RICHMOND, Va. – Increased federal unemployment benefits officially expired on Saturday and many Virginians have received them after being fired during the pandemic.
“It’s been very difficult this past year and a lot of questions and concerns,” Lorrene Dobb said.
Lorene Dobb reflected on the difficulties of the last 16 months, after being unemployed due to the pandemic.
“I’m self-employed and I’m a hairdresser,” Dobb explained. “So it’s been hard to do that much when working with someone.”
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Dobb said he spent nearly a year and a half trying to claim unemployment benefits from the Virginia Employment Commission. Then, after months of legal assistance, he recently received his claims.
“I do not know what I would do without it. And it’s been a big help, “Dobb said.” He needed her. And it’s good to know that if you know you’re working hard on something, it will pay off. “
But with the completion of the extra benefits, Dobb said she was forced to leave her home.
“So I’m in full swing. And I don’t know how to stop it and reverse it right now,” Dobb said.
As long as federal unemployment benefits end, state benefits will continue. Now litigation experts are offering this advice to those who depended on federal unemployment benefits.
“If you have a state benefit claim, follow your weekly claims and keep looking for work. And if you get a suitable job, take it and understand that this will not affect your entitlement to overdue benefits you have applied for and that you have filed weekly claims, “Martin Wegbreit, director of litigation at the Central Virginia Legal Aid Society.
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Meanwhile, for small business owners, experts believe that ending additional unemployment will help companies struggling to hire new workers.
“Hopefully with unemployment benefits coming to an end this weekend, they will see more people applying for more people appearing in interviews,” Nicole Riley told the National Federation of Independent Businesses. “And, you know, frankly, it’s just that it’s a very hot time as an employee looking for a new job or a new job, maybe even a new career.”
RELATED: Are There More Workers Applying for Jobs When Improved Unemployment Benefits End?
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Dobb is optimistic that things will get better and that she will soon find a new job.
“I just hope everything that goes on is a lot smoother than it has been for the last 16 months,” Dobb said.