Increased Federal Unemployment Benefits Gone

The end of those programs comes as the unemployment rate continues to drop.

Sept. 7, 2021—Millions of Americans no longer have access to increased federal unemployment benefits enacted due to the economic crisis caused by COVID-19.

Two benefit programs put in place during the pandemic expired Monday, Sept. 6, which a report from the Associated Press says means some 8.9 million people no longer have access to unemployment. Another 2.1 million people no longer have access to the supplemental $300-a-week benefit, which ended Monday.

Twenty-five states had already ended participation in those benefits. The end of those programs comes as the unemployment rate continues to drop week-over-week. The number of claims fell to 340,000 last week, the lowest level since the COVID-19 pandemic started back in March. 

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