LANE COUNTY, Ore. — After months, Lane County businesses are still experiencing severe understaffing.

But now it sounds like there's hope there may be more job applicants soon.

Unemployment benefits that were expanded during the pandemic expired on Labor Day, including those extra $300 weekly benefits and expanded coverage for gig workers and others.

While that might not be good news for the people receiving those benefits, businesses are hoping it will lead more people to go back to work.

For local restaurants like Mandy's, staying open is a daily struggle due to understaffing.

The owner tells us she's been waiting to reopen indoor seating for months, and just had to push back that projected opening to October.

"I've had one day that I had to close cause I didn't have enough staff but I am right there," said Amanda Watts, the owner of Mandy's Family Restaurant. "If somebody calls in sick I either have to figure out how I could work it or close it. But I'm strong right now we're not going to lose anymore. But as far as opening the inside, I cannot do that until I get more help"

Mandy's has been advertising on Craigslist and through word of mouth. Watts has been able to hire a couple of cooks but still needs more.

She says, unfortunately, she has not gotten any resumes since last week's change to unemployment benefits.

We spoke with several other restaurants this weekend, and about half of them say they have seen an uptick in job applications since that Labor Day change. The others, like Mandy's, are hoping they'll see that same surge in the coming weeks.