Jobless could lose benefits after Christmas

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - Thousands of people who are out of work in Western Massachusetts received letters this week letting them know their unemployment benefits will run out just after Christmas.

At least 45 thousand Massachusetts residents are set to lose their benefits December 29th.

Wanda Coleman is preparing to be one of them.

Coleman said, “It's not for long like I said I come here and I do my little job search and do whatever I need to do to keep going. It's hard, very hard, especially because I didn't finish school it's very very hard."

The 46-year-old mother is competing with other younger workers looking for the same jobs and also struggling.

Veronnica Gonzalez told 22News, “The housekeeping and kitchen work jobs are still hard to find because everyone does it.”

Congress has extended long term unemployment benefits several times in the past, but with drastic cuts needed to avoid the fiscal cliff, it might be a tougher sell this time around.

Without the federal programs, residents qualify for only up to 30 weeks of benefits.