This map lets you compare how the proposed unemployment extensions would impact weekly payments in your state
- Federal unemployment benefits officially lapsed on Friday, and lawmakers continue talks to negotiate an extension but have yet to come to an agreement.
- A new interactive map from the US Chamber of Commerce lets you compare the impact of each proposal on your state and its unemployment benefits.
- Every proposed plan has a weekly supplement, ranging from $400-$600.
- States with the highest increase of coronavirus cases might see the biggest drop in unemployment benefits.
As federal employment benefits officially run out, the US Chamber of Commerce released an interactive map that will show users what their unemployment benefits would look like for each proposed plan.
On Thursday, Senate Democrats blocked a GOP proposal that would've continued federal benefits but would have cut the $600 bonus to $200. The Senate Democrats proposal had a $3 trillion stimulus and continued the $600 benefit until January 2021.
Earlier this week, the HEALS Act was announced by the GOP, which cuts back unemployment benefits by 44% during the first two months the $200 supplement would be in place. States seeing the largest surge in coronavirus cases would be the same states to see benefits slashed the most.
Negotiations around the proposals have continued into the weekend, but an agreement has not been reached.
But while the talks continue, people can use the interactive map from the US Chamber of Commerce to examine the impact of all three proposals, along with what unemployment benefits would look like at the state-only level.
The three proposals listed on the website are as follows;
- The Senate Republican Proposal: 70% income replacement with a $500 supplement cap. The $200 benefit is still on the table as well.
- US Chamber of Commerce Proposal: 80%-90% income replacement with a $400 supplement cap.
- House Democrat Proposal: $600 supplement stays in place.
Republicans have been firm about lowering the $600 weekly bonus to $200, saying that $600 is too high and discourages people from working, though a recent Yale study found no evidence the weekly payments decreased employment.
The average unemployment check is $378 a week, according to CNBC. The $600 supplement allowed those who were receiving benefits to live comfortably while still looking for employment.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was scheduled to meet with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, and White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows to further discuss extending unemployment benefits.