'What Will I Be Eating?': Unemployed New Yorkers Brace For Changes In Federal Unemployment Payments
NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) — At the end of the month, the $600 weekly federal unemployment benefits payments will end. Meantime, Republicans are at odds as another stimulus is being crafted.
Kimberlee Walker is an actor and now, a former museum educator.
"I found out yesterday that in addition to all the other part-time staff, I am no longer furloughed. I have been laid off," Walker said in an interview with CBS2's Aundrea Cline-Thomas.
She's among the more than 3 million New Yorkers making ends meet on unemployment. But the extra $600 a week payment from the federal government will expire at the end of the month.
"I will be making $400 a week with just regular unemployment, which I might be able to scrape that together and make that work, but what will I be eating?" said unemployed actor Jonathan Hoover.
On Thursday, Republican leaders will release the framework of a $1 trillion coronavirus relief bill. It comes as Senate Republicans remain at odds over spending. The package does not include a payroll tax cut that President Donald Trump supported, but allows supplemental payments to the unemployed, although it may be much less than before.
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"We are not going to pay people more to stay home than to work," said Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin. "So we're looking at something that looks like a 70% wage replacement."
Few jobs are available during a global pandemic. Now, the unemployed are having to make even tougher decisions.
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"If I am unable to pay my bills and to pay rent, that's another line of thinking I'm trying hard not to go too far into, but I know people that have left the city," said Walker.
They're hoping Congress strikes a deal soon that provides continued relief.