COVID-19 Relief Bill offers an additional $300 in weekly unemplyment benefits

With many people still needing assistance due to the pandemic impacting their jobs, many welcome the additional unemployment benefits that are to come, thanks to the COVID-19 Relief Bill that was signed into law.

The $900 billion bill signed into law renewed the weekly additional unemployment benefits, which will now be $300, instead of the $600 that was being given in the beginning of the pandemic, that expired in July.

The weekly additional $300 in unemployment benefits scheduled to last 11-weeks, expiring in mid-March.

Mississippi and Alabama have seen a significant decrease in the number of individuals filing unemployment claims in the week of December 31, in comparison to the week of July 11. With 7,500 less claims filed in Mississippi, and almost 18,000 less claims filed in Alabama.

Two Mississippians shared that they believe the extended additional unemployment benefits will help those struggling financially at this time.

“I think that it will help a couple families. You know, some in need of the $300, some people are still not working. So, I think the $300 will help”, said Chrishawna Brown.

`“I believe it will help the ones who are already shooting bad, but you know I believe they can do more, but like they say – anything helps,” said Kevin Brown.

As of now, it has not yet been announced when Mississippians and Alabamians will begin to see the weekly additional $300 in unemployment benefits.