Two federal programs helping residents through the coronavirus pandemic with unemployment benefits are ending soon.
The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance and Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation programs both end Dec. 26, meaning residents can no longer claim benefits after that date.
Both PUA and PEUC are federal CARES Act programs. PEUC has been delivering up to 13 weeks of benefits after eligible residents go through their state benefits. PUA meanwhile, has provided benefits to residents not traditionally covered by unemployment insurance including self-employed people and religious, contract or gig workers.
This follows the end of the Extended Benefits program as announced just before Thanksgiving. The last payable week for residents with that program ends Saturday.
Acting Labor Secretary Ryan Wright is urging residents to call their members of Congress and ask them to extend the benefits. Residents can call the US Capitol switchboard at 202-224-3121 or reach out through email.
The Kansas Department of Labor says it has paid out over 3.2 million weekly claims totaling over $2.3 billion between regular and pandemic unemployment programs, but residents are still complaining about not getting the amounts they are owed. More information is online at www.GetKansasBenefits.gov.
