Why Did Benefits End Early In So Many States
Citing labor shortages in the spring, 26 state governors claimed pandemic-related unemployment benefits were producing limited incentives for workers to take jobs. Many economists and analysts disagreed, highlighting several factors that prevented people from finding suitable work, including low wages, lack of health care, inadequate child care and fear of contracting COVID-19.
With unemployment claims still fluctuating as the economy struggles to return to pre-pandemic “normalcy,” reports are showing that the early cancellation of the federal programs had little impact on labor markets. A recent JP Morgan Chase Institute study confirmed that states that ended supplemental unemployment insurance programs during the summer saw a limited impact on job growth.
According to an August report by the Century Foundation’s Andrew Stettner, “Politics, not economics, drove the attack on unemployment insurance.” The states that cut off the enhanced benefits before the federal expiration were mostly Republican-led.
Arkansas, Indiana and Maryland were slated to cut off benefits early, but successful lawsuits forced those states to preserve the federal coverage, at least temporarily. In issuing their rulings, judges noted that the ending of benefits made it harder for the unemployed to afford basic needs. Lawsuits were also filed against state governors elsewhere, which were either denied by judges or are still held up in the courts.
Who Will Be Impacted By These Federal Benefits Ending And How
Gig workers and the self-employed
People receiving Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, or PUA, will lose their weekly benefits. This is the program created for workers who dont fit within the bounds of traditional unemployment insurance, like gig workers and independent contractors. As of Aug. 7, more than 916,000 New Yorkers were claiming PUA benefits each week, and in the week of Aug. 21, nearly 1,200 people filed new claims for the program.
Workers who have been unemployed for more than six months straight
If your unemployment insurance claim has reached or surpassed the originally allotted 26 weeks, your benefits will end. This is because two federal programs called Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation, or PEUC, and Extended Benefits, or EB, will be expiring on Sept. 5. These programs extended the length of time someone could receive unemployment benefits in New York to account for the economic challenges of the pandemic. As of Aug. 7, more than 713,000 people were claiming PEUC benefits, and more than 7,000 people were claiming EB benefits.
Anyone receiving unemployment benefits and getting the extra $300 a week
That weekly boost from the feds will disappear on Sep. 5, too. That means anyone receiving any kind of unemployment benefits will drop back down to their normal payments from the state, which are a maximum $504 a week.
Federal Programs That Expanded Unemployment Programs Are Expiring
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Federal programs that expanded and extended unemployment benefits are expiring.
The week ending Sept. 4, 2021 is the last payable week of benefits from these programs that were established with the Coronairus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act and continued under the American Rescue Plan Act:
- Pandemic Unemployment Assistance: for the self-employed, freelancers, independent contractors and others who don’t qualify for regular unemployment benefits.
- Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation : Extends benefits after you run out of regular unemployment benefits.
- Pandemic Unemployment Compensation : The extra $300 a week for all eligible claimants.
- Mixed Earners Unemployment Compensation : Provides an additional $100 per week to certain claimants who have earned at least $5,000 in net self-employment income.
If you have eligible weeks prior to Sept. 4:
- If we find that you are eligible, we will continue to process and pay benefits for weeks you claimed through the week ending Sept. 4. Your certification for the week ending Sept. 4 will be due after that date, however, you will still be able to certify for that week on your regularly scheduled certification day and time.
If you are currently receiving PEUC benefits:
- You may be eligible for a regular unemployment claim. Login to your MiWAM account and follow the link under “Account Alerts” to reopen/file a claim.
If you have a claim pending in adjudication or appeal after Sept. 4:
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Can I Still Receive Regular Unemployment Benefits
Outside of the dates listed above, unemployment benefits offered by states will remain unchanged. This means if you are still eligible for unemployment benefits after any of the specific CARES Act provisions expire, you should still be able to collect benefits from your state.
If your normal state benefits run out, you should be able to access additional weekly benefits through the PEUC program until it expires.
What To Know About 971 846 776 And 290 Transcript Codes
Some taxpayers who’ve accessed their transcripts report seeing different tax codes, including 971 , 846 and 776 . Others are seeing code 290 along with “Additional Tax Assessed” and a $0.00 amount. Since these codes could be issued in a variety of instances, including for stimulus checks and other tax refunds or adjustments, it’s best to consult the IRS or a tax professional about your personalized transcript.
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Extra $300 Per Week In Unemployment Benefits
The Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program provides Americans receiving unemployment insurance an extra $300 per week in addition to normal state benefits. This program is completely funded by the federal government and includes anyone receiving unemployment benefits in all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
Additionally, ARPA gives an extra $100 in weekly benefits for people who have a mix of employment and self-employment income for example, if you had a part-time job and gig work. This additional benefit is provided under the Mixed Earner Unemployment Compensation program.
Both the MEUC and FPUC program expire on September 6, 2021.
