South Carolinians: Act Now! Don't Let South Carolina Cut Benefits for Unemployed Workers

It's not easy to be an unemployed worker in South Carolina. Unemployment is sky-high, jobs are scarce, and last year the legislature cut state unemployment insurance (UI) benefits down to just 20 weeks — the lowest level in the country.

But while workers and families struggle in this tough economy, the state Senate will soon vote on two bills that would block access to critical UI benefits for many South Carolinians:

• S. 1026 would deny benefits to steady part-time workers — mostly women — who lose their jobs and cannot take on full-time employment due to child care responsibilities or other family obligations.
• S. 1069 would cut benefits for seasonal workers who have lost their jobs by making them ineligible for any benefits during the off-season.

We need your help to stop these bills from moving forward! Click here to look up your state Senator's phone number. Then, call and ask him to vote NO on S. 1026 and S. 1069!

When connected, please tell your Senator's office:

• Your name, where you are from, and that you are a constituent.
• Please tell _____________ that I strongly urge him to protect jobless workers in this tough economy by voting NO on S. 1026 and S. 1069. Thank you.

Every call matters!

There are over 200,000 unemployed workers in South Carolina, and at 9.5 percent, South Carolina's unemployment rate is one of the ten highest in the nation. Last year, more than half of all unemployed workers in the state searched for 6 months or more without finding work. There simply aren't enough jobs to go around.

Averaging $235/week, these modest UI benefits keep thousands of South Carolina's workers and families from falling from into poverty each year. Jobless workers spend benefits quickly to make ends meet, which means that UI benefits are one of the best ways to boost the state’s fragile economy.

Unemployed workers are not the enemy. The Senate should be helping jobless workers get back on their feet, not making their lives harder. Tell your Senator to vote NO on S. 1026 and S. 1069!