For the first time in a 26 years, unemployment has hit double digits. Statistics show 10.2% of Americans are without jobs. That's nearly 16 million people.

But some financial help is on the way. People whose unemployment has run out, or will run out by the end of the year, are eligible for extensions.

Because Missouri is one of the hardest hit states, people here will collect unemployment for an additional 20 weeks as they navigate a stubborn job market.

"My biggest fear right now is just finding another job," Brian McCormick says.

After two months of applying -- unsuccessfully -- for telemarketing jobs, he says the unemployment checks are crucial for him to survive.

"People need to eat, pay their bills and keep their houses," McCormick says.

He's just one of the 8.4% of Springfield area workers looking for jobs.

"It's not a number, it's a person," Missouri Career Center Director Bill Dowling says.

And for all those people searching, there are just a handful of companies accepting.

"Boy, not a whole lot," Dowling says.

In the Springfield metro area, there are only about 400 jobs listed in the job search. That's about half of what it should be.

Major industries including manufacturing, welding, retail and construction are struggling.

So, who's hiring?

"Our hospitality hasn't done horribly," Dowling says. "Comparatively, we're holding our own."

He says that could soon change, as seasonal employees in Branson are about to be laid off.

"We're really going to see some increases in unemployment in the southern part of our region," Dowling says.

That means more people are collecting unemployment checks, so McCormick says extending those benefits will go a long way.

"I think it's going to help out a lot," he says.

He's hoping to land a job before his benefits run out, but is grateful for the safety net.

"That's a blessing, actually, that the government's going to help me for 20 more weeks in case I can't find another job," McCormick says.

When you add in the additional 20 weeks, people on unemployment can expect benefits for 99 weeks. That's nearly two years -- the longest time in U.S. history that people have been able to collect unemployment.

Dowling says he sees signs of economic recovery, but he says the stock market doesn't always affect people's pocketbooks. He says the homebuilding industry needs to rebound before things get better.