$600 unemployment bonus for those affected by COVID-19 might be going away

Millions of American families, including some in southwestern Pa., could be just days away from losing the $600 bonuses that have been sent to people who lost their jobs because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The CARES Act, the federal coronavirus relief law enacted in March, provided that extra aid through July 31 to Americans receiving jobless benefits. But in all states, that subsidy will end this weekend -- on July 25 or 26 -- unless Congress passes legislation to extend the timeline.

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Payments are ending about a week earlier than the CARES Act allows due to the administrative calendar that states use to pay benefits.

The timing is tough for families that are struggling financially, as it comes right when mortgage payments, rent and end-of-month bills are due.

“It’s frustrating because it’s hard enough,” said Kris Hoskins, one of the thousands of unemployed Pa. residents.

He’s a cook in a struggling restaurant and hospitality industry, and his severe asthma makes him extremely high-risk. Hoskins said for people like him in need of life-saving medications, the cost of long-term unemployment just won’t pay the bills.

“Those of us who are high risk for catching it, and it could kill me ... not saying it will, but it could. That $600 a week is necessary because $195 a week is nothing when you have to pay rent, utilities, car gas, insurance,” said Hoskins.

Without the additional $600 a week from the federal government, the average unemployed American gets a check for $383 a week -- which totals out to about $1,500 a month.

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