The uneven distribution of the aid is the result of politics and outdated computer systems. Some governors have hesitated to apply for the money, criticizing the program as too expensive because states must contribute $100 toward each payment. Other states are taking the money, but they say they need more time to get their archaic computers to spit out the checks.

In most cities, it’s very difficult to survive on unemployment benefits alone.
The gap is $3,211 a month in San Francisco, for example.
Workers in just 12 of 109 metro areas could pay for rent, food and transportation using state unemployment insurance, according to a recent analysis from Clever Real Estate.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued this statement after a 25-minute phone conversation with White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows about the need for another stimulus package:
“This conversation made clear that the White House continues to disregard the needs of the American people as the crisis devastates lives and livelihoods.

Dr. Chhoda provides an updated map of the $300/week unemployment benefits, plus some important news today.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said she will be talking Thursday with White House Chief of Staff Mark Meadows — but she downplayed chances for restarting stalled coronavirus relief talks.
“We’re not budging. … They’re just going to have to come up with more money,” Pelosi told reporters at her weekly news conference.

1. White House Economic Advisor comments: “We can lower income taxes, particularly for the middle class, and reform the tax code — probably take additional steps to help corporations.” He also cited tax credits for domestic firms.
2. Comments from House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy

More than 5 million people won’t get the $300 unemployment boost right now because they are in states that are still not getting the funds.
32 states had received federal approval to offer an extra $300 a week in unemployment benefits as of 12 noon ET today.

Meadows’s comments in a Politico Live event came a day after American Airlines said it would furlough or lay off some 19,000 workers starting in October unless the federal government steps in with billions more in relief for struggling airlines.

KEY COMMENTS FROM WHITE HOUSE CHIEF OF STAFF MARK MEADOWS:
There has been no contact with the speaker or with Chuck Schumer in the last couple of weeks since the negotiations broke down.
We haven’t had a conversation with Pelosi.

Once approved, states must modify their unemployment systems, determine who is eligible, ensure compliance with local laws before payments can begin. Arizona and Texas have begun and are sending out the extra unemployment benefit, while Alaska said it could take eight additional weeks to start paying out the $300/week (by which time the money will have run out).

According to a new report on Yahoo Money and unemployment benefits expert Michele Evermore, new unemployment requirements make it tougher for workers to qualify for the $300/week provided by the lost wages assistance (LWA) program.

To qualify for the LWA, jobless Americans will have to make at least $100 a week of unemployment benefits leaving many low-income earners out. People making under $100 per week account for 6% of unemployment insurance (UI) recipients and 4% of jobless individuals in Texas alone.