NEW EXECUTIVE ACTION Unemployment Extension UPDATE FPUC PUA Unemployment Benefit SSI

If you’re not familiar, the legal battle is over enhanced unemployment benefits of $300 a week as well as more availability to self-employed workers. Both of these things are a huge benefit to most of the unemployed in Maryland. Well, those unemployed residents will have to wait a bit longer to learn the fate of their benefits, because the hearing for the case has been postponed until Monday. Lawyers representing unemployed residents will meet in court on Monday with Governor Larry Hogan who wants to pull out of the federal benefits program. Hogan believes the benefits are what is keeping many residents from going out and finding work, because it is often more than what employers are willing to pay. But supporters of the benefits disagree, saying that that recovery has been different from state to state. Roxie Herbekian, president of the hospitality union explained, “What we’re seeking with this lawsuit is that people just get their benefits through the federal program till September 6, to give them some time to get recalled to work or to find another job.” With any luck, on Monday the case will finally reach a conclusion and the state will be able to move forward with one plan or another, but for now, we just have to wait and see…