How to apply for unemployment benefits during coronavirus pandemic in the US
As Covid-19 hits the United States economy, a record 6.6 million Americans sought unemployment benefits last week.
Many people have lost their jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic in the United States and they are all waiting for government aid that already was approved by president Donald Trump on 27 March. While the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) works on implementing the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act, individuals can apply for unemployment to provide much needed support to American workers and their families.
Last week a record 6.6 million Americans sought unemployment benefits as the new coronavirus struck the United States economy. The large number of claims was double the 3.3 million who sought benefits two weeks ago as the US shut down parts of the economy in an effort to contain the virus.
How can you apply for unemployment benefits?
Trump’s administration is allowing all the states to change their laws in order to help people who have lost their job due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Rules change depending on the state but in the majority of the cases the person had to be laid off due to businesses shutting down and constantly looking for work during the pandemic.
In order for all part-time employees, independent contractors and workers to qualify for unemployment, Trump's administration has created the Pandemic Unemployment Act. The amount that people will be receiving every two weeks is between $250 to $550.