The Missouri Department of Labor announced some people who applied for unemployment will receive their $600 federal pandemic unemployment payment this week.
The $600 is a federal supplement to unemployment benefits from the state for the next four months. It's a part of the CARES Act, which was a federal stimulus package intended to provide economic relief during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The CARES Act also expanded unemployment insurance to cover those who aren't able to work because of the virus. This includes independent contractors, gig workers and people who are sick or caring for a loved one.
Over 200,000 Missourians have applied for unemployment benefits since the middle of March. Around 91,000 claims were filed the week of March 29 alone. Missouri's Department of Labor said more than 84% of those claims were related to COVID-19.
To read more, visit our partners at the Columbia Missourian.
