In addition, 96,198 workers, a figure not set for seasonality, filed claims under the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program, which provides benefits to those who are not eligible for regular state aid. , like the self-employed.
For millions of unemployed workers this means no more emergency aid.
“Today’s unemployment report also shows how short the elimination of pandemic unemployment benefits is,” said Andrew Stettner, a senior member of left-wing think tank The Century. Foundation. “Unemployed workers are facing a tsunami of hardships and suffering that they simply did not need to go through.”
In all, about 12 million Americans received benefits under various government programs in the week ending August 21st.
“In the coming weeks, seasonal hiring dynamics and the end of federal pandemic unemployment assistance are expected to affect initial unemployment benefit claims and the overall number of people receiving some form of unemployment benefit. unemployment insurance, ”said Joe Brusuelas, chief economist at RSM.
The August monthly report, released on September 3, was a major disappointment in relation to expectations, as the more contagious Delta variant continues to leave its mark on the recovering economy.