Expanded jobless benefits will continue into August

Maryland’s labor secretary testified Monday that federal enhanced unemployment benefits will continue at least through August during a hearing related to lawsuits seeking the continuation of the benefits. News outlets report that Labor Secretary Tiffany Robinson told a Baltimore judge that the benefits, including supplemental $300 weekly payments, will continue because the federal government requires 30 days’ notice to opt out. The Biden administration notified Robinson that if an injunction forcing Maryland to continue the programs is denied, the state must go through the 30-day period again. A temporary restraining order barring the state from following through on its plans is set to expire Tuesday. The judge is expected to decide whether to extend that order by Tuesday morning.

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