Skip to content
Navigating a New Political Landscape: View real-time updates about the impact of and Northeastern’s response to recent political changes.
Apply
Stories

Here’s what could happen if the U.S. suspends federal pandemic unemployment benefits

People in this story

(AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh, File)

President Donald Trump on Saturday issued several executive actions meant to bypass a stalemate in Congress over the details of another economic stimulus package for people and businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The measures are likely to face legal and fiscal challenges, and are designed only as a stopgap until Congress can agree on a financial package. Hanging in the balance is the pandemic unemployment benefit—and cutting it permanently could spell disaster for the country’s economy, says Northeastern economist William Dickens.

“It’s a disaster waiting to happen,” says Dickens, university distinguished professor of economics and social policy.

The existing stimulus package expired at the end of July, meaning that the more than 31 million people in the U.S. who are unemployed as a result of the pandemic are starting their second week of drastically slimmer checks. One of the sticking points for legislators has been whether to reinstate the federally funded $600-per-week COVID unemployment benefit, and if so, how much to allot. 

Continue reading at News@Northeastern.

More Stories

A sign is posted outside an election site in the Borough Park section of the Brooklyn borough of New York, Nov. 4, 2014. The sign reads

English has been declared the official language of the United States. What does this mean?

03.20.2025
Traffic slowly moves along Interstate 405 on Thursday, May 23, 2024, in the Bel Air section of Los Angeles. Highways and airports are likely to be jammed in the coming days as Americans head out on and home from Memorial Day weekend getaways. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

How cities can cut transportation emissions. New Northeastern research reveals key strategies

03.20.2025
Comedian and Comic Author Alison Bechdel poses before her lecture at Northeastern University.

Northeastern community celebrates power of truth and comics with legendary cartoonist Alison Bechdel

03.20.25
All Stories