Copyright: Bennian
Following the collapse of negotiations between the Trump Administration and Congress to provide additional COVID-19 relief, President Trump on August 8 issued a presidential memoranda designed to help states continue to provide individuals a portion of the $600 in additional weekly unemployment benefits that lapsed at the end of July.
Under the directive, states have until September 10 to apply to access Federal funds to provide unemployed individuals with an additional $300 per week. States also have the option of using CARES Act funding to provide unemployed individuals an additional $100 in weekly benefits. It is estimated that the states that apply for aid will receive Federal funds sufficient to provide three weeks of benefits, but additional weeks are possible depending on how many states participate.
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), as of August 25, 30 states are approved to participate: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, and Washington. South Dakota has indicated it will not apply to participate. Additional information regarding the program can be found here: https://www.fema.gov/fact-sheet/lost-wages-assistance-approved-states
While NMHC supports additional COVID-19 relief legislation that would, among other priorities, provide an extension of enhanced unemployment benefits and rental assistance, negotiations between the Trump Administration and Congress remain at a standstill. Congress is not currently set to reconvene until September 8 when the Senate returns to session. The House is next slated to be in Washington beginning September 14. At this point, it is unclear whether policymakers will be able to move forward legislatively on COVID-19 legislation next month. NMHC will continue to aggressively advocate for assistance to renters burdened by the COVID-19 crisis.
Additional information on NMHC’s priorities for COVID-19 relief can be found on the NMHC COVID-19 Advocacy page.
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