Extensions aside, unemployment runs out

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - Kevin Heine reports in every day with the dedication of man 25 years on the job. The only thing is, he doesn't have a job. He shows up everyday at a Michigan Works! office.

He's been searching for a job and punching out resumes since January. Heine is one of 450,000 people in Michigan who are receiving unemployment benefits. Like many, he's needed an extension to get by.

"It gets really frustrating at times," he told 24 Hour News 8. "I can't do much more than get by month-to-month right now, but I can get by month-to-month right now."

But for many, their 79 weeks of benefits either have, or will soon, run out.

According to the Unemployment Insurance Agency, more than 2500 people in the state will exhaust their benefits next month.

Then in September, a huge jump -- more than 18,000 people lose unemployment, and in October, another 18,000, and in November, yet another 18,000.

Then in December, a whopping 22,000 people max out.

The numbers show that from May to December, a total of 99,000 people will have exhausted their unemployment benefits. Said another way, 22% of people currently getting unemployment benefits will lose them by January.

Heine said it's disheartening, but it has made him more diligent. Finding a job right now is his job. As a military veteran, he receives some assistance, but hopes to not be jobless long enough to max out.

"It's intended to be temporary help while you do what you have to do to get your feet back underneath you," he said, "and that's how I'm using it."