Think Tank Report Raises Questions About Temporary Federal Unemployment Program

As federal lawmakers prepare to debate another coronavirus emergency package, the American Enterprise Institute (AEI) reports that the number of people apparently collecting Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits far exceeds — by nearly 6 million — the total number who have applied to get on the temporary benefits program.

Important decisions impacting employers will be made soon, including whether to extend the $600 per week federal bonus payments (which AEI says has resulted in five of six workers earning more in unemployment benefits than wages) . The think tank says that as options are weighed, “policymakers — and all Americans — deserve an accurate accounting of the number collecting these benefits.” 7/15/2020