On August 8, President Donald Trump signed an executive order that provides $400 extra benefits. As per the new order, the federal government would provide $300 additional unemployment benefits per week, and the states are responsible for contributing the remaining $100.
While the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) would contribute an extra $300, on behalf of the federal government, states were given the option to choose how they would pay the remaining $100 and decide if they would even pay it.
Note that the $300 federal unemployment benefits are not automatic. States must apply through FEMA for a grant. So, which states have applied for a grant with FEMA?
In this article, we have listed which states have received approval to offer $300 additional unemployment benefits. We have also listed the benefit amount each state would provide.
List Of States Approved By FEMA
Below is the list of states that have applied and have been approved by FEMA.
1. Alabama
FEMA approved Alabama’s application on August 21. Based on the Department Of Labor (DOL) and FEMA estimations, the Alabama Department of Labor stated, “The eligible people could expect to receive the payment in approximately 3 weeks.”
2. Alaska
Though Alaska received FEMA’s approval on August 23, the qualified people won’t receive the payment immediately. According to the state’s Department of Labor and Workforce Development, Alaskans will have to wait for at least 6 six to 8 weeks to receive the benefits.
3. Arizona
Arizona, which received FEMA’s approval on August 15, is the first state to give out $300 additional unemployment benefits. The state has distributed an estimated $201 million to eligible Arizonans.
An estimation of 250,000 unemployed Arizonans has received the $300 federal unemployment benefit in addition to regular benefits. The extra benefits were retroactively paid for the August first week.
4. Arkansas
Though the state received FEMA’s approval on August 25, it is still unclear when the residents will start to receive benefits.
5. California
Though at first California Governor Gavin Newsom didn’t support the order, he then applied for the grant through FEMA, which was approved on August 21. But it is unclear when the Californians could receive the payment.
6. Colorado
The state received FEMA’s approval on August 16. But it is unclear when the qualified people could expect the benefits. But Colorado’s Department of Labor and Employment has not yet determined the benefit amount nor has any approximation on development timelines to reprogram the systems to give the extra benefits.
7. Connecticut
FEMA approved the state’s application on August 24. The qualified people can expect payment within 3 to 4 weeks.
8. Delaware
FEMA approved Delaware’s application on September 2. However, it is unclear when the qualified people can expect the payment.
9. Florida
Florida received FEMA’s approval on August 29. But the state’s Department has not announced when the residents can expect the payment.
10. Georgia
The state received FEMA’s approval on August 23. But it is still unclear when the state’s Department of Labor would provide the add-on benefit.
11. Hawaii
The state received FEMA’s approval on August 29. The state’s Department Of Labor is building a new program to implement and payout benefits.
12. Idaho
FEMA approved the state’s application on August 19. The state’s Department Of Labor is yet to announce when the qualified Idahoans can expect to receive the benefits.
13. Illinois
FEMA approved the state’s application on September 1. However, it is unclear when the qualified people will start receiving the payment.
14. Indiana
The state received FEMA’s approval on August 21. The state’s Department of Workforce Development is planning to provide benefits to the eligible people within 4 to four weeks.
15. Iowa
Iowa applied to FEMA on August 13 and received its approval on August 14. However, it is unclear when the Iowa Workforce Development would provide the add-on benefit.
16. Kansas
FEMA approved Kansas’s application on September 7. However, it is unclear when the qualified people can expect to receive the payment.
17. Kentucky
FEMA approved Kentucky’s application on August 21. The qualified Kentuckians can expect to receive the payment within 2 to 3 weeks.
18. Louisiana
Though the state received FEMA’s approval on August 14, it is still unclear when the qualified will receive the add-on benefits.
19. Maine
The state received FEMA’s approval on August 25. The residents can expect to receive the payment in about 3 weeks.
20. Maryland
FEMA approved Maryland’s application on August 20. The eligibles are expected to receive the add-on benefits in late September.
21. Massachusetts
That State’s application was approved on August 21. But it is unclear when the qualified people in the state will receive additional benefits.
22. Michigan
FEMA approved Michigan’s application on August 21. However, the state agency has not yet notified when Michiganders can expect to collect the extra benefits.
