Not enough help for the unemployed

[undeterred]

So my low paying short term no benefits temp job ended last week (it was 3 months). Before that I was unemployed for 8.5 months. I had no idea what I would be qualified for after this, but everyone keeps saying there are something like 96 weeks of unemployment compensation counting all the extensions.

Well, my benefit year ends in 2 weeks. I can get unemployment compensation after that, but the rate will be based on my low paying temp job, and is $55/week less than what I received for the first 8.5 months. My housing cost will now be 2/3 of my income. I would have been better off financially not taking the temp job and continuing at a higher rate of unemployment compensation.

:shrug:

I need a real job and benefits soon. I see the low paying entry level jobs opening up but that doesn't help me.