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Quemado

(1,262 posts)
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 06:58 PM Jan 2019

GoFundMe for government workers impacted by the shutdown: What's your opinion?

https://www.gofundme.com/cause/shutdown

I think it's a good idea. My wife thinks that it benefits Trump indirectly in that he can keep the shutdown going, knowing that government workers impacted by the shutdown can get aid from non-profits.

What do you think?

13 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Autumn

(44,762 posts)
1. I agree with your wife. They should qualify for unemployment, it will have to be paid back
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 07:00 PM
Jan 2019

but that might get them through some of it.

JustABozoOnThisBus

(23,283 posts)
6. Unemployment may depend on state rules.
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 07:30 PM
Jan 2019

I think in Michigan, for example, if you're working (though with deferred pay), you're not available to interview or be hired by an employer. So, you're not eligible for unemployment.

The furloughed workers may be eligible, since they are not working.

catrose

(5,048 posts)
5. California is bucking the system (and Trump)
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 07:18 PM
Jan 2019

but I've read that if they're working, even without pay, they can't get unemployment. California says they will provide unemployment benefits for those essential workers anyway. However, it can take 3 weeks to get your first check, and the maximum amount could be as little as 1/4 of your salary, which isn't going to pay for your rent, bills, and groceries.

bearsfootball516

(6,369 posts)
3. Aren't there something like 800K people furloughed right now?
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 07:09 PM
Jan 2019

Even if the gofundme raised 10 million, that’s barely $10 for each.

Quemado

(1,262 posts)
4. It's my understanding that in most cases unemployment compensation does not
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 07:10 PM
Jan 2019

come close to the income that was earned by the employee.

Recursion

(56,582 posts)
7. Well, speaking as the husband of an employee working for free, anything would be nice
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 07:32 PM
Jan 2019

We're incredibly fortunate that I work full time also, but even when you're doing well having your income cut unexpectedly by 50% or so takes a lot of juggling.

(And I want to clarify "unexpectedly": we knew coming into Christmas that there was the possibility of a shutdown, so we had two gifts selections we were going to get each other depending on what happened. On the 19th the news was all saying Congress had passed the bills and Trump would sign them, so we went with the assumption that we would both be getting paid. Oops. Again: we are incredibly lucky and this isn't a sob story; I just mean to point out that unlike some previous shutdowns this one really came out of nowhere.)

9. Funds raised are for the non-profits which are providing goods and services...
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 07:37 PM
Jan 2019

for the federal workers, like the food kitchen set up by a chef, Jose Andres; and a service providing diapers for workers' young kids, and so on. The funds are not attempting to provide income to individual workers.

 

jodymarie aimee

(3,975 posts)
11. brings home to me how many of us know
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 08:10 PM
Jan 2019

ZERO about how poor people live...EVERY DAY...unemployment is half of regular salary. And you can't just GET FoodStamps...you need a social worker and mucho documentation...3 months of bank statements, 3 months of pay stubs....ALL assets cannot be over $2,000....that includes home and automobile, stocks, etc...they will even ask you how much $$ you have in your wallet/purse...in the in person interview...and here in WI a single adult gets 49cents a day...

 

shanny

(6,709 posts)
13. F@ck any consideration about rump, imo
Mon Jan 21, 2019, 08:35 PM
Jan 2019

help the people

it won't embarrass him, but it could embarrass "some" of his supporters and a f@ck-load of congresscritters and senators

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