PLEASE SHARE THIS PETITION - FACEBOOK, TWITTER, AND OTHER SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS. All PUA benefits have ended. The case is filed and we are awaiting the outcome.

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This group provides helpful information and links for resources like rental assistance, discounted internet, etc. 

AZ GOVERNOR DOUG DUCEY made the decision to cut federal unemployment benefit compensation (FPUC) to Arizona. Now, Arizona citizens affected by COVID-19 who are currently collecting unemployment will receive substantially less per week in unemployment. With federal and state funding, the lowest amount was $371.00 per week. Barely enough to survive on.

With the cut in federal funding, the lowest amount will be $117.00. This is the amount without state and federal taxes. It is only $104.00 per week with taxes. This equals to $416.00 a month. This is TRULY an unlivable amount. Additionally, many of us who paid taxes through unemployment have not even received our federal tax returns yet. 

Federal Unemployment Compensation already dropped from $600 per week to $300 per week at the beginning of 2021. Struggling unemployed citizens who were impacted by the pandemic were frightened and outraged. Biden's American Rescue Plan increased it from $300 to $400 through September 2021. This still did not account for the additional needed $200 per week, but it did help. Now, Governor Ducey's decision to stop FPUC has put Arizona citizens in jeopardy once again. This is federal financial aid for unemployed citizens of the United States impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The federal government has agreed to pay this amount for all unemployed citizens impacted by it.

Governor Ducey did not give citizens time to prepare for the cut either. Many people who are already facing eviction, scarcity of resources and mental health crisis for the past 2 years. There were lapse in payments and mismanagement of funding for thousands of people receiving benefits during this entire pandemic. There was an entire 2 weeks, on more than one occasion, where I did not receive ANY unemployment benefits. After calling multiple times, the PUA said it was a "glitch in the system." 

PUA sent out an email to those collecting unemployment on the Friday, June 25th 2021 stating that changes were going to be made to unemployment and Governor Ducey made the decision to stop Federal Unemployment Benefit Compensation (FPUC) on July 10th, 2021. This has given us less than 1 month (16 DAYS) to scramble to find a well-paying job (although we have been looking for employment since the loss of our jobs to the pandemic) without knowing our benefits would be stopped now that more businesses are opening back up and supposedly actively hiring again. The vaccine was just released to the public a few months ago. This is not enough time, especially when we have been applying for jobs since 2019. 

Governor Ducey created the "Back to Work" program as a way to justify his cut in federal funding. It claims to offer free services to help unemployed citizens to find jobs. The federal government made the decision to continue funding until the end of year. But Governor Ducey, along with several other states, made the decision to cut the FPUC completely.

The job services offered in the "Back to Work" program, including the job events, do not even specify locations. EXAMPLE: The health job services event on July 16th, 2021 was primarily for Phoenix jobs. This event was in an email sent out to all citizens of Arizona whom are receiving unemployment benefits. There were only 3 events for the week, I was not qualified for the other 2 events, (they were for specific professions). I went to sign up for the health services event upon which I discovered it was primarily for Phoenix jobs / positions. I am based in Tucson. How does this event help me? If the jobs are NOT remote, how are we supposed to relocate in general, but especially without enough money to pay our basic expenses to begin with? 

As another misguided attempt to pacify citizens, he is offering a $2000 RETURN TO WORK "BONUS" to those who are on unemployment and become hired before September 6th, 2021. This means he is actually giving more money as a supposed incentive to those who get hired. This is nonsensical because those who are unable to get hired before 09/06/21 are the people who will be the ones in even greater need of that money at that time. Even more troubling, this "incentive" may create a more challenging and competitive environment for those looking for jobs. This might even allow companies to offer lower wages and less benefits to those looking for employment. 

How do I know this? I have been applying to jobs since last year. OVER 100+ APPLICATIONS. All of which require me to have a secure wifi connection, computer, phone, the ability to search through job listings and send out dozens of cover letters and resumes. All of which cost money.

I am college educated with a 4 year degree with over 10 years experience in my field. And yet, I have only received 2 call backs and 1 interview. I was not hired for any position I applied for or interviewed for. I am qualified for every position I have applied to. And it is not just me who is not being hired.

I know other Arizona citizens looking for employment who have not received interviews and some who have received interviews, but neither of them have been hired. Some positions are requiring 3 to 4 interviews for the same company and not hiring qualified applicants. Other Arizona citizens have told me they were hired for a position but their start dates did not begin until almost 1 - 2 months after being hired. 

I was also informed directly from people who are already employed that in the past 2 months, they've received a reduction in hours due to the influx of new hires. From 40 hours per week to 32, sometimes even less. These positions are for more easily attainable jobs at conveniences stores and local franchises for minimum wages. Many people are and continue to apply for positions they are overqualified for. Therefore this decision to stop federal compensation and the back-to-work program is not only impacting those who are unemployed but also those who are currently employed. 

The economy, cost of living and job market is not repaired yet. We have not come out of the darkness of COVID-19. Although there are vaccines available and COVID cases are decreasing, it will take time for things to be repaired. The pandemic changed things greatly for many, many people. The pandemic changed the state, the country and the world. These changes aren't going to go back to the way it was overnight. It isn't justified to stop federal funding as an attempt to get the economy in Arizona back to where it was by creating more hardship for people who have suffered through this pandemic already. 

Please help sign this petition to advocate for the overturning of the decision to cut federal unemployment benefits to Arizona citizens.

Thank you for taking the time to support the cause.