1.4 Million Out of Work 99 Weeks or Longer

The Congressional Research Service says there are 1.4 million “very long term unemployed” who have been out of work 99 weeks or longer.

The Huffington Post reports that 99 weeks is a milestone because it is the limit for unemployment benefits. After that, the jobless aren’t eligible for much except food stamps and charity. And the job market for anyone out of work that long is downright hostile.

The CRS report says that very long term unemployment is more likely to afflict older workers than younger ones. The report also says that the long term unemployed—as opposed to the very long term unemployed just mentioned—are people who have been out of work for six months. As of December 6.4 million people have been out of work for six months are longer.