NLBMDA opposes supplemental unemployment

The National Lumber and Building Material Dealers Association said that it is seeking support from members to ask Congress to oppose an extension of the $600 per week supplemental unemployment benefit.

The benefit was originally included in the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act and expired on July 31.

But the NLBMDA says additional unemployment benefits could be in the works in the next relief package. According to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), if the additional funding is extended for another six months, then five out of six beneficiaries would receive more from unemployment than what they could expect to earn working.

The NLBMDA also points to a recent study from the University of Chicago that found a significant number of individuals would earn more while unemployed than returning to work. 

This disincentive will leave employers short-staffed and negatively harm workers who will spend time out of the labor market, the NLBMDA said.

The NLBMDA has created a grassroots alert which can be accessed by clicking here.