Tougher times are ahead for thousands of people on unemployment in North Carolina.
When state leaders voted to cut unemployment benefits earlier this year, they also triggered another impact. Cuts in the number of weeks someone can collect unemployment benefits and reductions in the maximum weekly amounts paid make North Carolina ineligible to receive extended unemployment benefits from the federal government.
That means anyone who has been receiving federal extended unemployment benefits will lose those benefits beginning July 1.
"It's very scary," said Connie Black, a legal assistant who lost her job after years with one of Charlotte's big banks. "There are a lot of people out there trying to feed their families. A lot of people like myself who are hardworking people and diligently looking for work."
The state has said it needs to trim benefits in order repay billions of dollars it borrowed from the federal government for extended benefits during the height of the recession.
The impact of the state and federal cuts will hit hard. In Mecklenburg County, the state estimates roughly 7,200 people will see their federal benefits end next month.
The fallout from that could be far-reaching. At Loaves and Fishes, which operates food pantries for the needy across Charlotte, Executive Director Beverly Howard expects increased demand.
"I don't think a lot of people it's going to impact really know what's coming," Howard said. "We know the demand for our service will go up. We'll see it in two to three weeks when the phone bills, utility bills and the rent all come due."
WSOC
