Millions Of Americans Facing Debt Due To Expiration Of Unemployment Assistance

In 2010, nearly four million Americans ran out of unemployment benefits, according to a new report by the National Employment Law Project.

Despite recent decreases in the national unemployment rate, many consumers are struggling financially due to the expiration of these benefits. The federal government currently provides up to 73 weeks of federal aid for unemployed citizens in some of the most affected states.

This is more than twice the term for the average unemployment, which is 36.9 weeks, The Huffington Post reports. However, to make matters worse, recent surveys have found that many employers are now using financial data to weed out potential applicants.

"These numbers demonstrate the grave nature of the long-term unemployment crisis and should lead all lawmakers to realize that it is imperative to put partisan fights aside and concentrate on job-creation efforts that are targeted to the longest of the long-term unemployed," NELP lobbyist Judy Conti told the Post.

Recent research suggests many of these unemployed Americans use their credit cards to make basic monthly payments. As a result, they now face the potential for significant debt and credit damage, which in turn could decrease their chances of landing a job.