For Some Long-Term Unemployed, Jobless Benefits May Soon End

As millions of Americans can attest, job loss can be devastating -- especially if it lingers on and on. Three years ago, amid recession, Congress sought to lessen the pain by extending the period that the long-term unemployed could claim benefits to well beyond a year.

Come January, however, that provision is set to expire, meaning that those who lose their jobs starting next month will likely be eligible only for the standard 26 weeks of unemployment benefits.