FEMA approves Minnesota’s request for additional $300 unemployment benefits

The federal government has approved Minnesota’s application to receive temporary additional unemployment benefits.

Gov. Tim Walz announced on Saturday that the Federal Emergency Management Agency approved the state’s application for the Lost Wages Assistance program, which provides an extra $300 a week to those receiving unemployment benefits.

Applicants for the LWA program must be receiving a weekly unemployment benefit of at least $100 and be unemployed because of COVID-19 to qualify.

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“I am glad that Minnesotans receiving unemployment benefits will receive an additional $300 a week to help make ends meet during this crisis,” Walz said in a statement. “We will continue to use every resource at our disposal to help Minnesotans through this pandemic.”

To receive the additional $300 a week, anyone who is currently receiving unemployment benefits does not need to reapply or do anything other than complete their weekly benefits request. The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development will automatically pay applicants who qualify for LWA from the week of July 26 forward.

“With our application approved, we’ll move quickly to get Minnesotans this assistance," DEED Commissioner Steve Grove said in a statement. “We know how important these benefits are to so many workers who are unemployed due to the pandemic."

DEED said the program is expected to last five to eight weeks. More information can be found on DEED’s website.