This (and OP) is confusing two different things. There were individual stimulus checks, but there was also a separate boost to unemployment such that around 20%

This (and OP) is confusing two different things. There were individual stimulus checks, but there was also a separate boost to unemployment such that around 20% of people who ended up on unemployment were making more than they had with the job they lost. I'm pretty sure that has stopped by now too, though. Edit: https://www.investopedia.com/federal-pandemic-unemployment-programs-how-they-worked-4801925 https://www.investopedia.com/federal-pandemic-unemployment-p... - ended Sept 2021 There were plenty of posts about small businesses being unable to compete with unemployment because of this back when it was active. In past experience, this is usually what they're referring to.