PHOENIX -- There appears to be some relief for millions of people running out of unemployment benefits, after President Obama signed a 20-week extension.
"It's very depressing when you know you're qualified to do a job, and there are none available," said Cookie Gill, one of almost 150,000 Arizonans who is out of work.
The national unemployment rate has sky-rocketed to 10.2 percent, the highest since 1983. October marked the 22nd month in a row in which employers cut jobs. The hardest hit sectors are manufacturing, retail and construction.
"That is very disheartening, but you don't give up, you keep applying," Gill said. "That is part of the prerequisite for applying for unemployment. So I'm constantly sending resumes, I'm constantly online."
Gill was on her last unemployment claim when she got the news that she'll be eligible for another 20 weeks.
"I'm confident that our economy will recover," President Obama said, after signing the bill. "I'm confident that we're moving in the right direction, and I promise that I won't rest until America prospers once again."
Critics say it's time for the government to stop spending money it doesn't have.
"If you're on this side of the fence, then you know exactly how it feels, so be careful what you say, because it might be you, next week, next month, next year," Gill said.
Until recently, Gill, and hundreds of thousands of others like her, were having a difficult time filing their claims.
In August, officials from the Department of Economic Security promised to make changes, and on Friday they said they have added staff and made phone access easier, as well as upgrading their
website.
Gill said she noticed the change, and is grateful.
"I was able to go and do my online claim," she said. "It went right through, and I was paid on Tuesday. Thank you Lord, I appreciate that."
At a time when such a high number of people are filing unemployment claims, DES officials are warning of an online scam targeting the unemployed.
Victims in other states reported receiving an e-mail that told them their benefits had been revoked, and instructed them to call a number. When they called, they said an automated message prompted them to enter their debit card and pin information.
DES officials say that Arizona could be next, and are warning people not to give out any information in e-mails or by phone.
