Assistance Via Stimulus

The stimulus package recently passed by President Obama was one meant to bolster the economy from the ground up. Both businesses and individuals were meant to benefit from it. However, some of the money from that stimulus package has been hard to find. Additionally, people working at non-profit organizations may not be getting the share of money that is rightfully guaranteed to them. In most cases, these workers were unable to quality for unemployment compensation and continue to struggle on a day to day basis. Nevertheless, money from the stimulus plan can be found for those in such circumstances. Although there is no clear nationwide benefit for such workers, many individual states are offering monetary compensation for the diligence of their workers.

One of the first states that look to aid its unemployed is Massachusetts. Massachusetts recently garnered about $54.2 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to go along with the $900 million the state had already been provided. With this, unemployment benefits can be received by the majority of people for up to 72 weeks. In addition to this, Massachusetts has received funds for job training to help get people back to work. This money totals an additional $67 million. Those who are unemployed can also expect a $25 increase in their unemployment checks each week. Unemployment is also being extended to more people so that they can reap such benefits. This and much more is being given to the people of Massachusetts with the hope that they can once again prosper.

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (aka ARRA) is also helping those living in New Hampshire get back on track. Although distribution of funds is not as specific, the state has received at $789.5 billion which has been split up into several categories, including tax relief, health care, and state and local fiscal relief. The New Hampshire Office of Economic Recovery has been made to ensure that all of this goes as planned. A key role of the office is to track the amount of money being sent to businesses and non-profit organizations. This ensures that such non-profit organizations get the funds that they need, which would trickle down to its workers. Particularly, the office looks to expand health care while lowering the cost, and will also help workers hurt by the economy, among other things. The NH Office of Economic Recovery is headed by Deputy Attorney General Orville Fitch.

A third state looking to reach out to its non-profit workers is Vermont. Vermont will be receiving stimulus funds both at a statewide and local government level. In the case of money being given to the State of Vermont, it will then be given to public, private, and non-profit organizations. Although each of these organizations will have to compete for certain dividends, each is guaranteed funds. This money is not given out directly to individuals, but rather sent through local agencies to them because of certain laws. The exact amount of funds that will be given out is not yet fully known and cannot be tracked, but it is estimated that after 2 years, 75% of the money given to Vermont from the stimulus plan will have been spent.

Finally, of all the states in the Union, Connecticut is undoubtedly one of the more prominent states when it comes to ARRA funds. The state will graciously received about $3 billion in federal stimulus funding. In addition to this, approximately 40,000 jobs are expected to be created in the near future in Connecticut. However, once again, public, private, and non-profit organizations will have to compete for some of the funds. Although money is available to all cities and all of these organizations, very rich bonuses that cannot be given to everyone are being offered.

As it can be seen, finding money in this economic stimulus plan may at times be difficult, but is very possible. While working for a non-profit organization and unsuccessfully seeking unemployment compensation may close several doors, it all opens several others. The government is pouring money into all 50 states from the ground up with the hopes that the economy will turn around and people can get back to work. Because of this, it is important to stay positive during these tough times, and keep pushing forward to find the light at the end of the tunnel.