The Clock is Ticking on Unemployment Benefits

When coronavirus grasped the nation in its unforgiving fist, many employers were forced to cut their staff while non-essential businesses were directed to close entirely. This meant thousands of hard-working individuals had to hang up their work aprons and stow away their name tags for the duration of the pandemic. The Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy reported unemployment rates as high as 14.7%, “a level not seen since the Great Depression in the 1930s.” 

Families across the country struggled to make ends meet in the midst of this new precarious, post-pandemic economy. Luckily, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act set aside $2 trillion in economic assistance at the end of March, which provided relief to the jobless masses in the form of a $600 bonus to unemployment checks. Since then, the “6 by 9” government-issued envelopes have become a lifeline for many desperate Americans. However, what some have failed to realize is that that lifeline will be cut off on July 31.

July 31 marks the discontinuation date of the $600 weekly enhancement to unemployment benefits, which means that unless congress passes legislation extending the financial aid, average individuals can expect to receive a significantly smaller sum of $383 a week. With the job market in such a bleak state and 25 million Americans without a steady income, many citizens are advocating for additional federal support. 

Without the additional $600 of unemployment, I’d homeless, default on my car payment & be unable to pay for my prescription meds. It’s not “fun” money I’m throwing around on expensive clothes, it’s critical to keeping my head above water. #unemployment #unemploymentbenefits

— Betta (@Tuulikki720) July 24, 2020

Meanwhile, Ivanka Trump has recently launched a campaign called “Find Something New.” The goal of the initiative is to assist unemployed Americans switch their professional trajectory by acquiring new skills during the pandemic. Upon launch, Trump announced, “we want to facilitate that connection back to the workforce and make it as smooth as possible.”

Social media was quick to dismiss Trump’s efforts as an overly-simplistic approach to healing the national wound inflicted by the pandemic.

Ivanka Trump’s solution for unemployment pic.twitter.com/s2aTK3SJPh

— natalie g (@nataliereports) July 14, 2020

Americans don’t need Ivanka Trump to tell them to “find something new” at a time of historic unemployment. They need support to keep paying their bills & feeding their families until the crisis ends. The #HeroesAct does that w/ more UI, stimulus, and support. https://t.co/coq3WLzHBT

— Judy Chu (@RepJudyChu) July 14, 2020

Trump responded to claims that her campaign was insensitive and out of touch with American attitudes by tweeting, “I suggest that you visit http://FindSomethingNew.org. This initiative is about challenging the idea that the traditional 2 and 4 yr college is the only option to acquire the skills needed to secure a job. This work has never been more urgent.”

I suggest that you visit https://t.co/dRZMdZyON4.

This initiative is about challenging the idea the traditional 2 and 4 yr college is the only option to acquire the skills needed to secure a job.

This work has never been more urgent. https://t.co/S74NXLMzRg

— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) July 14, 2020

If you are feeling overwhelmed by the uncertainties surrounding how to best revive the economy and what that will look like for the American people, take comfort in the certainty that you are not alone in those feelings. The national pandemic has introduced a host of financial hardships and health concerns into the lives of millions of citizens, but during these trying times it is more important than ever to remain optimistic about the future… and follow the CDC guidelines.