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Nearly half of American households have lost income since the start of the pandemic

The coronavirus pandemic has cut nearly half of Americans' household incomes, a Bankrate and YouGov survey found.

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The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted nearly half of Americans' household incomes.

In a recent Bankrate and YouGov survey , 49% of Americans said their household income was negatively impacted. The survey polled 3,753 adults in June. Young adults were hit hardest 60% of those ages 18 to 34 said their household income was affected for the worse.

This includes being laid off or furloughed, receiving a pay cut, working on reduced hours, and being unable to operate their business as usual. Respondents were also able to select "other" as an option.

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But despite the income loss for those who became unemployed, many have actually seen their income go up thanks to the $2.2 trillion coronavirus stimulus bill passed in March that granted an extra $600 per week to unemployed Americans.

A recent Deutsche Bank report found that this government support has increased personal income since the start of the recession.

Unemployment claimants, it stated, are earning nearly $500 more a week than they would without the stimulus: They're receiving roughly $788 a week (equivalent to $41,000 annually), compared to unemployment benefits of about $300 per week (or $15,000 to $16,000 annually) otherwise. (This is on a per-person basis, as some states give more or less than $300 a week.)

This analysis underscores a working paper (meaning it hasn't yet been peer reviewed) by the University of Chicago from May. It found that two-thirds of those receiving unemployment insurance were making more than they were while employed. One-fifth of workers even doubled their income.

New research from Columbia University indicates the $600 boost and $1,200 stimulus check helped keep around 12 million people out of poverty.

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This earnings bump led to a quick rebound in consumer spending for the lowest-paid workers, Business Insider's Joseph Zeballos-Roig reported . As he explains it, that means that unemployment benefits or direct payments have had a positive economic effect by helping many people buy groceries, pay rent, and support their essential needs.

As Amanda Fischer, policy director at the Washington Center for Equitable Growth, told Zeballos-Roig, "You give lower income people money and they're spending all of it, which is the biggest economic boost."

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