Florida ends $ 300 federal unemployment compensation payments for pandemic in June

Florida will end a federal payment of $ 300 a week for the unemployed beginning in June, the state’s Department of Economic Opportunity announced last month.
The federal pandemic unemployment compensation program’s supplemental payment will end on June 26, the department said.
The announcement comes after the department said April labor statistics showed private sector employment increased by 18,800 jobs and more than 460,000 online job postings available statewide.
“The reason is simple: We have more than half a million job openings in the state of Florida,” said Governor Ron DeSantis.
Recipients have been able to receive the federal benefit of $ 300 in addition to their regular state unemployment assistance. The payment, which will last nationwide through Sept. 6, was included in President Joe Biden’s $ 1.9 billion financial rescue package.
Eliminating the $ 300 a week payment is one of several steps states have taken to restrict or eliminate unemployment assistance and pressure more beneficiaries to look for work.
“Every time benefits are eliminated, it is a difficult decision, but in this case, I think it is absolutely the right decision,” said Scott Shalley, president and CEO of the Florida Retail Federation.
Shalley’s organization supported the decision to cut the expanded federal benefit early. He says he has heard from wholesalers and retailers, large and small, about the challenges they face when hiring.
“Every day I hear from employers, from the largest to the smallest, that they all share this same challenge and it is certainly not unique to one industry,” Shalley said.
The most recent employment data from the Department of Economic Opportunity shows that the state’s unemployment rate in April was lower than the national average, but Miami-Dade County’s unemployment rate was higher than any other county in April with 6.9%.
Andrew Stettner of The Century Foundation’s progressive think tank says South Florida could be hit the hardest by this benefit cut.
“If you are unemployed, can you make ends meet?” Stettner said.
He points out that since Florida’s unemployment benefits are some of the lowest in the country, a cut in supplemental federal aid could have a big impact.
“In terms of dollars and cents for Florida alone, it could be another $ 1.5 billion that doesn’t flow to families. And let’s remember, this is 100% federal funding, ”Stettner said.
It also says the ad puts unemployed people on a timeline for finding employment.

Florida will be ending a $300-a-week federal payment for the unemployed starting this June, the state’s Department of Economic Opportunity announced last month.
The supplemental Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program payment will end June 26, the department said.
The announcement comes after the department said April labor statistics showed private sector employment increased by 18,800 jobs and more than 460,000 online job postings available throughout the state.
“The reason is simple: we have over half a million job openings in the state of Florida,” Gov. Ron DeSantis said.
Recipients have been able to receive the $300 federal benefit on top of their regular state unemployment aid. The payment, which lasts nationwide until Sept. 6, was included in President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion financial rescue package.
Eliminating the $300-a-week payment is one of several measures that states have taken to restrict or eliminate jobless aid and press more recipients to seek work.
“Any time you take away benefits, it’s a difficult decision, but in this case, I think it’s absolutely the right decision,” said Scott Shalley, the president and CEO of the Florida Retail Federation.
Shalley’s organization came out in support of the decision to cut the expanded federal benefit early. He says he has heard from retailers, big and small, about the challenges they are facing hiring staff.
“Every day I hear from retailers, from the biggest of the big boxes to the small mainstream, to the smaller stores, and everyone is sharing in this same challenge and it is certainly not unique to one sector,” Shalley said
The most recent employment data from the Department of Economic Opportunity shows the state’s unemployment rate in April was lower than the national average, but Miami-Dade County’s unemployment rate was higher than any other county in April at 6.9%.
Andrew Stettner, with the progressive think tank The Century Foundation, says South Florida could be impacted greater by this benefit cut.
“If you are on unemployment, are you able to make ends meet?” Stettner said.
He points out with Florida’s state unemployment benefits being some of the lowest in the country, a cut of the supplemental federal aid could have a big impact.
“In terms of dollars and cents to Florida alone, it could be another one and half billion dollars that doesn’t flow to families. And let’s remember, this is 100% federal funding,” Stettner said.
He also says the announcement puts unemployed people on a timetable to find employment.

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