There is now a lawsuit over Governor Holcomb’s decision to remove Indiana from the enhanced federal unemployment program. The suit is the first to try and stop a state from opting out. Twenty-five states have decided to end federal benefits for their citizens.
Indiana Legal Services, which provides free legal help across the state, joined the Concerned clergy of Indianapolis, and the law firm of Macey, Swanson, Hicks and Sauer, in suing to keep the state in the program.
Governor Holcomb ordered Indiana out of the enhanced unemployment system last month, and the last of the extra $300 per-week checks are supposed to be cut on Friday.
The lawsuit says Indiana law requires the state to capture all available federal benefits and says by withdrawing from the program early, the governor is harming countless people in the state.
“By prematurely deciding t0 stop administering these federal benefits, Indiana has violated the clear mandates 0f Indiana’s unemployment statute—to secure all rights and benefits available for unemployed individuals,” said the complaint, filed Monday.
The governor’s office countered that the state has gone through legal means to opt out.
“The Department of Workforce Development worked with the U.S. Department of Labor to properly complete all required steps to end its participation in federally funded pandemic unemployment insurance programs this month,” said the governor’s office, in response to the suit. “DWD has timely notified impacted claimants about the state’s withdrawal from the federal programs and continues to connect impacted Hoosiers with the resources they need to gain skills and be matched with employment.”
25 comments
People don’t need more money. They need to get back to work. Quit being lazy and get off your ass.
Agree!!! There are all kinds of jobs available. Companies are almost begging for help.
It’s uninformed people like you Steve that just assume that’s why all people are not going back to work we all know that’s the case for some but others like me never been on unemployment in 20 years of steady work as a Union Painter I’ve been off since Oct,12th-2020 and would love to go back to work but material shortages and the inflammation of the price of material has put a halt to work and most of our work on the State and Gov jobs can’t restart cuz federal jobs are figured at a certain price and that is because it’s has to be budgeted for so there’s no extra it’s to the penny and needs rewritten to allow for the extra cost so we wait for them to be rewritten or cost comes down.Plus after taxes with the extra money is half of what I make working I worked through the worse of the pandemic but now there saying mid-Aug before we can resume work and after next week I would of been on the PPU unemployment program but now I guess McD’s is hiring is what our Governor says..The only problem is it’s summer kids are home.I’m staying with our children while my wife does all she can to get extra hours as a waitress. But pre Covid my wife raised our kids I provided and we did great now don’t know how this will work because there’s no jobs available that make sense with childcare for 3 our situation at the moment keeps us even at best stopping the federal aid will change nothing but hurt us that are struggling not by choice and eagerly awaiting a return to work and 21 years in my craft and out of work by something out of my control.There were more available jobs pre pandemic because there’s all ways 100,000 plus fast food and entry level jobs needing filled..Indiana unemployment is at 3.9% all so same as pre covid we have a follower for a Governor that lost my vote. And also most but not all but most of the 3.9% are deserving of the aid to just tread water and prey we make it till work returns. This has been the worst year of my life but all that said my kids know of none of our struggles and just think Moms taking her turn working and Dad is Mr.Mom oh and any vacation savings oh I mean what vacation or Savings’? I hear it’s all cuz of unemployment not even close there’s some I’m sure but they won’t be getting jobs they are lazy bums looking for a free ride and will be looking for the next meal ticket no a job and also the ones that mess it up for the ones in real need and I always prided myself on not living above my means but you can’t save and prepare for a year plus pandemic but Gov.Holcomb decides when we’re good cuz there’s tons of $10.hr jobs every where but wait nothing in his finances changed and he wouldn’t go work for less and loss everything he worked it’s hard to think my family will have to pay for something out of our control cuz I will sale what I own downsize to a appt and work at McD’s I’m not to proud but would be a shame and believe me after taxes $553.21 per week that’s with the extra 300 is not even a living wage it’s sad people believe that’s what’s stopping the most powerful Country WOW,WOW Take the aid from the ones that paid it in that never received aid before because our state can’t do the work to keep aid for those in certain situations just stop it all the easy way.
Yeah I agree that there are people who are legitimately unemployed. Especially ones in not very well positioned markets. But that doesn’t change the fact that this issue can be painted with a very broad brush. The vast majority of people taking advantage of this benefit are simply lazy. What would you have done if you had landed on hard times during any other given year? I’m sorry you are on hard times. But that additional $300 was supremely detrimental overall to the Indiana economy.
Amen, well put RJ ,
In 55 years of my life never have I drawn unemployment until last Oct,2020. I want to work but who can afford to pay for health insurance and live on 10 to 12 an hour?? Come on people we are not all low lifes and lazy .. Stop generalizing people. We do not all fall into the same category. Gov. Holcomb is not a leader he is a follower, and how could he even believe that stopping the 300 extra a week is going to help anyone ?? So are we to work for a mere 10.00 per hour and still get snap benefits and free healthcare assistance from the state ?? Because trust n believe a family of 1, 2 ,3 or 4 can’t live on 10.00 an hour. Wake up people stop being so blind to the reality of this.
