Unemployment

* Beginning Oct. 1, anyone who receives unemployment for the first 26 weeks of a one-year claim will not be able to file for an extension. This is because of the fact that the federal government says that unemployment has fallen under 7% nationwide, even though California is well above that mark.

For me, a first-time collector of this benefit after working eight years in the aerospace industry, and so far unable to find a job, I could possibly be put out onto the streets.

Taxes go up, layoffs continue and the government says the economy is getting better. I guess it is getting better . . . for them. No wonder the country is in such “fine” shape.

GARY FRIEDMAN

Van Nuys