Unemployment benefits to go down if spending cuts happen

NORTHAMPTON, Mass. (WWLP) - Across-the-board automatic spending cuts are scheduled to kick in this Friday; cuts that will hurt the unemployed.

The consequences state by state may vary but the bottom line is the same; many will have to do more with less. The White House says that in Massachusetts, more than 26,000 people will not get the skills and help they need to find employment.  Federal jobless benefits will also take a hit. If you receive unemployment, you’re expected to see an estimated $30 less in your check.

State labor officials say more than 234,000 people were out of a job in Massachusetts last December, not including those who have given up and stopped searching.

“Unemployment, to begin with, is about 60, 65% of your regular check and that can be a real burden. As tough as things are, any reduction in that can really be a hard hit,” Bill Ponusky of Northampton said.

Andrew Jenkins of Northampton told 22News that he thinks the government should be focusing more on helping struggling Americans.

“To be putting so much energy overseas and different places, it'd be nice to see a strong push towards helping regular people,” Jenkins said.

The White House says that Massachusetts will also lose an estimated $13.9 million in funding for primary and secondary education; cuts that could put 190 teacher and aide jobs at risk.