COVID-19 and the Economy

A hopeful view is gaining steam that as vaccinations reach a critical mass, perhaps around midyear, and the government provides further stimulus, the economy and the job market will strengthen much faster than they did after previous recessions.

The Texas Health and Human Service Commission is providing about $300 million in emergency Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program food benefits.

President Joe Biden has met with a group of Republican senators who have proposed a slimmed down $618 billion coronavirus aid package, about a third of what he's seeking.

Ten Senate Republicans wrote Biden in a letter released Sunday asking him to meet them at the negotiating table, highlighting their less-costly counterproposal.

Americans can claim any missing money from their stimulus checks when they file their 2020 tax return.

The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell to a historically high 847,000 last week, a sign that layoffs remain high as the coronavirus pandemic continues to rage.

A Texas high school runs its own grocery store so students and their families could get food and other necessities during the pandemic. Instead of money, they accept good deeds as payment. Now the store has expanded to help over 100 families in their community who are in need.

The California eviction moratorium currently expires on January 31. Some people are losing housing despite the moratorium, and others who can't pay are harassed by landlords.

The federal government has delivered two stimulus checks to tens of millions of Americans as part of an effort to blunt the economic pain triggered by the coronavirus pandemic, but many are wondering how the payments could affect your 2020 taxes as filing season approaches.

Some who are still waiting for the money to arrive will need to file a tax return in order to receive the money.

During his announcement of the “American Rescue Plan,” President-elect Joe Biden pushed for the minimum wage in the United States to be raised to at least $15 an hour.

On Monday, Biden maintained that getting money into the hands of Americans is a top priority when he takes office.

Legislation providing for the $600 payments, which was approved by lawmakers at the end of last month, stipulated that the departments needed to issue all payments by Friday.