ERIE (Erie News Now) – As delta variant cases continue to surge, federal pandemic unemployment benefits will expire on Saturday in Pennsylvania.
Starting next week, 558,000 Pennsylvanians will no longer receive an extra $300 a week in federal funding.
Regular unemployment will not be impacted, but those receiving benefits must continue to complete work-search requirements, which resumed in July.
According to Career Concepts President Marc Turner, those requirements are working.
The job placement agency is seeing more people getting back to work, since the requirement was reinstated.
“We’re seeing an uptick in activity,” said Turner. “I think in general, people are ready to get back to work.”
Turner says there are still 736 open jobs right now, which is close to a record high.
“The majority of our jobs are all temp-to-perm, meaning that employers are looking for long-term employees,” said Turner. “They are not looking for quick, temporary fills.”
The Biden Administration says states can choose to redirect other federal funds to extend jobless benefits beyond next week.
However, no state has announced plans to do that.
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