Since the 2008 height of the recession, out-of-work Americans have been eligible to receive federal unemployment funds after their state benefits run out (typically at 26 weeks). However, the bipartisan budget deal Congress managed to pass earlier this month allowed that program to expire, which means 1.3 million people (including 127,000 New Yorkers) are getting cut off this weekend. President Obama and some members of the Senate plan to push for the creation of a new extension in 2014, but that is likely cold comfort to the people who rely on federal assistance to get through each week. Read some of their stories here.
