Central Oregon Unemployed Losing Benefits

Extended unemployment benefits for 8,000 Oregonians expired last week.

The federal government has decided that the program can’t be extended any longer, based on the latest jobless rate.

While the unemployment rate is still high, it has been going down slightly. In fact, it’s gone down enough that it’s surpassed the rate needed for the program to continue.

It’s good news for those finding jobs, but bad news for those who rely on the benefits to survive.

In the words of an employment counselor, it’s going to make things more difficult for the unemployed here.

Bend resident Michael Seeley’s jobless benefits expired two weeks ago. And while he looks for a stable job, he’s using his skills for fabricating to start his own business.

“I am just part of the other 8,000 Oregonians that are scrambling to get by and make ends meet,” Seeley said Monday.

Seeley used to work at Cessna, a plane manufacturing plant in Bend, but when his job went to another country, he was put on unemployment.

And then two weeks ago, he got the letter.

“When I got the letter saying that … you will receive no more benefits, it was a little scary,” Seeley said.

The unemployed already face a difficult time finding a job.

“They have the challenge of all the other people in the job market looking for work, not very many positions out there to apply for, really — it’s not going to be easy,” said Emily Wegener, a state employment counselor and workshop instructor.

For thousands who relied on the states extended benefits program, it just got a lot tougher.

Their last checks have been printed.

That means 449 people in Deschutes County, 64 in Crook County and 39 people in Jefferson County wont get any more help (according to March estimates).

For Seeley not having the benefits means he’s doing anything he can, even odd jobs here and there — but it’s not enough.

“I’ve been getting by. But a week from now, I don’t know,” Seeley said.

He’s also using his skills of fabricating to try to start his own business.

“I would like to put them to good use and use them to make a living for myself,” Seeley said.

Asked if he has any advice for those in the same situation, Seeley says this: “Keep looking for a job — the hardest job you’ll ever do is look for a job, and just keep looking.”

“We are all in the same boat,” he said. “I hope the best for myself, and them.”

“It’s definitely crunch time — if you don’t find something, the situation is going to get worse and worse, if you don’t find something,” said Emily Wegener, who works at WorkSource Oregon in Madras

Wegener helps counsel unemployed people, and teaches a lot of workshops. She says job seekers are re-thinking their job search.

“They really don’t have a lot of options,” she said. “Once you have no income, where do you go from there?”

Wegener says there are several options, including using WorkSource Oregon to help with resumes and cover letters or applying for college.

“Education is one of the number one things you can do for yourself and your family in the future to help prevent you form layoffs and losing your job,” Wegener said.

While Wegener says it’s going to be even more difficult, she’s there to help.

“Checking out your WorkSource office, we’ve helped a lot of people get jobs, and that’s what we are here for, so we can definitely make it a little less difficult,” Wegener said.

WorkSource Oregon offices can be found all over Central Oregon, including Madras, Prineville, Redmond, Bend and La Pine.

To see more of Seeley’s fabrication work, you can log onto his website at http://www.superiordesignmetalworks.com