Unemployment | Marketplace from American Public Media

States of unemployment

If you're unemployed, your eligibilty for an unemployment check and the size of that check depend on where you live. And that check could make the difference between living on a shoestring or going bust. Marketplace's Mitchell Hartman went to two of the hardest hit states, Oregon and South Carolina, to get the views of people dealing with unemployment in this Great Recession.

Audio Slideshow: South Carolina

South Carolina has the nation's third-highest unemployment rate at 11.5%. But its political and business leaders oppose making more people eligible for unemployment checks, saying it will create a "shadow welfare system." Hear the views of those dealing with unemployment in South Carolina.
Nathaniel Sullivan, 57
- Greenville, S.C.
- Textile worker
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Anthony Carbajal, 29
- Greenville, S.C.
- Welder
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Clorene Jones, 79
- Greenville, S.C.
- Textile worker
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Diedre Murphy, 47
- Blythewood, S.C.
- Software and telecom marketing manager
- Audio player goes here
Audio Slideshow: Oregon

Oregon's 12% unemployment rate is the second-highest in the nation. In areas dependent upon timber production the number of out-of-work residents is even higher. Hear the accounts of people dealing with unemployment in Oregon.
Michael Dymond, 40
- Portland, Ore.
- Welder
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Robert (Bud) Fitch, 52
- Molalla, Ore.
- Timber faller
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Jim Needham, 62
- Molalla, Ore.
- Network administrator and member of city council
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