Sept. 3, 2021—Millions of Americans will soon lose 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 will expire 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 will also lose the supplemental $300-a-week benefit, which also ends Monday.
Twenty-five states have 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.
