A looming deadline on the budget means that, among other programs scheduled to be trimmed, unemployment benefits would be cut by as much as 9.4 percent. Unemployed workers currently receiving benefits would see an immediate lowering of benefit checks.

President Obama and Congress are working to strike a deal before sequestration - or across the board cuts to a plethora of government programs - takes place. Both agreed to the sequestration in a budget deal struck in 2011.

The information on unemployment benefits comes as an uptick in unemployment benefit applications showed 20,000 more Americans signing up for assistance. However, data on unemployment is showing some employment growth, and possible stability going forward.

If cuts are made to government agencies, wide ranging effects are expected including a surge in unemployment as well as greater delays in all areas that are regulated by those agencies. Most Americans desire for a deal to be made to avoid these indiscriminate cuts from taking place.