An Indiana judge on Friday ordered that the state must continue the expanded federal unemployment benefits that were implemented during last year’s pandemic relief efforts, saying that ending the funds ahead of their expiration date could cause “irreparable harm” to residents who are unable to pay for daily necessities. Marion County Superior Court Judge John Hanley granted the preliminary injunction in a lawsuit filed earlier this month by two legal organizations, which argued that Indiana law requires the state to procure federal insurance benefits to its residents and said the governor’s actions to end the benefits would hurt thousands of people. “Indiana should notify the U.S. Department of Labor immediately of its continued participation in the CARES Act programs pending further action by this Court,” Hanley wrote. The judge said “a preponderance of evidence” suggests that ending the unemployment payments prematurely could cause hardship and violate Indiana law. “A loss of …