Walz signs 2 executive orders on COVID-19 relief payments

Thursday, Gov. Tim Walz signed two executive orders regarding COVID-19 relief payments.

Executive Order 21-02 aims to ensure relief payments are used to help Minnesotans afford necessities during the pandemic and aren’t intercepted by third parties or immediately garnished for consumer debt. The order modifies the protections under Executive Order 20-50.

Executive Order 21-03 ensures relief payments aren’t counted as income for federally funded assistance programs and that unemployment benefits paid to high school students doesn’t make families ineligible for certain assistance. The order modifies Executive Order 20-42.

Walz’s office said both orders have been approved by the Minnesota Executive Council and are effective immediately.