Unemployment Benefits Fell Below Poverty Line in 13 States
According to a new report released by the Government Accountability Office (GAO), 13 states have allowed unemployment benefits to fall below the poverty level of $245 a week or $12,760 per year, a change that has occurred since the federal program providing $600 per week in supplemental benefits expired in July. In addition to the drop in unemployment benefits, the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program, which has provided support to gig economy and self-employed workers, has seen a significant decline; these benefits fell below poverty levels in 29 of the 41 states that reported data. PUA and other special CARES Act programs are set to expire on December 31 unless Congress passes additional relief measures.