unemployment insurance

The U.S. Department of Labor on Thursday expanded unemployment eligibility in an effort to support those facing unsafe workplaces and out-of-work parents. 

The latest Covid relief bill from House Democrats unveiled this week ends federal aid a month before President Biden’s initial plan. Here’s what’s at stake.

Many Americans are out of work and may need to file for unemployment insurance benefits until the coronavirus outbreak is over. Here are steps experts recommend taking to navigate the process as smoothly as possible.

More than 25 million people are currently receiving enhanced UI payments. Without it, their weekly checks will drop by about two-thirds, to $383 per week on average, according to data from the U.S. Department of Labor. But that figure varies greatly by state.

Unless Congress acts, the $600 per week boost to unemployment benefits will be cut off at a time when a record number of Americans depend on that assistance. Roughly 25 million workers are set to be impacted by this benefit loss.

Some 5.4 million Americans will be financially insolvent by the end of August if enhanced unemployment insurance is not renewed or they are unable to return to work, Morning Consult finds.

The Senate is officially adjourned through Labor Day despite not coming to an agreement on its next coronavirus stimulus package.

The CARES Act substantially increased the number of weeks those out of work can collect jobless benefits, from most states offering 26 weeks to all states providing a total of at least 39 weeks. However, that provision only lasts through December 31, 2020.

President Donald Trump signed an executive order to extend enhanced unemployment benefits at a reduced rate of $400 per week. But aides clarified this week that the order actually only guarantees $300 per week from the federal government.

Lagging state unemployment insurance systems means potentially millions of workers will still receive extra $600 payments retroactively.

For millions of unemployed Americans, the arrival of boosted jobless aid will do little to counteract months of Congressional inaction.

Several states have already begun administering the latest $300 weekly enhancement to unemployment benefits.

Here’s who’s eligible for the new Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation benefit.

“I would have preferred that Congress took the money and gave all directly to individuals that are in dire straits,” Kevin O’Leary says.

There will not be a lapse in unemployment benefits for the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation programs.

Congress approved measures to resume enhanced unemployment benefits, but it may take a few weeks before unemployed Americans see any bump in their check. 

After months of inaction, Congress will pass another Covid-19 relief bill that includes stimulus checks for many Americans and enhanced unemployment benefits.

“This feels like the calm before the storm.”

Without a new stimulus deal, 66% of Americans currently collecting unemployment benefits will lose them by Dec. 26.