CHARLOTTE, N.C. — South Carolina is one of 25 states ending federal pandemic unemployment benefits.
Some say it will help combat the labor shortage, while others argue it's not that simple.
Let's connect the dots.
All federal unemployment benefits in South Carolina will end on Saturday and that means everything will go back to how it was before the pandemic.
So what exactly is changing? The big one is those extra $300 weekly payments will disappear. Unemployment benefits will also no longer be able to go past 20 weeks. Gov. Henry McMaster says he hopes this move will help fill job openings.
"Right now, I have just enough staff," said Kevin Cooper, manager of Danny's Pizza in Rock Hill. "But if anybody gets sick or calls off, we have problems meeting the needs of our customers on a daily basis.”
Businesses across the country are struggling to find workers, but opponents argue that money alone wasn't to blame for the worker shortage and now the state is taking away money from some who really need it.
Emily Price with Rock Hill nonprofit Pilgrim's Inn says the organization is already preparing for what could be an influx of people needing help.
“We're certain that we’re going to be affected," Price said.
Pilgrim's Inn offers assistance with shelter, childcare and food. Price worries these are all things families will need after additional benefits go away.
“We are minding what we have, we are checking expiration dates – things that we know can hold on a little bit longer, we’re shifting," Price said. "We're working our process to be prepared for what we have seen in the past and what we know is going to happen.”
Wake Up Charlotte To Go is a daily news and weather podcast you can listen to so you can start your day with the team at Wake Up Charlotte.
SUBSCRIBE: Apple Podcasts || Spotify || Stitcher || TuneIn || Google Podcasts
All of WCNC Charlotte's podcasts are free and available for both streaming and download. You can listen now on Android, iPhone, Amazon, and other internet-connected devices. Join us from North Carolina, South Carolina, or on the go anywhere.