Federally enhanced unemployment benefits are expected to begin shipping again in a few weeks, this time at 300 dollars on top of state payments instead of the previous 600 dollars.
There’s a requirement that states pay at least 100 dollars in state benefits to unlock the extra 300 from the federal government. Senator Bill Cassidy says Louisiana’s unemployed qualify under that requirement.
“Louisiana already pays over 100 dollars to someone who is on the unemployment rolls,” says Cassidy.
State recipients receive 247 dollars max a week from Louisiana unemployment benefits. The 600 dollar a week benefits expired at the end of July.
The new round of federal unemployment is the result of a recent executive order by President Trump. Cassidy says for relief like another stimulus check, they’ll need Congress to reach an agreement, but he’s not optimistic about their chances.
“The talks have broken down and I am not really sure there are going to be good faith efforts to restart,” says Cassidy.
