Title: New Coronavirus Stimulus Proposal Would Extend $600 Unemployment Checks, Give More Workers Benefits
Headings: New Coronavirus Stimulus Proposal Would Extend $600 Unemployment Checks, Give More Workers Benefits
New Coronavirus Stimulus Proposal Would Extend $600 Unemployment Checks, Give More Workers Benefits
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The proposed legislation would move to expand the scenarios under which an individual not traditionally eligible for unemployment can still earn weekly benefits. The new situations would include people under self-quarantine because they live with someone who is immunocompromised, people who have stayed home to care for elderly family members and adults finishing school who cannot find work. Democratic Senators Jack Reed of Rhode Island and Michael Bennet of Colorado are developing the Senate's version of the bill. In the Worker Relief and Security Act, CARES Act unemployment benefits would continue after the six-month extension, tapering off at different rates depending on the severity of the unemployment crisis in a particular state. Workers receiving either of the expanded-eligibility or exhausted-eligibility benefits in states that have low unemployment rates could continue to earn these benefits for up to 13 weeks beyond the six-month extension. Workers receiving these benefits in states with high unemployment could continue to be eligible for over a year later. The bonus payments would also continue after the extreme social distancing period, gradually reducing in size from $600 at faster or slower rates depending on a state's unemployment condition. Generally, individuals will collect the reduced bonus payments for at least 13 weeks after the social period and continue to receive them until the national unemployment rate falls below 5.5 percent. Beyer released a Joint Economic Committee report last week arguing that unemployment insurance should be automatically tied to economic conditions and should not be allowed to expire because of legislative inaction. "The most sensible way for Congress to guarantee that economic assistance will continue as long as it is needed is by directly linking it to the state of the economy instead of picking arbitrary expiration dates," the report said. "