Why Is My Unemployment Claim Pending
If your claim status is pending, we may need to confirm your identity or eligibility before we can process payment.
If we need to confirm your eligibility, we will schedule a phone interview with you. For more information, visit Claim Status: Pending Payment.
Many people receiving unemployment are reaching the end of their benefit year. If your unemployment claim expired because your benefit year ended, you must apply for a new claim. If you do not, we will not be able to determine your eligibility or process payments, which can lead to a Pending claim status. To learn more, visit Benefit Year End.
Note: If you have an existing Pandemic Unemployment Assistance claim, you do not need to submit a new application.
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Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation
Under the stimulus legislation enacted last year, people can get benefits for up to 79 weeks after their regular eligibility thanks to a program called Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation.
But in many cases, the transition from regular benefits to PEUC hasn’t been seamless, and many people appear to be missing out on money for which they are eligible.
“States are supposed to inform workers when they fall out of regular unemployment insurance that they are eligible for PEUC and give them information about how to apply, says Michele Evermore, former senior policy analyst at the National Employment Law Project who now works as a senior advisor on unemployment insurance for the U.S. Department of Labor. But from what I’m hearing, that’s not happening in every state. Unfortunately, during this pandemic, we’ve found that you have to be incredibly persistent to actually access the benefits you’re owed.”
Whether or not a state sends out notification, unemployed workers do have to apply to receive PEUC benefits. That means you should be proactive and make sure to complete whatever process your state requires, Evermore says. The PEUC application could be as simple as checking a box on paperwork you already have to complete regularly to continue to receive your usual weekly benefits. Or it could be an additional form you have to complete on your state’s unemployment website. Be sure to check with your state agency to find out what you need to do to receive PEUC.
Does Your Unemployment End September 4 Help Is Available
An estimated 314,097 Massachusetts workers will lose all of their unemployment benefits as of the week ending September 4, due to the end of Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation . If your unemployment benefits are ending, you may be able to get other benefits such as SNAP and TAFDC.
SNAP is monthly money to buy food. Most households with low or no income are eligible for SNAP. Someone in your family must be a U.S. Citizen or an eligible immigrant, but getting SNAP will not hurt your immigration status or the status of anyone who lives with you.
TAFDC is monthly cash for certain families with children and pregnant women. To get TAFDC, you must have very low income or no income. Someone in your family must be a U.S. Citizen or an eligible immigrant. If you get TAFDC, you can also get free childcare, money for transportation to work, school or training, $300 for a new baby, $350 for each child getting benefits in September, and employment and training services.
Apply for SNAP and TAFDC through the Department of Transitional Assistance at DTAConnect.com.
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State Covid Relief And Unemployment Benefits
We all know that our UI benefits will go down substantially after Jan. 1, but another important question to ask is, When do unemployment benefits end ? The answer depends on your states maximum weekly benefit amount, how long benefits may be paid, and other details of your state UI program. The weekly maximum benefit amounts in most states are somewhere between the $600 provided for by the CARES Act, and the $300 benefit in the new relief package.
Create An Action Plan
If you are close to losing your unemployment benefits, you need to create an action plan to fall back on.
The best time to trim expenses and find resources is while you still qualify for unemployment. Make a plan now, and you can save yourself additional stress later.
The longer youre unemployed, the more challenging it can be to get your finances in order and find work, but there are resources available to help long-term unemployed workers.
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Are There Resources That Can Help Me Find A Job
Several local and Internet resources can help you find a job. Contact your local unemployment office to see if they can help you apply to jobs in your area or begin your search online at CareerOneStop, the Labor Departments jobs website. There are also several online platforms such as LinkedIn, Indeed, and Monster that you can use to apply to available jobs.
Could Pandemic Unemployment Benefits Be Extended Past Labor Day
Having passed the deadline, White House officials and lawmakers have not indicated the expired benefits will continue. Enhanced unemployment insurance programs were always intended to be temporary, and theres been no serious effort to extend the benefits, according to Stettner.
I think Congress just kind of got tired of this issue. Expanding these programs is not cheap, and they want to move on to other things, Stettner says. While theres a chance that Congress authorizes new unemployment benefits in the future, nothing has been announced.
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What Is A Back
Some states have launched programs using funds from the American Rescue Plan to incentivize people for taking a job.
Arizona set aside $300 million of federal funds to offer a one-time $2,000 bonus for people who rejoin the workforce with a full-time job. Those who go back to work part-time receive a $1,000 one-time stipend. Workers must also make less than $25 dollars an hour or the equivalent salary of $52,000 a year.
Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey’s office also announced the state would cover up to three months of child care for returning workers.
Montana’s Return-to-Work Bonus initiative will pay workers $1,200 who discontinue taking unemployment benefits after completing four weeks of work. According to the state’s website, workers must be willing to take a job in any industry.
And under Oklahoma’s program, workers would also receive $1,200 after six weeks at a new job.
