Early Evidence on the End of Expanded Federal Unemployment Benefits

7.30.21. Noah Williams. Beginning in May a number of states announced that they would be ending participation in the federal enhanced and expanded unemployment benefit programs instituted during the COVID-19 pandemic. In total, 26 states decided to end their participation in these programs before their scheduled expiration in September. Due to limited data, this report focuses on the first four states that ended benefits on June 12, and the additional eight states that ended them on June 19.