Additional $600 From The Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation Program End This Month

Tonight, news for those receiving an additional $600, along with what you claim as your usual unemployment benefits, those funds from the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program are scheduled to stop at the end of this month.

The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, And Economic Security Act also known as the CARES Act, scheduled Friday, July 31 as the last day for the additional $600 in federal unemployment assistance to end. For many states like Mississippi and Alabama, these funds will stop almost a week earlier than many anticipated on Saturday, July 25.

This is due to many states distributing unemployment benefits weekly on Saturday or Sunday.

Many receiving these benefits were not anticipating the additional to stop before July 31. Although, some states labor departments, like the Alabama Department of Labor, included a statement on its website noting that the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation benefits will expire on the week ending in July 25.

One woman shared that she believes this will hurt many people that were not expecting it to end before July 31.

“I think its going to hurt a lot of families, because a lot of families –if that’s what they depend on to feed their kids, because everybody don’t get the food stamps and stuff to help them, and I think that we still need the $600, because it goes a long way,” said Jennifer Wilson, resident.

Although these benefits are expiring soon there has been discussion of possibly extending them. The HEROES Act, passed by the house in May, would extend these benefits until early 2021, but lawmakers are currently debating the extension.

“Well, I think they should have another one, especially with a lot of people who haven’t been back to work, but its understandable if they have been back to work, so I think they should do another one,” said Wilson.

Although the additional $600 unemployment supplemental benefits end on or before July 31, traditional unemployment benefits will still be available for those who qualify.