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This story focuses on three Washington, DC residents who are waiting for UI benefits. It also provides key details about the struggles some workers face during this crisis, including:
* Economic insecurity
* Unsafe workplaces
* High housing costs
* Lack of alternative support 1/ https://twitter.com/JStein_WaPo/status/1289742437854916608
* Economic insecurity
* Unsafe workplaces
* High housing costs
* Lack of alternative support 1/ https://twitter.com/JStein_WaPo/status/1289742437854916608
Workers were seriously struggling before COVID. Vought had little savings. In recent years, he was sleeping on friends’ couches and in his car. Rollins only had $500 in savings. Kennerly had recently sold his house to avoid foreclosure and was living with a relative. 2/
Housing costs in some locations are high. Vought paid $800/month for a single room. Rollins pays $1,297/month for her apartment. Kennerly had to give up his home and now he cannot afford the up-front cost to rent an apartment. 3/
Workplaces are unsafe. Rollins left her job at Whole Foods after the 6th person had contracted COVID all the way back in April. 4/
The article does not mention SNAP, WIC, Medicaid, food banks, or stimulus checks. None of those interviewed paid rent before receiving benefits, but they still felt compelled to closely ration food and were unaware of housing options if evicted, besides family or a shelter. 5/
Simple errors cause UI delays. Rollins and Kennerly both made errors on their applications. Kennerly was approved for expedited benefits, but the email got lost in his spam folder. Vought apparently didn't hear back for 3.5 months and needed to apply to a different program. 6/
Many people are getting their benefits and doing well. The article briefly alludes to the fact that Rollins knew several other people who applied for and received unemployment benefits. She said, “I see everyone else is thriving but what about me?” 7/
Thoughts:
1. Low-wage workers were vulnerable before COVID. They need >100% wage replacement.
2. Delays are inevitable. Unemployed workers need assistance to cover waiting periods.
3. Some people might need help identifying and successfully applying for all available aid.
1. Low-wage workers were vulnerable before COVID. They need >100% wage replacement.
2. Delays are inevitable. Unemployed workers need assistance to cover waiting periods.
3. Some people might need help identifying and successfully applying for all available aid.
