Yesterday we launched a new interactive, showing how our unemployment insurance system is in crisis. So far, 25 states have run out of money and been forced to borrow from the federal government, raise taxes or cut benefits And we project that the trust funds in nine more – Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Tennessee and Vermont – will go into the red in the next six months.

The consequences are dire. Businesses in many states where unemployment funds have been depleted have seen their taxes raised from a few dollars to nearly $1,000 per worker for 2010. Other states are asking unemployed workers to take a hit. Pennsylvania has cut all unemployment checks by 2.4 percent, and some seniors in Virginia will see their unemployment benefits drastically cut if they also receive Social Security.

We plan to cover this issue from the ground up in the coming months, and we’re reaching out to you for insight and help.

Do you have experience with unemployment insurance challenges or appeals? Has your business been affected by unemployment insurance rates? Have you worked in unemployment insurance administration or at a one-stop job center? Have you handled unemployment insurance issues as an HR person? Have you covered this issue as a reporter at the state level?

If you have professional behind-the-scenes experience dealing with your state’s unemployment insurance system, reply to this e-mail. You can share your stories and insights with us confidentially by e-mail or save them for a phone conversation. Please tell us how we can best contact you.

Or perhaps you’re unemployed or know someone who is. Please share your experiences dealing with your state’s unemployment fund with us using this form.

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