Jobless claims jump to 965,000 as COVID-19 pandemic takes toll

The number of people seeking unemployment aid soared last week to 965,000, the most since late August and evidence that the resurgent virus has caused a spike in layoffs.

Biden eyes child tax credit expansion among stimulus measures: Report

President-elect Joe Biden is imminently expected to outline his plans for additional stimulus measures as the U.S. battles surging COVID-19 cases.

IRS and Treasury to stop sending stimulus checks this week

Legislation providing for the $600 payments, which was approved by lawmakers at the end of last month, stipulated that the departments needed to issue all payments by Friday.

Taxes on unemployment money coming due soon, surprising many

Many California jobseekers are confused about withholding taxes on their unemployment checks, and many more report that they simply can’t afford to put aside any money when they don’t have enough to begin with.

Schumer pledges quick delivery of $2,000 stimulus checks: 'We will get that done'

Senate Democrats plan to make another coronavirus relief package — including sending an additional stimulus payment to many Americans — one of their top priorities for the year once they assume control of the chamber.

Unemployment continues to hurt low-income workers amid pandemic

Ten months into America’s viral outbreak, low-income workers are still bearing the brunt of job losses — an unusual and harsh feature of the pandemic recession that flattened the economy last spring.

Wisconsin COVID-19 relief bill about more than money

The bill would make $100 million available to help fight COVID-19. However, many of the 44 provisions in the bill have nothing to do with money.

US lost 140,000 jobs in December; first monthly loss since spring

U.S. employers shed jobs last month for the first time since April, cutting 140,000 positions, clear evidence that the economy is faltering as the viral pandemic tightens its grip on consumers and businesses.

Jobless claims slip to still-high 787,000 in the US

The number of Americans seeking unemployment aid fell slightly to 787,000, evidence of a job market stumbling in the face of the viral pandemic and the damage it has inflicted on the economy for nearly 10 months.

Federal checks salvage otherwise dreadful 2020 for US farms

Farmers faced challenges throughout the year, including the impact of trade disputes, weather difficulties and low prices that drove down cash receipts.

Unemployment benefit claims unexpectedly fall as coronavirus lockdowns widen

The number of Americans filing for first-time unemployment benefits fell last week amid a rise in COVID-19 infections and new restrictions aimed at slowing the spread of the disease.

McConnell blocks immediate Democratic push for $2,000 stimulus checks

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell on Tuesday blocked Democrats' push to immediately bring President Donald Trump's demand for bigger $2,000 COVID-19 relief checks up for a vote.

McConnell praises Trump for signing COVID-19, government funding bills

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell praised President Trump late Sunday for signing a $900 billion pandemic package and a $1.4 trillion government funding bill to avert a government shutdown.

'It does break my heart a little bit': A bleak Christmas for America's unemployed

Millions of Americans have been jobless since the viral pandemic ripped through the U.S. economy in March, triggering a deep recession and causing widespread unemployment.

House Dems will try to pass $2,000 stimulus checks this week after Trump signals support

House Democrats are planning to force a vote this week on increasing the size of the stimulus checks included in the $900 billion coronavirus relief package after President Trump demanded Congress raise the payments from $600 to $2,000 per adult.

Layoffs remain elevated as 803,000 seek unemployment aid

The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell by 89,000 last week to a still-elevated 803,000, evidence that the job market remains under stress nine months after the coronavirus outbreak sent the U.S. economy into recession and caused millions of layoffs.

Trump asks Congress to amend $900B COVID-19 relief bill, increase stimulus checks to $2,000

The bill that was passed by Congress establishes a temporary $300 per week supplemental jobless benefit and a $600 direct stimulus payment to most Americans, but President Donald Trump said he wants lawmakers to increase the check amounts to $2,000 per person or $4,000 for married couples.