Coronavirus

Federal Unemployment Benefits End Monday

By the end of Labor Day Weekend a lifeline for an estimated 7 million people will no longer exist.

Federal Unemployment Benefits End Monday
Nam Y. Huh / AP
SMS

“I went back on food stamps. That’s the only way I’m eating. Other than that, I make $700 to pay my bills.” 

For Months $300 a week in federal benefits made a difference for unemployed Americans during the pandemic. But by the end of Labor Day Weekend a lifeline for an estimated 7 million people will no longer exist. 

All three benefits created under the Cares Act last year, and extended by the American Rescue Plan this year, expire on Monday.  

Here’s a quick rundown: 

The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program extends benefits to those previously considered ineligible for unemployment insurance like gig workers, the self-employed and independent contractors.  

Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation provides aid to people who exhausted their state benefits.  

Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation is a bonus on top of state benefits. It was an additional $600 dollars per week and reduced to $300 dollars per week earlier this year.