COVID-19 Unemployment Benefits Ending Sept. 4th

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted the economy across the nation. We have seen unemployment rates at record numbers and many businesses were forced to shut down. In an effort to stabilize the effects of the pandemic, the U.S. Federal Government established several programs that provide additional unemployment benefits, such as a $300 bonus to unemployment checks, while removing many of the restrictions to qualifying for unemployment. Many people have been relying on these relief efforts to get by during these challenging times, but time is running out on these programs.

Without further legislative action, the week ending Sept. 4, 2021 is the last payable week for the following benefit programs:

• Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC):  Federal extension to state unemployment benefits for people who have exhausted state unemployment insurance benefits. 
• Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA): Federal benefits for the self-employed or people who are otherwise ineligible for state unemployment insurance benefits and extensions, and who unable to work as a direct result of COVID-19 each week. 
• Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC): Supplemental $300 weekly benefit paid in addition to a claimant’s state benefits, PEUC or PUA. 
• Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation (MEUC): Additional $100 a week for claimants receiving state benefits or PEUC who also meet requirements for self-employment income. 

Source: Department of Employment Security

Many will be left stranded after these programs end, but you don’t have to be. The economy has begun to rebound from the pandemic, and job openings are rising across the state. The end of the pandemic is in sight, and we need to be ready for when it comes. Now is the time to take advantage of the rise in job openings before the unemployment benefits run out. Research the job openings in your area and begin preparing and applying now, before other people reentering the workforce fill those positions ahead of you. The pandemic is almost over! The economy will rebound, and things will return to some semblance of normal, but we need to be prepared for when that happens.

For more information on the ending benefits programs, visit the DES. For more information on job openings and training opportunities, contact your local NCWorks Career Center.

David Jones

ECWDB Public Information Specialist

jones@ecwdb.org