He is absolutely an idiot for doing this to the people of Indiana.
What is progress?
Mp
Say that again, they think everyone is lazy and don’t want to work. These companies need to come up out their BANKS and pay us more 🤑.These politicians supposed to be for the American people, yeah right. The ones that is not for us need to be voted out ASAP.
Really I’m on pua cause I’m self employed I can’t get a regular job cause of my disability I’m not lazy I did have a regular job till I got injured now I make things to sell on esty that’s my job people who r on unemployment r not lazy
there are several low paying jobs that people apply for but get rejected by the company because of lack of experience or discrimination, there was a pandemic and it seriously effected people’s work, not everyone can bounce back quickly in the work force and the ones still depending on unemployment aren’t all lazy bums, too bad there’s narrow minded ignorant …. commenting on here, maybe karma will kick there ass in the street with nothing, no rent, no food, no child care and no work, not lazy just need a little more time to find work or get trained find childcare, the time congress originally voted on and passed, the calculated time it would take to save our economy that’s the law to protect the people.
I disagree. Times have always been hard. The extra unemployment was providing an extreme down pressure on people’s incentives to work. You’re right that simply painting everyone as lazy completely lacks nuance. And I’m sure that there several people simply scared or not secure right now. But the incentive needs to be possitively pressuring them to return to the workforce in whatever capacity they can manage.
Help Wanted signesare EVERYWHERE. There is no need for continuing enhanced unemployment. GET A JOB is the best form of compensation and is good for the soul too.
All low paying jobs that don’t even cover childcare for one kid what would be the point of working if you was just going to owe money at the end of the week let alone break even
Stop these benifits now .
It’s a fool who tosses money at a person and teaches them to set on their butts and relies on the government to take care of them. Everywhere I look I see help wanted signs .
After working in public housing for 20 years
I have seen generation after generation
Sit on their butts with the attitude why work the government will give me money every month .
Some people are applying for jobs but not following up when called .
The only requirement is to apply with no follow up .
If you’re offered a job you have to take it on unemployment unless it’s way below what you’re used to making also there are way more unemployed people than there are jobs if you look it’s all low paying jobs how are they supposed to pay for childcare or anything you can’t live on $7 an hour hell it’s hard to live on $20 an hour nowadays
Or you could be me! Never collected unemployment in my life . I am 50 years old auto immune disorder high risk for Covid . I also have a blood disorder causes blood clots so you don’t think I’m terrified get a vaccine with these health conditions . I didn’t ask for this or to be basically home for year n half other than what I have to do to survive. Losing this money will hurt my family . So yes there are cases where people aren’t lazy!! I can’t get vaccine til I know it’s safe for me. I would love to go back to work ! I hate sitting home . Can’t find work from home due to know experience in that I worked in a retail beauty store for last six years . So governor didn’t think about us people in this situation.
I’m so disgusted by people who say the people collecting unemployment are lazy and need to go back to work. It’s real easy to sit back and judge others, but, as you hear with some of these responses, most want to go back to work but can’t for various reasons. People with young kids, can’t make a $12/hr job make financial since when they have kids. All that would cover is the cost of daycare and nothing for other bills. Some are so far behind in their house payment and will end up losing their home bc $10-$12/hr job won’t be enough to cover what they owe. If you have ever been unemployed or just changing jobs, many times it takes more than 30 days to find a job. As one person said, just bc there are openings does not guarantee you will get hired. I have been turned away from a few companies bc I did not have retail exp or serving exp. I am a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and there are many companies hiring. But even before Covid there were so many people looking for jobs in my field and it took me 3-4 months to find a job. There are so many variables that are not being considered. Every person that you call lazy or other hurtful names, in not living in your situation. Just bc you may be working does not give you the right to judge people. I have been working since I was 14 yo. I am 51 now. I pay taxes and contribute to these programs that are there to help people. We all knew that unemployment was not a long term solution but it has been helping people put food on the table and pay their other bills. Meaning, most of us have been looking for work for a while. But to be told that we have until Sept 2021, but all of a sudden with a 30 day notice, and thousands of people looking for jobs, stopping this program early has and will put many in a really bad state of mind and situation! Quit judging people when you don’t have a clue what they/we are dealing with in our lives. Lastly, we all know, regardless of what program, YES there are always some taking advantage of the program and that will not stop! But these programs that were created to help people have been life savers! Don’t throw all people in the same box when you have no info to back it up!
