(WWJ/AP) President Donald Trump signed a $900 billion COVID-19 relief bill Sunday night, averting a federal shutdown and extending unemployment benefits for millions of Americans.
700,000 Michiganders receive the unemployment benefits, according to the Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency (UIA)
However, officials with the Labor and Economic Opportunity Agency warn the benefits may not come as quickly as needed or wanted.
"There will be a delay in benefits for those currently enrolled in federal benefit programs (PUA and PEUC). The UIA will work as quickly as possible to implement the extensions of the programs...." they state in a note on the state's official website.
They did not specify how long the delay would be.
They urge Michiganders not to call their office, but to check their website instead for the most up-to-date information.
You can get the most up-to-date information from the State of Michigan here.
Here are some highlights of the bill:
-The Pandemic and Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) and Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) will be paid out through March 14
-An extra $300 per week for people receiving unemployment benefits
-$600 direct payments to individuals making up to $75,000 per year
-$1,200 for couples making up to $150,000 per year and $600 additional payments per dependent child.
Evictions will also be delayed until at least the end of January. Detroit needs at least $14 million in funding to pay overdue rental payments, per the executive director of the United Community Housing Coalition. Thousands of landlord-tenant cases are waiting to be heard in the city
The bill provides $284 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program; $69 billion for vaccines, testing and health providers; $82 billion to schools and universities; $10 billion to the postal service; $26 billion in food and farm aid, and $25 billion in rental assistance.
