For millions of unemployed American workers, December 26 is the last check they will receive as benefits created by the CARES Act in March 2020 are set to expire on December 31, 2020. Each state Department of Labor (DOL) function differently and process may vary how fast you will receive the $300 checks.  You may receive early as December 27, 2020 but again this is just a speculation, final details yet to be released after president sign the bill.  

Are you eligible for the extra $300 unemployment check?

If you have been laid off or furloughed, you are eligible to apply for the unemployment benefits from the state where you live.  If you have applied for the unemployment since the Pandemic started, you continue to follow the same process as your state requires.  the $300 is enhanced unemployment benefit for 11 weeks, the continuation of the key jobless programs. 

This has been battle for past several months between Congressional Republicans and Democrats.  Democrats wanted to have $600, but Republicans wanted to have smaller benefit amount. the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program now qualify for 11 additional weeks of payments which run through March 14, 2021.