I have to say Thank You, to you and the other none judgmental people in these comments. For all of those who blindly point the finger and make senseless assumptions, I pray that you get a chance to step in the shoes of those whom you judge. Some people are going through unimaginable things right now. I know men who have lost wives and are now single father’s with small children and no support systems and can’t continue to afford childcare because they’ve gone thru their life savings. I know women who can’t work because of disabled children and they lost they’re caretakers that were family members; couldn’t afford to pay for child care to begin with but at least had family support and made enough to provide without the system. I even know young adults in their early 20’s who had to drop out of college and are now fulltime parents to small siblings because of the loss of a parent. Now you mean to tell me that these people can just get a job? I even know some that have had mental break downs and others previously well rounded individuals who now from depression and so on. So now I ask which one of these judgemental citizens making these negative comments are going to be good humanitarians, stop being LAZZY and help those people who are in situations like I described? I’ll wait for volunteers.
I agree I used to have a job before the pandemic then I had to quit cause I was injured and I started to make things on esty I’m on pua cause I’m self employed I can’t get a regular job I hate being called lazy people who r on unemployment r not lazy we r in a pandemic jobs lay people off don’t hire people we need these benefits it’s illigal for him to stop them I’m glad the judge stopped him
Yeah why not work for minimum wage after being employed at 30$ an hour. Easier said than done especially when providing for a family. The government has picked our pockets since the begining. No shame in getting a small portion of that stolen money back until adequate pay is found and obtained.
Maybe Steve and Jim would be willing to give up their jobs to the unemployed and switch places. There’s plenty of jobs out there they could get.
People do need jobs I do agree But where are the jobs that pay what unemployment benefits give out. The Governor’s concerns should be to boost up the economy by raising up minimum wages 15.00 a hour to start with. Many of Indianapolis small business has down sized or closed many Indianapolis companies are cutting back they don’t want to pay insurance to their employees for 2 and then waiting almost 2 weeks later to feed your family what starve until then. Indianapolis welfare system is crap they denied your case right off hoping that some magic company will hire you before the food stamps begin. Then you wonder why all the robberies come from. 3. Most blacks don’t get jobs in the Hoosier state unless it’s Mc. Donald’s. Governor Holcomb has a fine job making more than minimum wages. So where is this coming from it does not cost Indiana a dam dime to send those benefits out to the people who needs them. Go ahead try Krogers they will hire part time but yes try paying 895 rent with that. This state is asking for robberies, murder rates to shoot up and a race war. So Holcomb does not care enough people didn’t died during the planedemic so let’s get the violence going by taking money from them and their kids. You should be ashamed of yourself Holcomb. You will never get my vote again. This is a war against human life, rights and freedom. Hey Holcomb enjoy your dinner tonight after taxes but the rest of us can’t.
The looking for work signs are for fast food places that will not pay the bills. I have put in 15 applications and checked on them all. Have not heard a word. It’s not all lazy people like you all want to preach. It’s not like people can go on vacation or even save anything for the future it’s keeping me from being homeless. Get off your high horse people need help.
These ridiculous comments from people who haven’t suffered through this last year is so disheartening. What happened to community and helping out your neighbors?!? We are all Hoosiers first and foremost!
Lord have mercy 🤦♀️ heres the thing, yes people need to go back to work HOWEVER the way that pretty much the whole state of indiana is forcing people to get vaccinated is ridiculous. Taking away unemployment for those who do not want a vaccine in their body that was literally thrown at people because of the state of emergency is also ridiculous. Holcomb claims to be a christian and while I’m not condemning him for his religion I just assumed he out of all other state governor’s would understand that in a religious and non-religious aspect not everyone wants to inject themselves due to the fear thats been implanted in our brains. Being forced to get a vaccine that is not FDA approved is in my opinion unlawful and inhumane. So to sum this up; if you can go back to work, do it. If you can’t, then don’t take unemployment away from others who really DO need it. Instead just make stronger restrictions on unemployment. But what do I know right. Ha
I don’t believe most of the negative comments are coming from real people. I think they’re coming from people who work for the state. Literally every job I’ve ever had in Indiana NO LONGER EXISTS!!! I guess that’s what I should expect the meth capital of the united states. Indiana is a joke. The underlying issues will not be addressed. None of the jobs available pay a living wage. Inflation continues to go up, but wages do not. Governor Holcomb can suck a bag of dicks!! I hope karma teaches him a lesson. I wouldn’t piss on him if he was on fire!! When I get a job, it sure as fuck won’t be in indiana. Michigan is better in every respect. Lets talk about the trillions of dollars of bailout money that’s been doled out…
I think that it’s nobody’s business period where the money comes from if the federal government wants to help its people then so be it you have no clue what some people have to pay out in bills so why would we take a job paying us less money than what we need to survive when the money is being given to help until we can find the work that best suits our current needs of paying our bills the biggest problem is people sticking there nose in others business and as I seen a comment earlier I thought about it do you think that any of these rich politicians give a damn about us there pockets aren’t hurt from this pandemic so they could give two shits about me and my family while they sleep at night in there big ass houses that they can afford because we the people put them in office but they can so quickly say fuck the same very people who put them there and take away money we need !!!!! WAKE UP AMERICA