PAC). Your financial contributions allow the NCAF Executive Director the valuable opportunity to network and insure that CSBG is a priority for members of Congress. |
Please sign this petition to extend emergency unemployment insurance benefits:
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