Extension of pandemic jobless aid kicks in for South Carolina

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WRDW/WAGT) - The Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program extension is now active in South Carolina.

Over the weekend, the state Department of Employment and Workforce began issuing payments to claimants who’d exhausted their 39 weeks provided through the CARES Act.

The extension made available through the Continued Assistance for Unemployed Workers Act will provide 11 more weeks of benefits.

This raises the maximum number of weeks of Pandemic Unemployment Assistance benefits from 39 to 50. People receiving benefits as part of this extension will also get the $300 Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation in addition to their weekly benefit amount.

Eligible claimants’ funds were backdated to ensure they received benefits for both the Jan. 2 and Jan. 9 claim weeks.