Pandemic Unemployment Benefits Expire

Expanded pandemic-era unemployment benefits provided by the American Rescue Plan expired on September 6, leaving an estimated 7.5 million Americans without jobless aid amid a nationwide surge in COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations.

With these federal pandemic unemployment benefits having come to an end, many families and communities still reeling from the effects of the coronavirus pandemic are wondering how they will sustain themselves with the looming threat of the delta variant and economic hardship over them.

There are three main programs providing nearly $800 billion in assistance during the pandemic that ended: Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, covering those not traditionally eligible for aid like part-time worker, the self employed, and gig workers; Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation, aid to those who have exhausted their state’s benefits period; and the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation, a weekly $300 payment. These changes come as the surging delta variant threatens to keep businesses and other workplaces closed.

The coronavirus is very much a continued threat to the livelihoods of many Americans, especially the unvaccinated, minorities, and the lower class. Studies by NPR have shown that nationally, African Americans deaths from coronavirus are “nearly two times greater than would be expected based on their share of the population.”

With these benefits being the only or primary source of income for many, combined with the recent loss of the national eviction moratorium, many may likely face the reality of losing their homes or being unable to pay rent. The program’s expiration will largely affect the long-term unemployed, caregivers, and gig workers — groups who are not usually eligible for unemployment insurance but were able to receive aid under the enhanced pandemic assistance. Minority workers in frontline businesses, women, and caregivers in particular are expected to be hit hard by this loss of unemployment assistance, according to a recent report from public policy firm The Century Foundation.

“The data shows they have been the least likely to be able to stock up on the stimulus and child tax credit or have emergency savings, so they’re the ones that are going to be affected a lot,” said Andrew Stettner, an unemployment researcher. “And we know there’s a lot of discrimination out there, so it’s harder for them to find jobs.”

With New York containing 13%, or about 2,467,006 people, who live below the poverty line and Poughkeepsie above the state’s average poverty level at 20.2% in 2020, it is undoubted that these effects will be seen first hand in Marist’s surrounding community.

In the state of New York, however, there may be some hope for those self-employed. New York will continue to accept new Pandemic Unemployment Assistance claims for the following 30 days after September 5, 2021. While not offering the same assistance as all the earlier federal programs combined, it will likely provide helpful aid to those struggling to find employment amid the pandemic.

Rebecca DowlingSeptember 21, 2021Comment