All of us have been affected in some way by the current health crisis, but those who have lost their jobs are struggling the most. If you’re wondering how you will make ends meet here in the state of Georgia, I’d like to quickly share some information that will hopefully help you navigate these difficult times.

Filing for Georgia Unemployment Benefits

Lawmakers have agreed to temporarily expand unemployment benefits. Those who are eligible include people who have been laid off, quit, or have been sent home but are not being paid.

Georgia officials are currently working on how to give benefits to freelancers, gig workers, and non-profit workers.

Those who apply on or after March 29th are eligible to receive up to $300 a week for 26 weeks.

If you are working less than 30 hours a week or are not working because your employer told you not to come to work, your employer is responsible for filing a partial unemployment claim for you.

> Visit the Georgia Department of Labor’s website to learn more about filing a claim and future updates.

You can also learn more by downloading our financial support guide.

Receiving a Stimulus Relief Check

To further assist people impacted by the crisis, a $2 trillion dollar federal relief bill was passed on Friday, March 27. Its purpose is to provide a one-time check to most Americans.

Here’s what to expect:

• Any adult earning $75,000 or less a year will receive as much as $1,200. Those who earn more than $75,000 but less than $99,000 a year will receive a proportionately reduced amount.
• Married couples who make less than $150,000 a year will receive as much as $2,400. Married couples making more than $150,000 but less than $198,000 a year will receive a proportionately reduced amount.
• Children will receive $500, except when a single parent makes more than $109,000 a year or a married couple makes more than $208,000 a year.

For those who are eligible, you should expect to receive a check sometime in April or May.

Staying Safe

Let’s continue doing all we can to reduce the number of people infected by washing our hands, disinfecting commonly touched items, and staying 6 feet or more apart from others when we have to go out for essential items.

Together, we can help slow the spread of the coronavirus.