$600 Federal Coronavirus Benefit Ends Soon, PA Offers Assistance

PENNSYLVANIA — While the additional $600 federal coronavirus benefit could end in the coming days, Pennsylvania is picking up the slack.

State residents are eligible to apply for additional assistance through several programs in the Department of Labor and Industry and Department of Human Services, officials said.

The Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation funding will expire on July 25 if it is not extended at the federal level.

“The additional unemployment funds have been a lifeline that, in many cases, may be keeping people financially stable and able to meet essential needs despite losing employment,” DHS Secretary Teresa Miller said in a statement. “Without this income, people may not be able to make ends meet."

Miller added that the additional programs "exist to ease difficult times." Some of these programs include medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Child Care Works, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF).

The state has additionally received approval to provide benefits created specifically due to the coronavirus pandemic. Such programs offer assistance paying for home energy bills, utilities, and other essential needs. It's available through Aug. 30.

Pennsylvanians can learn more about benefits and apply online here.

It's possible the federal coronavirus program will not expire, officials added, but if the "important lifeline" is cut off, the state wants residents to know they won't be left without options.

The state has helped disburse more than $13.8 billion from that program to unemployed Pennsylvanians since the pandemic began.