People Collecting Peuc May Qualify For Extended Benefits
PEUC offered additional weeks of jobless benefits to the long-term unemployed who exhausted their state’s benefits window, which averages 26 weeks but can vary.
After Labor Day, workers in some states may be eligible for continued aid by moving over to Extended Benefits, a federally funded aid program that kicks in depending on their state’s unemployment rate. EB generally offers an additional 13 to 20 weeks of jobless aid.
These benefits are currently on in nine states and Washington, D.C. However, as Andrew Stettner of The Century Foundation wrote, five states and D.C. are paying EB on the condition of it being 100% federally funded.
“As of September 6, we predict that only Alaska, Connecticut, New Jersey, and New Mexico will be able to transition exhausting PEUC recipients onto EB, but with 50% state funding,” he wrote.
If a worker already depleted their EB weeks earlier in the pandemic, they will not have any additional weeks after PEUC runs out on Labor Day.
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How To Track Your Refund And Check Your Tax Transcript
The first way to get clues about your refund is to try the IRS online tracker applications: The Where’s My Refund tool can be accessed here. If you filed an amended return, you can check the Amended Return Status tool.
If those tools don’t provide information on the status of your unemployment tax refund, another way to see if the IRS processed your refund is by viewing your tax records online. You can also request a copy of your transcript by mail or through the IRS’ automated phone service by calling 1-800-908-9946.
Here’s how to check your tax transcript online:
1. Visit IRS.gov and log in to your account. If you haven’t opened an account with the IRS, this will take some time as you’ll have to take multiple steps to confirm your identity.
2. Once logged in to your account, you’ll see the Account Home page. Click View Tax Records.
3. On the next page, click the Get Transcript button.
4. Here you’ll see a drop-down menu asking the reason you need a transcript. Select Federal Tax and leave the Customer File Number field empty. Click the Go button.
5. The following page will show a Return Transcript, Records of Account Transcript, Account Transcript and Wage & IncomeTranscript for the last four years. You’ll want the 2020 Account Transcript.
6. This will open a PDF of your transcript: Focus on the Transactions section. What you’re looking for is an entry listed as Refund issued, and it should have a date in late May or June.
What Are Extended Benefits
Extended benefits are additional weeks of unemployment compensation that are available to workers who have exhausted regular unemployment insurance benefits during periods of high unemployment. The basic Extended Benefits program provides up to 13 additional weeks of unemployment compensation when a state is experiencing high unemployment.
In some states, there may be an additional 7 additional weeks of extended benefits during periods of extremely high unemployment.
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Eligibility And How To Apply Explained
To be eligible for EB, you must first exhaust all 26 weeks of traditional unemployment insurance benefits.
You must also exhaust all 53 weeks of Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation benefits and continue to be unemployed.
Keep in mind you can’t quit your job to claim EB – doing so will result in disqualification.
When a state begins an EB period, it notifies those who have received all of their regular benefits that they may be eligible for them too.
To find out if you are and to apply, contact your state’s unemployment insurance agency.
We explain how to go back to work and keep unemployment benefits.
We also reveal how to get other support including food stamps, student loan relief and help for renters.
Households who received unemployment checks last year may be able to get a tax refund – here’s how to check the status of the payment
Help With Rent And Utilities For Landlords And Renters
Renters and landlords can get financial help to cover 100% of:
- Past due and future rent payments
- Utility bills like gas, electric, water, garbage, and internet
We recommend renters and landlords work together to apply. Either can start the process. Renters must provide some information, regardless of who starts the application. Landlords can get paid quicker if they participate in the program. Learn about how to apply.
To get help with your application, call the COVID-19 rent relief contact center at . Its open 7 days a week, 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM Pacific Time.
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Pandemic Unemployment Benefits Just Expired What Will Families Do Now
The federal pandemic unemployment benefits program ends Monday, leaving millions to wonder how theyll make ends meet for their families.
An estimated 7.5 million people will be affected, according to calculations by the Century Foundation, a progressive think tank. An additional 2.1 million unemployed people will lose the $300 per week federal supplement.
Since the start of the pandemic, the government has spent almost $800 billion in unemployment assistance, intended as short-term measures to support households and keep the economy going.
The programs included Pandemic Unemployment Assistance, which kicked in after regular state unemployment benefits expired, and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation, which was extended to gig workers who were not normally eligible for benefits.
But Covid has more patience than Washington, which appears to have little appetite to extend the benefits, even as the delta variant rages.
“Food stamps and the child tax credit can avert destitution, but many people are in harm’s way now.”
NBC News spoke with several households earlier in the summer as more than two dozen states began prematurely opting out of the federal benefits program. The families described desperate circumstances. Months later, how their choices played out offer a preview of what awaits the newcomers.
Instead, she turned the crisis on its head and started watching other kids in her home.
Others say they feel like theyre staring into the abyss.
