New unemployment benefits 2021: who will get extra payments from the stimulus bill?

Additional unemployment benefits will be extended until September 2021 under the terms of the new stimulus bill that passed the Senate on Saturday. The $1.9 trillion package would provide a $300-a-week federal boost, with the payments ending on 6 September.

There is also a new tax-free unemployment benefits allowance that will allow recipients with an annual household income of less than $150,000 to avoid paying tax on the first $10,200 that they receive.

Democrats are hopeful of getting the new bill signed into law before the 14 March, when the current federal funding expires. However there may still be an interruption in payment for recipients in some states because it can take weeks for the respective agencies to enact benefit extensions.

Other supplemental unemployment benefits also extended

The $300 weekly payments will be the most universally available unemployment support, but there is also federal funding for other groups.

The mixed-earner supplement is also extended until 6 September and will provide an extra $100 per week for those whose income is a mix of self-employed and wages paid by their employer. They are often given a lower state-issued unemployment benefit because their paid salary is lower.

There is also an extension to the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance programme, which covers the self-employed, gig workers, part-timers and others who are not able to receive regular unemployment benefits. The support for this group is available until 6 September as well and is capped at a cumulative total of 79 weeks, up from 50.

How to apply for unemployment benefits

To apply for the benefit payments you need to file a claim with the unemployment insurance programme in the state where you last worked. States have their own procedures for doing so, but can usually be filed in person, by telephone, or online.

Here’s some general tips to get started: