© 2026 Michigan State University Board of Trustees
Public Media from Michigan State University
Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

Optimism in the face of lost jobless benefits

Kevin Lavery/WKAR

The holidays can be a stressful time in and of themselves, but some  Michigan residents are bracing for more difficulty.  About 45,000 people in the state who are currently receiving unemployment insurance through a federal extension program will lose that benefit by the end of the month.That’s because Republicans in the U-S House opted not to extend the program in the latest budget package passed this week.

Current State’s Kevin Lavery spoke with Daphne Whitfield, who’s losing that funding this month. 

Related Content
WKAR has closed the gap left by the loss of federal funding. Because of you, trusted journalism, inspiring stories, and classical music remain freely available to everyone in mid-Michigan.
Now the work continues — your monthly gift helps maintain this success and keeps public media free for all.