LANSING, Mich. — One point one million people filed new jobless claims last week, according to the labor department.meanwhile there were nearly 15 Million continuing claims for unemployment last week and many are struggling to live off the benefits they are receiving. Alicia Nieves shows us where Congress is at with a new stimulus plan and why the President's executive order won't help some of those who need it the most.
Congress is still in a stalemate over a new stimulus pkg…
This means those unemployed have to live off their state's normal unemployment benefit.
Andrew Stettner, a senior fellow at The Century Foundation, explains “The national average for unemployment dropped from nearly $400 a week to just $308 a week in June of this year because so many low- wage workers were losing their jobs.”
Many low wage workers could be getting far less than that average state weekly benefit. For example, in a state like Hawaii some low- wage workers could be getting the state’s minimum payout of just $5 a week right now. In other states like Louisiana ($10), Connecticut ($15), North Carolina ($15), Nevada ($16), Oklahoma ($16) and Delaware ($20… their minimums aren’t much higher either. In fact..
“All but nine states have minimum benefits below $100 per week.”
Here’s why that is important, especially now.
“If you don’t get more than $100 in unemployment benefits from the state you can’t get Trump’s new loss- wage assistance.”
The President’s executive order for “Lost Wage Assistance” is an additional $300 a week from the federal government for those on unemployment and is supposed to run through the end of year (Dec. 27th).
It is the only stopgap in place to help those unemployed right now… But it doesn’t help those who may need help the most.
That’s why many are urging congress to quickly come to an agreement on the next stimulus bill that helps everyone struggling.
“I think there is the will to continue federal unemployment employment benefits, Trump’s executive order. Trump’s executive order promises them through December 27th but there is not enough money to fulfill that promise. So, I think there is the will to do the right thing but there is a lot getting in the way.”
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