FRANKFORT, Ky. — On Aug. 21, Gov. Andy Beshear announced that the state’s application for FEMA’s Lost Wages Program, federal money to aid unemployed Kentuckians, had been approved. The programmers have completed the final modifications to the unemployment insurance systems so the payment process for the Lost Wages Program has begun.
Self-certification has already been provided by most claimants and claimants who still need to complete the self-certification will be notified by the Office of Unemployment Insurance. Individual payments will be issued to claimants for each of the 3 weeks a claimant is eligible. Claimants should begin to receive payments within the next few days with payment for the first week going out today.
The state of Kentucky has decided to provide the extra $100 using CARES Act money. Kentucky’s portion will be approximately $8 million per week, allowing the unemployed, who qualify, to receive an extra $400 per week for the three-week grant period.
“This program will allow about 80,000 Kentuckians receiving at least $100 a week unemployment benefits for the weeks of July 26-Aug. 15 to receive an additional payment of $400, if they are unemployed or partially unemployed as a result of COVID-19 pandemic,” Gov. Beshear said. “The $400 will apply to all programs: traditional UI, the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance program and the extended benefits programs.”
The Kentucky Labor Cabinet and Office of Unemployment Insurance continue to work each day towards a resolution for all unresolved claims and will not stop until all Kentuckians have received the benefits for which they qualify.