LANSING, Mich. — It took Congress almost nine months but they have finally agreed on another stimulus package. It provides a one-time stimulus check, extends the eviction moratorium another month, and adds an additional $300 to extended unemployment benefits. Alicia Nieves shows us why there is mixed-emotions around the bill, even among those who simply needed anything to survive.
Congress has agreed on a more than 900 billion dollar stimulus package.the deal prevents - most notably the lapse of the federal eviction moratorium and prevents 12 million Americans from expiring out of unemployment benefits.
“It is a success and a win because that won’t happen. beyond that, it’s not much of a win.” Stephanie Freed is amongst, millions of Americans, who are unemployed and have already expired out of unemployment benefits. under the new deal, she will be able to now apply for unemployment again and will be eligible for the new - additional $300 weekly supplemental.
Although “the $300 is half of what people needed to survive and the bigger problem is that it is not retroactive. There has been five months with no additional benefit. state UI is not a livable wage.” people in some states have been getting less than $10 a week in unemployment benefits for the past five months. forcing those like Grant McDonald to drain their savings and take on massive amounts of debt.
“Personally, I have not kept up with the number because i have just been trying to keep up with it all. I am just trying to pay as much as i can and watch my savings slowly disappear.”
Congress did agree on a $600 stimulus check that some say could help with debt. “I think $600 is what rich people think poor people think is a lot of money. When in reality that additional $300 plus the $600, one-time, is not going to help anyone pay any of the accumulated debts.
”For Freed, McDonald, and thousands of unemployed people. The new stimulus deal is something, but nothing close to what they’ve been waiting months for“ "Wwe understand there are some wins here but mostly it means that we have to keep fighting.”
The biden administration has called this latest package a “down payment” to the American people. Signaling an expectation for yet another stimulus deal.
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