Biden touts economic recovery plan as Treasury Dept. starts paying out $350B in state and local aid

President Biden on Monday announced steps to make it easier for employers to hire new workers and touted the country’s economic recovery plan following a disappointing April jobs report.

Chamber of Commerce calls for end to enhanced jobless aid

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is calling for Washington to immediately stop paying out-of-work Americans an extra $300 a week in unemployment benefits, saying the boost in government aid is giving some recipients less incentive to look for work.

Biden says economic recovery a marathon, not a sprint amid weak jobs report

U.S. employers added just 266,000 jobs last month, sharply lower than in March and a sign that some businesses are struggling to find enough workers.

In new pandemic low, unemployment numbers fall to 498,000

The number of Americans seeking unemployment aid fell last week to 498,000, the lowest point since the viral pandemic struck 14 months ago and a sign of the job market’s growing strength as businesses reopen and consumers step up spending.

Unemployment claims fall to 553,000

The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits dropped by 13,000 last week to 553,000, the lowest level since the pandemic hit last March and another sign the economy is recovering from the coronavirus recession.

Unemployment claims fall to 547,000, a new pandemic low

The number of Americans applying for unemployment aid fell last week to 547,000, a new low since the pandemic struck and a further encouraging sign that layoffs are slowing on the strength of an improving job market.

Unemployment claims fall to 576,000, lowest since COVID-19 pandemic began

The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits fell sharply last week to 576,000, a hopeful sign that layoffs are easing as the economy recovers from the pandemic recession.

Unemployment claims jump to 744,000 as layoffs persist amid pandemic

The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose last week to 744,000, signaling that many employers are still cutting jobs.

156 million coronavirus relief payments issued, Treasury says

The Treasury Department says it has issued more than 156 million payments as part of President Joe Biden’s coronavirus relief plan.

Hiring ramps up as US adds 916K jobs in March

America’s employers unleashed a burst of hiring in March, adding 916,000 jobs in a sign that a sustained recovery from the pandemic recession is taking hold.

Unemployment claims climb to 719,000; COVID-19 pandemic still forces layoffs

The number of Americans applying for unemployment benefits rose by 61,000 last week to 719,000, signaling that many employers are still cutting jobs even as more businesses reopen, vaccines are increasingly administered and federal aid spreads through the economy.

Unemployment claims fall to 684,000, fewest since start of pandemic

The number of people seeking unemployment benefits fell sharply last week to 684,000, the fewest since the pandemic erupted a year ago and a sign the economy is improving.

Stimulus checks: IRS says next batch of payments will be disbursed in coming days

Officials from the IRS and U.S. Treasury said Monday the next batch of COVID-19 stimulus payments will start hitting bank accounts later this week. Mailed checks will start going out as well.

IRS warns start of child tax credit program could be delayed

Under the law, known as the American Rescue Plan, most American parents can expect to receive $3,000 for every child ages 6 to 17 and $3,600 for every child under age 6.

IRS says unemployed workers can likely claim $10,200 tax break without filing amended return

The IRS is planning to automatically process refunds for out-of-work Americans who received unemployment benefits last year and filed their 2020 returns before a new law waived federal taxes on the first $10,200 in aid.

$1,400 stimulus checks can be seized by private collectors for unpaid debts

Debt collectors will be able to garnish the third round of cash payments that are expected to be delivered to Americans by the end of the month as part of Democrats' $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan.

Layoffs ease as unemployment claims drop to 712,000

The number of Americans seeking unemployment benefits fell last week to 712,000, the lowest total since early November.

House passes $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill, Biden expected to sign on Friday

The House passed the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief bill, which includes $1,400 stimulus checks for many Americans. The bill now goes to President Joe Biden’s desk to be signed into law in his first major legislative win.