Despite federal extension, Kansans approach end of unemployment benefits

July 21, 2010|By Megan Strader | KWCH 12 Eyewitness News

(WICHITA, Kan.) — The U.S. Senate approves another extension for the millions of people out of work. That vote came Wednesday evening and still has to pass in the House of Representatives. It's an extension that allows laid-off aviation workers in Kansas to hold out for better jobs.

For Phillip Burkenfeld, there's one plus to being out of work, he gets to spend a lot time with his daughter. But with the highs come the lows.

"How many applications have I filled out online? More than I could ever count. How many calls have I gotten back? I can count on one hand."

Cessna laid off Burkenfeld early last year. Since then, he's used up more than half of his unemployment benefits.

States generally give benefits for up to 26 weeks. If Congress extends federal benefits, people can collect for up to 60 more.

Kansas will also give an extra 13 weeks of emergency funding once federal benefits end, adding up to more than a year and a half of unemployment help. A length of time even Burkenfeld says can make a person pretty complacent.

"The government is enabling. I think I probably could have stepped out and taken two of these burger flipping, gas station jobs six months ago."

Burkenfeld says the benefits allow him to look for a job that's comparable to what he had. But with only about four months left before his money runs out, he's prepared for what he'll have to do.

"Without question, it's coming. I've mentally prepared myself and kind of told her (my daughter) how it's going to be that when this happens - dad's going to work, he'll be working two jobs."

Sacrificing time with his daughter, the one thing he says has kept him going.

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