Unemployment benefits running out for some Grand Strand residents

Millions of Americans are currently on unemployment and according to the labor department 65% of all those collecting unemployment will have their benefits run out by the end of August.

For Anita Noe the expiration date on her unemployment benefits came Monday. Noe lost her job as a dental assistant in January and has since been surviving financially though her 26 weeks of unemployment benefits claim. Those benefits however ran out and she was back to the Myrtle Beach Workforce Center on Tuesday. 

“After all these weeks trying to find a job in a professional position I find it very difficult in Myrtle Beach so I’m having to file for an extension,“ said Noe.

Noe said that she has tried applying for fast food restaurant jobs and even housekeeping but even those haven’t worked out.

She said if she doesn’t get a position as a dental assistant at the beach, then she plans to look for a job out of the state in the next few months.

Employees with the Employment Security Commission said that not everyone who is in the same position as Noe can qualify to receive a claim extension.

They say South Carolina will allow up 72 weeks of unemployment benefits but those applying need to meet certain requirements such as showing proof that they have been actively looking for a job.

“A qualified person who files a claim, they are eligible for 26 weeks,” explained area director Doris Buffkin, “the first extension can get them up to 20 weeks the second tier of that extension can get them up to 13 weeks and then the extended benefits is up to 13 weeks.”

Buffkin also said that the best way to know if a person is able to re-apply for a benefits claim or an extension is to physically go to their local employment office instead of applying on-line.

After two hours in the employment office Noe got a 12 week unemployment benefits extension Tuesday. After those 12 weeks, 7 more weeks will roll in and then she will re-apply for a second extension of 12 weeks. Once that runs out she would have exhausted all of her extensions.

The employment office says they aren’t sure what will happen to people like Noe who will eventually end up exhausting their extension because there are talks of another possible extension but nothing has been made official.