Unemployment benefits could be extended until 2022 as new legislation is introduced

UNEMPLOYMENT benefits could be extended until 2022, thanks to new legislation expected to be introduced this week.

It comes as the federal Covid support initially ended over the Labor Day weekend, leaving millions of jobless Americans without help.

The proposal will come from New York representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), who said the benefits would be extended through February 1, 2022, if passed.  

The bill would also be retroactive from September 6, the day unemployment benefits expired for millions of Americans.

"I will be reintroducing legislation to bring back the pandemic unemployment assistance," the progressive congresswoman said.

However, AOC is not “entirely sure the prospects of it.”

Around 7.5million unemployed individuals watched their benefits expire earlier this month, according to estimates by the Century Foundation.

Those benefits included checks worth $300 per week.

Plus, more than two dozen states decided to withdraw the support ahead of the September expiry date, with some as early as June.

The extension isn't guaranteed, and although AOC will likely make an effort, there hasn't been a lot of urgency from lawmakers including some of her Democratic colleagues.

Moreover, an extension of unemployment would have to go through moderate Democratic Senators Joe Machin of West Virginia and Kyrsten Sinema of Arizona.

Some claim that the benefits have been overly generous and contributed to complaints from employers who couldn't fill job vacancies.

Benefits that were in place

There were three major programs in effect for unemployed Americans.

Firstly, pandemic unemployment compensation (PUC) provided an extra $300 a week in addition to full state benefits.

Secondly, pandemic unemployment assistance (PUA) extended eligibility to include self-employed and freelancers who usually didn't qualify.

Thirdly, pandemic emergency unemployment compensation (PEUC) has provided help for those who are still without a job after exhausting their state benefits, which are typically paid for up to 26 weeks.

How to get help if you're struggling

If you’re still unemployed, there might still be a way you can get help.

You may be eligible for extra support by moving over to extended benefits (EB).

This is a federally funded aid program that kicks in depending on your state's unemployment rate.

EB generally offers an extra 13 to 20 weeks of jobless aid, as long as you didn't already use up your EB weeks earlier on in the pandemic.

Your weekly benefit amount for EB is the same amount you received for your traditional unemployment benefits.

This is a portion of your previous wage, with the percentage depending on your local state.

In Alaska, for example, you can receive a minimum weekly benefit amount of $56 up to a maximum of $370 per week.

Check out three big changes coming this week that can boost your bank accounts.