Many Washingtonians worry about financial future after federal unemployment benefits expire
People receiving federal unemployment benefits said the benefits were a “lifeline.” Now, many Washingtonians who received the benefits are worried about the next chapter of the pandemic as COVID-19 cases surge and federal unemployment benefits expire.
The Biden Administration believes the economy is strong enough not to be rattled by the end of the benefits, but some receiving the benefits argue that's too simple as the virus continues to surge.
Washington State Employment Security Department (ESD) has been working to notify people the benefits would expire the week ending on Sept. 4. The now-expired benefits include $300 in weekly bonus checks and coverage for people who are self-employed. Many people now expect to receive $0 in unemployment.
"I think there are people who assume somehow that people want benefits just because they're lazy, or, you know, unwilling to work. And that's not the case," said Stacey Mastrian, a Seattle resident and one of the estimated 8.9 million Americans about to receive their last unemployment check.
https://www.msn.com/en-us/lifestyle/lifestyle-buzz/many-washingtonians-worry-about-financial-future-after-federal-unemployment-benefits-expire/ar-AAOasZo
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