Trump’s $300 in Weekly Unemployment Benefits Extended to 6 Weeks

Unemployed U.S. workers who are banking on an extra $300 in federal jobless aid will now receive up to six weeks of benefits, double the three weeks initially guaranteed by FEMA, the government agency overseeing the relief.

Shortly after President Donald Trump signed an executive order last month authorizing the aid, FEMA said it was initially planning to provide three weeks of benefits. On Thursday, FEMA said it will provide payments “for a full six weeks,” based on current state spending rates as well as Department of Labor and state projections.

The extension of Lost Wages Assistance means that the typical unemployed worker will receive a total of $1,800 in extra jobless benefits under President Trump’s LWA plan, rather than $900.

South Dakota is the only state that declined to accept the funds, with its governor saying that most jobs lost during the pandemic have been recovered.