In a historic expansion of unemployment insurance, the federal government would give jobless workers an extra $600 a week on top of their state benefits for four months as part of the $2 trillion stimulus deal lawmakers agreed to early Wednesday.
"It has unemployment insurance on steroids," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said Tuesday of the package. "But, and most importantly, the federal government will pay your salary, your full salary for now four months."
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While the extra money in the deal wouldn't fully replace the lost wages of some higher-paid workers, it would significantly add to everyone's regular state benefits, which range from $200 to $550 a week, on average, depending on the state.
The massive boost in unemployment insurance, which is projected to cost about $250 billion, comes as the coronavirus pandemic wreaks havoc on the US economy. More than 3 million people are believed to have filed for first-time jobless benefits last week as governors around the country shut down most non-essential businesses in their states, according to some projections.
"The generosity of this benefit is unprecedented," said Michele Evermore, senior policy analyst at the National Employment Law Project. "Because this situation is so different, we have to break all the rules."
In addition to the enhanced checks, lawmakers want to add up to 13 weeks of extended benefits, which would be fully covered by the federal government. Currently, state unemployment checks last up to between 12 weeks and 28 weeks, depending on the state. Most states provide up to half a year of benefits.
Plus, the deal calls for a new pandemic unemployment assistance program, which would provide jobless benefits to independent contractors, gig economy workers and the self-employed, who typically don't qualify for such assistance. These benefits would mirror what's available in an individual's state.
The legislation would also assist those who have had their hours reduced by providing incentives to states to adopt work-sharing programs, which allow employers to cut workers' hours but not lay them off. Those workers are then eligible for some unemployment benefits. Some 27 states, plus the District of Columbia, already have work-sharing laws in place.
Furloughed workers typically qualify for unemployment assistance so they would receive all the enhanced benefits under the stimulus package.
But part-time employees are only eligible for unemployment in certain states. It's unclear what aid the Senate deal would provide part-time workers, Evermore said.
The Senate's stimulus package follows one passed last week that provided states with $1 billion in administrative funding to run their programs, many of which have been overwhelmed by the crush of people filing for first-time benefits. The prior package also covers states' share of the extended jobless benefits program.
The surge in coronavirus-related layoffs has also prompted many states to expand who qualifies for benefits, extending assistance to those who lose their wages because they are sick or quarantined, caring for an ill family member or home because their children's schools have closed.
The unemployment provisions in the Senate package would expire at the end of the year.