What the passage of the COVID-19 relief package means for mid-Missourians

COLUMBIA, Mo. (KMIZ)

Now that President Donald Trump has signed the $900 billion pandemic relief package, mid-Missourians will continue to see additional pandemic unemployment benefits through part of the new year.

However, the new bill will cut the original benefits in half, going from $600 to $300 per week.

The plan is for this money to be available to unemployed workers for 11 weeks extending through March of 2021.

Since Trump did not sign the bill until Sunday, there will likely be a lapse in unemployment benefits for millions of Americans, including mid-Missourians.

The Columbia Chamber of Commerce outlined how this bill will benefit local businesses and people who have been struggling to make ends meet during the pandemic.

This includes the $300 weekly check, a $600 stimulus check for most adults, and an extra $600 for dependents.

Trump is still working to increase the benefits to $2000 for Americans. The Democratic-led House supports the larger checks and is set to vote on the issue on Monday.