More than two millon jobless workers stand to lose their unemployment insurance benefits this holiday season -- unless Congress renews the two related programs that extend them. Millions more will lose their benefits as the months go by.

As of October, jobless workers who were actively looking for work had been seeking it for an average of nearly 40 weeks -- far longer than the average covered by regular state UI programs. There are five of these workers for every job available.

Up to now, expanded UI benefits have helped jobless workers and their families keep a roof over their heads and food on the table. They have also provided a big "bang for the buck" stimulus for local economies. This will all end unless Congress acts within the first 15 days it's back in session.

Most economists don't expect the unemployment rate to return to anything like normal until 2015, perhaps longer. So Congress should extend the extra weeks of unemployment benefits through at least the next calendar year.

Urge your members of Congress to extend the federal unemployment insurance programs now!

Photo credit: Gastonmag