The funds helping many Ohioans still out of work due to the coronavirus pandemic are set to expire at the end fo the week unless Congress passes a new law to extend or modify it. Back in late March, Congress approved the estimated $2 trillion CARES Act or Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act, which provided a flat $600 to anyone receiving state unemployment benefits for each complete week of unemployment. The aid was set to run from March 29th – July 31st.

Additionally, the legislation also created a Pandemic Unemployment Assitance program (PUA). This fund was established to aid individuals such as self-employed contractors typically indelible for regular unemployment benefits from the state while also including them to receive the $600 weekly payments.

It is expected that negotiations will take place in Congress ahead of their August recess to discuss potential extensions for the benefits. House Democrats seem to favor extending the payments through January while Senate Republicans see the funds as a disincentive for people to return to work.