Workrise is committed to keeping you informed.
We know it can be hard to keep track of what resources are available to you amid ongoing economic uncertainty.
As of August 1, the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance of $600 for eligible workers under the CARES Act has expired.
But workers in some states who were originally eligible for these benefits may now benefit from additional funding allocated under a recent Presidential Memoranda.
How the Program Works
"The “lost wages assistance” program provides eligible workers in participating states a $300 per week boost to unemployment. States also have the option to contribute an additional $100. However, the Department of Labor ruled that states will not be forced to pay the additional $100. Calculate how much you can receive by state here."
The program will use $44 billion in disaster relief funding from FEMA - and states must apply to FEMA by September 10 and be approved to receive the additional funds.
Under the program, workers must already receive at least $100 per week in state jobless benefits to receive the additional aid, which could cause some unemployed workers to be ineligible, according to some reports.
The enhanced benefits are expected to cover three weeks of payments. Congress would then need to come to an agreement on an extension of the program.
States Approved for Additional Benefits
As of September 24, FEMA has approved grant funding for the below states:
-Alabama: payments started 9/3
-Alaska: payments start date late October
-Arizona: began sending out weekly payments on August 17
-Arkansas: payments start TBD
-California: payments start 9/7/2020
-Colorado: payments start mid to late September
-Connecticut: payments start mid-September
-Delaware: payments start date TBD
-District of Columbia: payments start date TBD
-Florida: started distribution on 9/11
-Georgia: payments start date mid-September
-Hawaii: payments start late August
-Idaho: payments start date TBD
-Illinois: payments start date TBD
-Indiana: payments start mid to late September
-Iowa: payments started 9/4
-Kansas: payments start late September
-Kentucky: payments start in early September
-Louisiana: payments start week of August 24
-Maine: payments start date mid to late September
-Maryland: payments start in late September
-Massachusetts: payments started 9/2
-Michigan: payments started 9/7
-Minnesota: payments started 9/4
-Mississippi: payments start mid to late September
-Missouri: payments start date 8/25/2020
-Montana: payments start date 8/26/2020
-New Hampshire: payments started 9/10
-New Jersey: payments start October
-New Mexico: payments start date mid-September
-New York: payments start date TBD
-North Carolina: payments started week of 9/9
-North Dakota: payments start mid September
-Ohio: payments start date mid to late September
-Oklahoma: payments start date is mid to late September
-Oregon: payments start date TBD
-Pennsylvania: payments start 9/14
-Rhode Island: payments start 9/12
-South Carolina: payments start mid to late September
-Tennessee: payments started week of 8/31
-Texas: payments start date 8/24
-Utah: payments start mid-September
-Vermont: payments start in mid-September
-Virginia: payments start date TBD
-Washington: payments start week of 9/21
-West Virginia: payments start date TBD
-Wisconsin: payments start date in November
-Wyoming: payments start date TBD
States Awaiting FEMA Approval
As of September 24, the below states have applied for funding and are awaiting FEMA approval:
-Nevada
States Rejecting Additional Benefits
As of September 24, the below state(s) have turned down additional federal unemployment assistance.
-South Dakota
Some states have yet to announce whether they intend to apply for the program.
Additional Resources:
Additionally, President Trump signed the following two Memorandums and an Executive Order on August 8, 2020.
-Payroll tax (Memorandum): Defers collection of the employee portion of payroll taxes for workers who earn less than $4,000 every two weeks. Employers may choose to participate in deferral.
-Student loans: All borrowers with federally held student loans will have their payments automatically suspended until 2021 without penalty. In addition, the interest rate on all federally held student loans will be set to 0% through the end of the calendar year. Borrowers will continue to have the option to make payments if they so choose.
-Evictions (Executive Order): Calls for Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson to identify any and all federal funds to assist renters and homeowners and consider if an eviction ban is needed. It doesn’t promise more aid. If you live in a property covered by the CARES Act, landlords can charge late fees and begin the eviction process starting Aug. 24. If you are at risk of eviction, here’s a list of states and the tenant protections enacted during COVID-19.
We’re committed to helping you navigate these challenging market conditions and will continue to keep you updated on the status of these enhanced unemployment benefits as they become available.
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