Advocates say Indiana's unemployment benefits aren't enough to meet basic needs

Hoosiers who are unemployed can receive no more than $390 a week for up to six months through Indiana's unemployment insurance program. The Indiana Community Action Poverty Institute believes the program's length and weekly benefit cap should increase to help people meet their basic needs while searching for a job.

Institute Director Erin Macey said Indiana's unemployment benefits are not enough to cover basic costs of living — like rent and car payments. She said everyone can benefit when someone going through unemployment is supported.

"If they are not supported, that's a mortgage that's not getting paid, that's a car that's getting repossessed, that's an employer that's making a job offer to someone, and they don't have a way to get there, so they're turning them down," Macey said.

She also said things like child care should be factored into how much someone receives from the state's unemployment program.

"It might be prudent to consider, having some differentiation for someone who's supporting a family, because they might need to continue paying for child care again if they want to get back into the workforce quickly," Macey said.

READ MORE: Lawmakers propose solution to help address Indiana's skilled worker shortage
 

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Lawmakers introduced a bill this year that would have allowed unemployment benefit recipients to go through a training program. The program would have also added extra money to their weekly benefits — but it never passed.

Timoria is our labor and employment reporter. Contact her at tcunningham@wfyi.org.