Getty Images
As we reported earlier this week, FEMA began approving states for the enhanced federal benefit for unemployment insurance authorized by President Trump on August 8th. While some states have been approved, some are still in the process, while others reject the assistance. En at least one state has already begun sending $ 300 weekly benefits to its citizens.
To keep abreast of this evolving story, we have gathered information here on a state-by-state basis. It includes when the state had or will seek FEMA approval for the benefit of $ 300, the status of the application, or the state of purpose to pay the corresponding benefit of $ 100, and when reporters can expect to receive the payments to begin to receive.
The timing of payments is still largely unknown. While one state began making payments, others are still making adjustments to their computer systems. As Forbes has previously reported, the average time to send benefits once approved by FEMA is three weeks.
States FEMA is approved
Arizona: FEMA has approved Arizona’s application August 15, 2020. Arizona began sending $ 300 weekly payments to eligible insurers on Aug. 17.
Colorado: FEMA has approved the Colorado application on August 16, 2020. In response to written questions submitted to the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, we received a written response on August 17, 2020 that did not make a decision on whether the weekly benefit would be $ 300 or a state-equivalent benefit of $ 100 include. As for timing, the written statement said they ‘still consider the time division of the development as systems re-program. We do not have a timeline. . . payments at this time. ”
Iowa: FEMA approved Iowa’s application on August 15, 2020. To date, Iowa has not released any information on when the $ 300 payments will begin. On the Iowa Workforce Development website a notice states that “FEMA and USDOL will continue to provide guidance, and IWD will continue to develop the implementation processes required for this program, including all necessary steps for requesting reporters. We will update our website as additional information becomes available, including application and payment timelines. Please do not contact customer service if you are eligible for this benefit or if it can be paid for. “
Louisiana: FEMA approves Louisiana’s application on August 15, 2020. Governor John Edwards had previously announced that the state would participate in the $ 300 federal benefit. In response to written questions submitted to the Louisiana Workforce Commission, we received the following written statement on August 17:
The Louisiana Workforce Commission works closely with our federal partners at the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Department of Labor. We submitted our application ‘Other needs-supplementary payments for lost wages’ on 14 August 2020, which was approved. At this time, details are pending and we do not have a date for when reporters can expect payment. We expect more clarity and information to become available in the coming days. “
Missouri: FEMA approved Missouri’s application on August 16, 2020. So far, it is unclear whether the benefit will be $ 300 or $ 400 when it will start. An announcement on the Missouri Department of Labor website states that “[w]In anticipation of additional guidance from FEMA and the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL), Missouri will continue to implement the LWA Program for Eligible Unemployed Missourians as soon as possible to receive the additional benefits as soon as possible. We will update our website as more information becomes available, including all additional qualification requirements and payment timelines. ”
The Missouri Department of Labor did not respond to a request for comment.
New Mexico: FEMA approved New Mexico’s application on August 15, 2020. According to a message on the New Mexico Department of Workforce Solutions, “President Trump signed a presidential memorandum on August 8 to” provide lost pay assistance “to improve unemployment insurance benefits. There is no need for reporters to contact at this time. the solutions department. We will announce more information when it becomes available. “
Attempts to reach the Workforce Solutions department for comment were unsuccessful.
Utah: FEMA approved Utah’s application on August 16, 2020. In response to written questions, the Utah Department of Workforce Solutions confirmed in writing that the additional benefit would be $ 300 and that they would “project the projections to those in about three weeks to come. ”
States seeking FEMA approval
Alaska: On 13 August 2020, a press release noted that Gov. Mike Dunleavy had authorized the Alaska Department of Labor and Labor Development to begin the FEMA application process. The statement said the process would result in a $ 300 weekly increase in unemployment benefits.
Idaho: Governor Brad Little announced that Idaho would apply to FEMA for federal $ 300 assistance. The announcement did not indicate whether Idaho would fund the additional $ 100 per week.
North Carolina: Goai Roy Cooper said this week that he began the process of applying for unemployment benefits at FEMA. Based on this report, North Carolina has plans to fund the $ 100 state game, bringing the total benefits to $ 400 per week. However, state funding has not been approved by the legislature.
Ohio: It has been widely reported that Gov. Mike DeWine has said Ohio will go ahead to apply for the $ 300 benefit.
Oklahoma: On August 17, 2020, Governor Kevin Stitt announced that Oklahoma had submitted its grant application for LWA to FEMA. The announcement stated that the process would allow the state to issue $ 300 weekly benefits.
West Virginia: On August 10, 2020, Governor Jim Justice sei that West Virginia would pay the state game of $ 100, and eligible claimants to give a benefit of $ 400 per week: “Hands down, period, West Virginia will pay it,” Gov. said. Justice. “We do that very willingly.”
States Declined to Decline President Trump’s $ 300 Unemployment Benefit of $ 300
Based on our analysis of publicly available information, the following states have yet to consider their options or reject the Federal Unemployment Assistance. In some cases, we have rejected their refusal of assistance based on comments from government officials.
Mississippi: It has been report that Gov. Tate Reeves had denied the assistance. Following a written question, however, we received the following written comment from Renae Eze, a spokesperson for the governor’s office:
“We do not currently have the Federal Assistance for Unemployment. In consultation with the Mississippi Department of Employment Security, Governor Reeves and his team continue to review all options for providing assistance through our Unemployment Trust Fund for Unemployment and ensuring the well-being of all Mississippians without work as a result of this pandemic. We appreciate President Trump stepping up and trying to help American workers in this difficult time. ”
Pennsylvania: In a letter of August 13, 2020, Governor Tom Wolf was critical of the executive action of Mr. Trump authorizing the enhanced unemployment benefits. Although his statement did not explicitly deny the aid, it suggested Pennsylvania would not submit an application to FEMA.
Governor Wolf’s office did not respond to a request for comment.
Oregon: David Gerstenfeld, Interim Head of the Oregon Employment Department, sei that uncertainties make it difficult to know what the implementation of the federal benefit requires: “There are still a number of uncertainties about the program that were discussed in that executive order.” He added that they “do not know exactly what it would take to implement because we do not know what we will implement.”
South Dakota: Governor Christ Name of South Dakota refused unemployment assistance because the state does not need it: “My administration is very grateful for the extra flexibility this effort would have provided, but South Dakota is in the fortunate position of not accepting it. The South Dakota economy, never shutting down, has recovered nearly 80% of our job losses. ”
We will update this development story as information on additional states becomes available.
Besibbe: FAQ of second incentive
.
