GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – For Joseph Prestley, it was six dollars less an hour.
“And that’s the difference, for some people being able to afford their apartment or not,” the Suamico resident told FOX 11.
Laid off from his job due to the coronavirus pandemic, Prestley became eligible for unemployment benefits last year.
Between state and federal unemployment benefits, he was still making less than his hourly wage at his previous job, which forced him to move back home with his parents.
He says it could be worse.
“Imagine you’re a single mother or single father and you expect that certain income,” said Prestley.
But as the country seems to climb its way out of the pandemic, employers and lawmakers say the need for unemployment benefits is dwindling, and jobs are hiring.
Republican Congressman Mike Gallagher pushed the National Signing Bonus Act.
Friday, which would allow states to take the federal addition to unemployment insurance, and convert that money into signing bonuses for new hires.
To be eligible, people would have to verify new and continued employment by July 4 of this year.
“It would be made in two payments,” Gallagher explained. “The first payment would be made after an individual can verify four weeks of unemployment, and the second payment will be made after an individual completes at least eight weeks of employment.”
The payments rack up to $1,212 each.
Local big name employers at Friday’s announcement say it incentivizes work.
“The enhanced federal unemployment served a great purpose last year. It had a time and a place and it helped many people,” offered Tom Abrahamson, KI Manufacturing vice president. “But as many people know the economy has come roaring back very, very quickly.”
As for the potential impact on those looking for work though, that’s not as clear.
Prestley recently found new a job and is no longer getting unemployment benefits.
He says he couldn’t imagine what he’d do if the federal supplements had suddenly ended.
“That’s not a livable wage,” said Prestley. “I mean, even in Green Bay where apartments are cheap, you can’t afford anything with that.”
But for now the bill is just a proposal– and has to pass several steps before becoming law.
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