Since the recent expiration of the additional $600 in unemployment benefits, those who are currently unemployed during this unprecedented time have been anxious to find out if they will continue to receive any additional weekly benefits moving forward. This is due to the back and forth between Republicans and Democrats regarding what a new stimulus package should look like, stalling any decisions that would reflect a new financial aid package.
Meanwhile, President Trump recently signed an executive order through FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) to allocate $44 billion in existing federal emergency funds to states that apply for aid. This would provide those who are unemployed and receive benefits with an extra $300 per week. This additional benefit is retroactive back to August 1st. While this program is set up to run through the end of the year, for now, only the first three weeks have been allocated.
In addition to the current three-week limit, those who receive this extra $300 must be receiving unemployment benefits of at least $100 a week. This is causing concern for lower-income individuals that do not qualify for this additional benefit. A solution to this has not yet been found.
I recently discussed unemployment claims and other workplace issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic with Hal Eisner of Fox 11 KTTV News. I explain how many states were not prepared for the overwhelming number of unemployment claims and the extra $600 that was previously passed through the CARES Act back in March of this year. Furthermore, California specifically is still behind in processing the millions of claims received since the start of the pandemic. Even so, the state’s additional unemployment benefits are scheduled to go out the week of September 7.
Experienced Employment Law Attorney, Mediator, Arbitrator, Investigator, Legal and Media Commentator
Angela Reddock-Wright is an employment and labor law attorney, certified workplace and Title IX investigator (AWI-CH), mediator, and arbitrator in Los Angeles, CA. Known as the “Workplace Guru,” Angela is an influencer and leading authority on employment, workplace/HR, Title IX, hazing, and bullying issues.
Angela is a regular legal and media commentator and analyst and has appeared on such media outlets as Entertainment Tonight, Law and Crime with Brian Ross, Court TV, CNN, ABC, CBS, Fox 11 News, KTLA-5, the Black News Channel, Fox Soul – The Black Report, NPR, KPCC, Airtalk-89.3, KJLH Front Page with Dominique DiPrima, the New York Times, the Washington Post, the LA Times, Yahoo! Entertainment, People Magazine, Essence Magazine, the Los Angeles Sentinel, LA Focus, Our Weekly and the Wave Newspapers.
Angela also is a member of the panel of distinguished mediators and arbitrators with Judicate West, a California company that represents the gold standard in dispute resolution. She also owns her own law firm, the Reddock Law Group of Los Angeles, specializing in workplace and Title IX discrimination, harassment, and sexual assault investigations.
For more information regarding resources for employers, businesses and employees during this time, connect with Angela on LinkedIn for new updates, or contact her here.
This communication is not legal advice. It is educational only. For legal advice, consult with an experienced employment law attorney in your state or city.