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FRANKFORT, Ky. (WTVQ) – Some confusion and misconceptions about the current $ 400 in unemployment insurance supplemental payments is due to federal restrictions on who is eligible for the money and not to state decisions, the program’s lead attorney said Tuesday.
Unemployment insurance was one of several updates released during Governor Andy Beshear’s daily briefing.
Amy Cubbage, general counsel for the Governor’s Office, provided an update on the Commonwealth’s efforts to assist Kentucky residents experiencing job loss during this unprecedented time.
“The Kentucky Unemployment Insurance Office has paid more than $ 4.1 billion in benefits to Kentucky residents, benefits for the most part that are spent on our businesses and have an economic impact several times greater than that $ 4.1 billion. “, He said.
However, Cubbage noted that some claims have been denied or are still being processed. He noted that the rules governing unemployment insurance payments come largely from the federal Department of Labor.
“The payment rate for eligible claims remains at the same level as the pre-pandemic, around 80%,” he said.
Cubbage also provided an update on the Federal Lost Wage Assistance (LWA) program from the Federal Emergency Management Agency, which provides an additional $ 400 per week for those who qualify.
He said the Kentucky Unemployment Insurance Office has paid about $ 245 million in LWA benefits, which cover the weeks of August 1 through September 5.
Cubbage said some have been confused by the federal program’s eligibility rules and urged anyone with questions to see new information covering the most frequently asked questions on the Kentucky Career Center website.
She said the state is actually denying fewer claims now, about 25 percent, than before the coronavirus outbreak, when it was about 34 percent.
He said that some benefits are starting to wear off because they only last 26 weeks initially. A video on the websites listed above explains how to reapply, he said.
He also noted that some people who qualified for the extra $ 400 a week had not recertified. Emails or messages were sent to those 21,600 people and about 15,000 have responded, he explained. But processing those responses and sending the money will take “a couple of weeks.”
She said that overall, the state has handled 1.2 million claims. Of these, around 77,000 initial claims remain unresolved and most of them are in dispute. “We are working on them … but they just take time.”
She acknowledged that about 7,000 people received overpayments in the first wave of additional payments of $ 4,000 and those people are being notified, but those overpayments did not delay any future payments to those who were eligible.
As for expanding or reopening offices throughout the state or making more in-person visits to communities, that probably won’t happen for a while because the state had determined that even with the help of Ernst and Young staff, state staff is more efficient and gets more done in the Frankfort office.
In other articles:
– Beshear issued a proclamation recognizing October as Kentucky Manufacturing Month.
“While it is one thing to issue this proclamation, it is another to truly acknowledge the profound impact that manufacturing has on Kentucky’s economy, its communities and its families,” said the Governor. “Kentucky manufacturers employ about 260,000 people full time.”
He noted that Kentucky’s manufacturing base far exceeds the national average, with 13% of the Commonwealth workforce employed in manufacturing versus 8.5% nationally. Kentucky is home to approximately 4,500 manufacturing facilities, from Fortune 500 companies to family operations.
“We produce dryers, aerospace compounds, dump truck bodies, laundry baskets, concrete blocks, duct tape, pet food, construction cranes, cars, trucks and SUVs, cheese, craft beer, railroad ties, running shorts and much more, “Beshear said. .
He noted that many of these same companies have aided the Commonwealth’s coronavirus response by modifying or scaling up to produce vitally needed personal protective equipment (PPE) for Kentucky first responders.
“These companies make barriers, masks, gowns, disinfectants, face shields, intubation boxes, ventilator components, and of course hand disinfectants,” Beshear noted. “EPI producers and their employees are true heroes in this epic fight against coronavirus.”
The governor said his administration continues to work to incorporate new manufacturing projects to help the republic recover stronger and better.
– Beshear announced the award of $ 3 million in federal grant funds that will improve the safety and preparedness of 25 communities across the state, including Lexington, Georgetown, Pike County, Lyon County, Painstville and several others.
“If the COVID-19 pandemic has taught us anything, it is the value of being prepared before a crisis occurs,” the governor said. “These much-needed grants will help Kentucky communities plan, respond to, and recover from events we pray will never happen.”
Funding comes from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s State Homeland Security Grant Program, which helps local governments prepare for and counter acts of terrorism.
– Beshear promoted the Kentucky Department of Tourism’s newly launched campaign: “Stay Close. Go far.”
“As we continue to be diligent in our fight against COVID-19, we also recognize the importance of staying connected to our families and communities,” said the Governor. “The ‘Stay Close. Go far.’ The campaign enables us to encourage safe and responsible in-state travel for Kentuckians and support our continued efforts to put Kentucky on the path to economic recovery. “
The Governor also asked Kentuckians to follow and use the #TravelKYroadtrip hashtag on social media to get and share travel ideas.
For more information and to view the full press release, click here.
