Poll: Should Unemployment Benefits Require Community Service?

Dubbed the "Dignity for the Unemployed Act," the bill proposed by Georgia lawmakers would force applicants for state unemployment benefits to perform at least 24 hours of volunteer service a week at a nonprofit charitable organization, reports the AJC.

The mandate would kick in after the first two weeks of eligibility. The commissioner of the state Labor Department could waive the requirement in cases of hardship.

According to the AJC, State Sen. John Albers, R-Roswell, has signed on as the bill's chief sponsor, with support from others including Senate Majority Leader Chip Rogers, R-Woodstock.

Here’s a link to the prefiled legislation for the General Assembly session starting in mid-January.

One of the big stigmas of unemployment benefits is the misconception that it's welfare. Do you have to perform volunteer work to collect on auto insurance? Health insurance? 

It's especially interesting that this is being considered at the start of unemployment benefits when people truly are within their pool of insurance funds.

Should it be considered for later tiers, which are covered solely by tax dollars at the discretion of lawmakers?

What's your opinion? Share it in the Comment Box below and vote in the poll.