Unemployed Mass. residents hoping for additional stimulus package relief

BOSTON — As stimulus talks continue to edge closer to a deal in Washington, D.C., unemployed people in Massachusetts who are counting on some more relief are starting to worry.

Maria Gallagher lost her job as a wardrobe planner for local theaters in March. She’s on extended unemployment benefits right now. S

“I have about 8 or 9 weeks left,” she said.

Gallagher says that all that’s left of her extended unemployment benefits. Finding work even outside of her field has been hard and she’s now dipping into savings.

“So, what I do every month is make sure we have a roof over our head and we have food and everything else is get in line,” she said.

Brandon Sullivan understands the tough spot Gallagher is in. He was an apprentice plumber until COVID-19 hit. He told Boston 25, “I lost my job. I’d still be a plumber. I’d still be at work right now.”

Instead, he’s in school full time. “The pandemic put me on a different path in life. I’ll be frank but I had to roll with it,” he said.

Unemployment and stimulus money have helped Sullivan pay bills. “Matters of individual payments on bills, car bills, rent,” he said.

Down in Washington, D.C., differences on how much money to gives states are among the hurdles to get a package passed before Election Day. Speaker Nancy Pelosi says things are heading in the right direction: "I think we’re just about there.'

So as Gallagher and Sullivan wait, they hope elected officials in Washington understand what’s at stake.

“I’m a working guy. That’s my nature. I have not had much luck though,” Sullivan said.

If passed, a stimulus bill could cost $2 trillion dollars but would cover testing, vaccines, schools, workers and more. Negotiations continue.

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