For months, $300 a week in federal benefits made a difference for unemployed Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I went back on food stamps. That’s the only way I’m eating. Other than that, I make $700 to pay my bills.”
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 per week and reduced to $300 per week earlier this year.
This story was originally published by Lauren Stephenson and Emily Grossberg at Newsy
