Credit Talk USA Live - Over 434 billion paid in unemployment benefits

Jobless Americans have collected $434 billion in unemployment benefits over the past four years.
Taxpayers have footed $184.7 billion of the tab incurred during the federal government's unparalleled response to the Great Recession, according to Labor Department data. State and federal taxes on employers cover the rest.

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The cost of continuing this safety net will be the subject of intense debate in Congress in coming weeks as lawmakers decide whether to extend the deadline to file for federal benefits beyond year's end. Keeping this lifeline in place through 2012 would cost $44 billion.
Here's how the system works: The jobless collect up to 26 weeks of state benefits before shifting to the federal program. Federal benefits consist of up to 53 weeks of emergency compensation, which is divided into four tiers, and up to another 20 weeks of extended benefits.
Those who reach the end of their state benefits or federal tier will not be able to apply for additional benefits unless the deadline to file is extended.

http://money.cnn.com/2011/12/05/news/economy/unemployment_benefits_extension/index.htm?iid=Lead