TAMPA, Fla. — President Donald Trump's signature of the COVID-19 relief package extends unemployment benefits for millions of unemployed Americans.
The unemployment benefits one Tampa mother was receiving, since the beginning of the pandemic has been keeping her family of four afloat. Now she’ll be able to continue receiving it.
While waiting for Trump to approve the relief bill, Kristin Turner’s pandemic unemployment assistance expired the day after Christmas.
Turner works in childcare and her center shut down back in March. Her family of four, have been surviving on the income of her husband and the little bit of unemployment benefits she receives.
Without it, they don’t know if they’ll be able to make ends meet.
“Luckily we’ve been able to pay rent, now rent’s due in a few days and we’re kind of like we’re not sure,” said Kristin Turner.
Turner said they were looking forward to having the bill's passing. She tells ABC Action News her family desperately needs the continued assistance.
“I just need a little more time. I understand that it’s not the most perfect bill. There are flaws in it, but at least make it a bridge, a stepping stone, to get to the next one. And maybe the next one will be better, but just to extend this will help my family immensely,” Turner said.
The millions of people in two key pandemic unemployment programs, will now have benefits for another 11 weeks.