For the past year I have been on and off of unemployment benefits. During this time I have kept a one-night-a-week job(the wages are deducted from my UI check), and I have been fortunate enough to get some temp contracts over the past year(during which I don't receive a UIcheck), which have provided me not only with much needed income, but also a sense of self-worth. This has been very difficult, as I have normally had three or more jobs, my entire life. I was a dishwasher at 14 and worked my way up to janitor the following year. Being on UI has been horrible and pretty much every dime I get goes towards keeping my house out of foreclosure and keeping the utilities on. That being said, it's been a lifesaver and I am obviously grateful that the system exists.
That's the thing, it's not only that you're facing economic insecurity, but there are constant reminders of the fact that you're not fully contributing to a productive society.
Every day, besides the obvious reminder of not having anywhere to go, there are a plethora of other reminders that my fellow un/underemployed Americans face. I'm not gonna talk in broad generalities. I am gonna try and give concrete examples from my own life.
1. Transportation
So, when I do go to my night shift, or leave the house for other chores, I get into my car. Like many folks on this site, I live in a city with atrocious public transportation, and owning a car has been a necessity in my previous work life. It continues to be so, since the buses stop running before my night shift ends, and I'd spend the entireity of my wages earned, if I were to take a cab home.
So, my car:
I have no front driver's side window. Someone attempted to steal my car a while back, and I haven't had the money to replace the glass. I actually use an old campaign yard sign as a barrier to rain and snow, just to keep the seat a little less wet. It's been below freezing here for a while now, and I can tell you that driving with sleet coming in the window in single digit weather is a pretty good reminder that you're screwed. That's not all, though.
I need a new car, as mine won't pass inspections, but without a job, no one will give you a loan. I don't blame them, that's just basic business practices. The major downside of this is that my tags are expired, and so I get pulled over and issued tickets on a regular basis. The cops always feel bad for me, but, with the city budget in the toilet, the phrase "I'll let you off with a warning" doesn't get used much anymore. They need the revenue to keep their jobs. I understand this. Unfortunately for me, and I'm sure many others, this serves as a special poor person tax. Don't have enough money to get a car that's legal and is weather-proof, that's gonna cost ya.
2. Clothes
I'm not that concerned about fashion, but having nice clothes is necessary for interviewing. As the year has dragged on, much of my wardrobe have degraded to the point that they no longer deserve to be called "business attire". This means that you go to the thrift store, buy another pair of slacks and hope the pockets/seams don't wear out too fast, like the last pair did. You can get away with looking shabby when you're hanging out at the bar, but not sitting across the desk with your prospective new employer, hoping he didn't notice that your back pocket is getting a hole in it.
3. Social Life
So, you can pretty much just scratch most of it off the list of things you have. Going out costs money, it's that simple. Bars, coffee shops, movies, restaurants... these things cost money, and when you're barely scraping by, they don't make the cut. Luckily my night shift is at a restaurant/bar, so I get an employee discount there, which allows me to go out and not totally blow my budget. Also, friends will buy you a drink, out of pity. I said no, for a while, but pride is something I left behind about six months ago.
Dating? You've gotta be kidding me. See above point about socializing costing money. When I was still in my early twenties, women were more understanding about being down on your luck, but in your thirties, not so much. This isn't to say that women are mean or only focused on cash, but at my age, most women want to build a family and a future, and for that to happen financial stability is a must. I don't blame them, I want the same thing.
Why not entertain at home, to save cash? Well as all your money goes to pay the mortgage, as things break, around the house, they have a tendency to not get fixed. Also, when you keep the house cold, because you can't afford the utility bills, folks don't really want to hang around. It's ok for me to wear three layers inside, but I don't expect my friends to put up with this. Besides it goes right back to the embarrassing thing, and you don't need any more reminders.
I could go on listing the myriad moments of crap, but I want to talk about the newest one in my life.
I am one of the hostages.
My UI benefits are about to run out, unless the congress passes the piece of shit "compromise" that will do little more than increase our nation's dismal long-term fiscal picture and will imperil Social Security for everyone.
If you're employed, please take a second and imagine if day after day, the news, blogs, etc constantly talked about how the only way to help you, was to do massive amounts of damage to our economy and future. You have to listen to these bastards talk about how the only way to help you is to screw you, long term, and you know it's a lie. It is an utter fabrication. Tax breaks for the rich and a UI extension should have nothing to do with each other, and haven't, in the past, but every day you hear about how you're responsible for this totally crap policy decision. It's your fault.
No one should have to shoulder that. No one.
I know it's not really my fault, but this is where we are. We live in a society that blames the have-nots for everything, while the rich make out like bandits.
UPDATE: Just saw that this somehow went to the top of the rec list. Thank you so much.