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As Unemployment Numbers Drop Some Austinites Still Looking For Work


The U.S. economy added a solid 146,000 jobs in November, dropping the unemployment rate to 7.7 percent, the lowest since December 2008.

As the economy shapes up, there is no doubt thousands are still fighting to make ends meet.

“I'm looking for anything -- receptionist, customer service, medical field,” said Dina Toombs who is unemployed.

A man who didn’t want to share his name said he is looking for, “warehouse, janitorial, construction work, whatever I can get.”

On a daily basis, if you walk into Workforce Solutions in Austin you can see the room is wall to wall with people looking for work.

“It's been a nightmare. I've been looking for almost a year,” said Toombs.

Right now, the unemployment rate in Central Texas is 5.3 percent.

If the fiscal cliff happens, Alan Miller of Workforce Solutions says it will impact them.

“We've be looking at cuts to our program funds at $1.5 million. That is going to reduce the number of individuals we are able to serve,” said Miller.

That would mean hundreds could be without the resources and training they need to find a job.

As for the national level, benefits like the SNAP Program would be put on the chopping block. Some are concerned that could include them.

“This is income until I get another job. I have applied every day for jobs and there are just so many people unemployed that I'm having a hard time,” said Toombs.

A man said, “If it wasn't for the SNAP benefits I wouldn't have no food to eat right now.”

As the clock ticks we are 24 days away from the fiscal cliff. Workforce Solutions is following it closely hoping the impact is not as severe as it has been forecasted.

By Christie Post