After July 31, millions of Americans without jobs will likely lose An additional $ 600 a week in unemployment benefits that has helped them weather the coronavirus pandemic. Lawmakers are negotiating a new aid package, but the chances of the additional lifeline being extended are slim. Depending on someone’s income and where they live, regular unemployment benefits replace only a portion of lost wages. Low-income workers who benefited most from the $ 600 lifeline will feel their loss most acutely.
Unemployment benefits are generally meant to keep people afloat while staying low enough to encourage them to find a job. But as the economy went into recession earlier this year, and the pandemic has kept many businesses closed or with limited capacity, jobs have disappeared for many.
The additional unemployment benefits passed by Congress this year have injected billions into the economy, and if those benefits are curtailed, that lost momentum could cause widespread damage.
The idea of basing benefits on workers’ past wages, which is central to the Republican plan, is not new. It is a factor in how states determine the benefits they provide, which is one reason why benefits may vary by location.
Here’s how unemployment benefits will change in each state when the $ 600 expires, ordered from the lowest benefit level to the highest for someone who earns $ 35,000 a year:
