By Fred Clasen-Kelly
frkelly@charlotteobserver.com

More than 16,000 people in Mecklenburg County could lose their unemployment benefits in the coming months unless federal lawmakers approve an extension, according to figures released by the state Thursday.

Congress this week allowed legislation extending benefits through November to lapse, meaning more than half of all the county's unemployment recipients may no longer receive weekly checks. The average unemployment paycheck is about $300 nationally, but it is about $280 in North Carolina.

On Thursday, the White House pressed lawmakers to renew payments for the jobless who have exhausted their benefits. A report from President Barack Obama's Council of Economic Advisors warned 2 million people nationwide could lose benefits this month.

Republicans say they want to help the unemployed, but argue officials must find spending cuts to offset the costs of extra benefits.

Read more at CharlotteObserver.com.

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