23. Minnesota
Minnesota received FEMA’s approval on August 29. But it is unclear when the qualified people in the state can expect to receive benefits.
24. Mississippi
Though Mississippi received approval on August 22, the Mississippians will have to wait for approximately 3 to 4 weeks to collect add-on benefits.
25. Missouri
FEMA approved the state’s application on August 16. But it is still unclear when the eligible people can expect to receive the benefits in the state.
26. Montana
Montana’s application was approved on August 18. But the state’s Department of Labor and Industry has not yet been notified when the qualified people will receive additional benefits.
27. New Hampshire
The state received FEMA’s approval on August 24. But it is unclear when the state agency will begin paying the additional benefits.
28. New Mexico
FEMA approved New Mexico’s application on August 15. But it is unclear when benefits will become available to New Mexicans.
29. New York
The state received FEMA’s approval on August 23. Though an estimated timing is not available, the state’s agency is working to provide extra benefits as quickly as possible.
30. North Carolina
FEMA approved North Carolina’s application on August 21. But updates on a timeline for collecting benefits is not yet announced.
31. North Dakota
FEMA approved the state’s application on August 31. The residents can expect to receive payments by mid-September.
32. Ohio
FEMA approved Ohio’s application on August 26. The Department announced that Ohioans can expect to receive the benefit by mid-September.
33. Oklahoma
Oklahoma applied on August 17 and received approval on August 18. As per the Oklahoma Employment Security Commission, the eligible Oklahomans can expect to receive benefits within 4 to 5 weeks.
34. Oregon
The state received FEMA’s approval on August 28. But it is unclear when the residents will start to receive benefits.
35. Pennsylvania
FEMA approved the state’s application on August 24. But updates on a timeline for collecting benefits is not yet announced.
36. Rhode Island
The state received FEMA’s approval on August 22. The benefits will be available in the state after 2 to 3 weeks.
37. Tennessee
Tennessee received FEMA’s approval on August 22. But it is unclear when the state’s agency will begin paying add-on benefits.
38. Texas
FEMA approved the state’s application on August 21. The Texas Workforce Commission has already started paying the qualified. The state has paid approximately $151.6 million as of Monday.
39. Utah
Though the state received FEMA’s approval on August 16, the residents have to wait for at least 3 to 4 weeks to collect add-on benefits.
40. Vermont
FEMA approved Vermont’s application on August 22. But the Vermont Department of Labor has not yet notified when the qualified people can expect to receive the benefit.
41. Virginia
FEMA approved the state’s application on August 26. However, it is unclear when the qualified people will start receiving the payment.
42. Washington
Washington received FEMA’s approval on August 24. The state’s agency has not yet notified when the qualified people can expect the payment.
43. West Virginia
The state received approval from FEMA on August 27. But it is unclear when the qualified people will start to receive benefits.
44. Wisconsin
Wisconsin received FEMA’s approval on September 1. The residents can expect to receive the add-on benefit within 8 weeks.
45. Wyoming
The state received approval from FEMA on August 28. But it is unclear when the qualified people will start to receive benefits.
Note – South Dakota has opted not to participate in this new program.
How Much Benefits Will Each State Provide?
All approved states, except Kentucky and Montana, will pay $300 additional unemployment benefits. The states Kentucky and Montana have agreed to contribute the $100, thereby providing $400 extra benefits to the qualified.
Who Qualifies For $300 Additional Unemployment Benefits?
To qualify for $300 additional unemployment benefits, one must receive at least $100 benefits per week through any of the following programs.
- Regular unemployment benefits
- Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation
- Pandemic Unemployment Assistance or any other federal pandemic assistance program
How Long Would a $300 Additional Unemployment Benefits Program Last?
Though the exact expiration date is unknown, the new order is expected to end when FEMA expends 444 billion from Disaster Relief Fund (DRF), or DRF’s total balance reduces to $25 billion.
Closing Thoughts
Expiration of $600 weekly benefits had taken unemployed Americans by storm. But with the new order, people can receive extra amounts on top of their regular benefits and pay their medical, housing bills, etc. for a few weeks. To know more about the $300 additional unemployment benefits program, visit the state’s Department Of Labor website.