Ever since President Donald Trump signed the new executive order, states have begun applying for funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Though 44 states have received FEMA’s approval, only 6 states are paying out the $300 additional amount to the qualified people.
Here, we have listed states that have begun paying the extra unemployment benefits. Let’s have a look at them.
States Paying Out $300 Additional Unemployment Benefits
States paying out the $300 additional benefits are as follows.
1. Arizona
Arizona was one of the states which received FEMA’s approval and began paying out the extra benefits to the qualified people. Till date, more than 400,000 Arizonans have received $300 additional unemployment benefits. The payments were made retroactively for all weeks after July 26 when an additional $600 federal payments lapsed.
Only those who met any one of the following requirements received the benefits in the state.
- Arizonans who were receiving a minimum of $100 through regular unemployment benefits
- Arizonans who received $100 under the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program
However, the claimants are likely to stop receiving the benefits in the upcoming weeks. Michael Wisehart, Director of the Department of Economic Security (DES), stated, “Arizonans receiving the additional pay on top of the regular $240 unemployment benefits per week for the past month will get the payment this week and possibly the next. But the pool of federal cash that President Donald Trump tapped may run out after that.”
Wisehart further stated, “Right now, we know for sure that we can pay the benefits this week. But though we have an expectation, we are not certain that we will be able to pay next week.”
2. Iowa
The Iowa Workforce Development began accepting applications and processing payments on September 3. The Department stated that it would take 5-7 business days for claimants to receive benefits.
The payments are retroactive to August 1 and are paid to residents who:
- Are eligible for receiving at least $100 weekly benefits through any of the federal programs
- Have certified that he or she lost a job due to the Coronavirus pandemic
Those who have self-certified in the initial claim need not reapply for additional benefits. But those who didn’t, must notify the Department failing to which benefits will not be paid.
3. Louisiana
The Louisiana Workforce Commission (LWC) began paying out the $300 additional unemployment benefits on Wednesday, August 26. “Since then, about 300,000 jobless workers in the state have received an extra payment in addition to their regular unemployment benefits,” stated the Commission.
“Another 50,000 Louisianans are scheduled to collect the extra $300 payment,” the Commission added.
The payments are retroactive to August 1 for those who met eligibility criteria during that period. The state listed requirements are:
- One should be receiving a minimum of $100 under regular unemployment benefits or Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) program
- One has certified that he or she is fully or partially unemployed due to the pandemic
However, according to LWC, those who previously did not submit self-certification and did not qualify for benefits, can be eligible if they recertified that they are unemployed due to the pandemic.
The commission advised claimants to wait for 24 to 48 hours for the payment to show up in their accounts.
4. Missouri
The Department of Labor and Industrial Relations started paying the additional unemployment benefits in Missouri on Monday, August 25. The payments are retroactive to August 1 and are expected to last for 4 to 5 weeks.
To receive benefits, A Missourian should meet certain eligibility requirements. They include:
- An individual must be eligible to receive a minimum $100 weekly unemployment benefits under regular unemployment benefits or other federal programs
- An individual must indicate that he or she is fully or partially unemployed as a direct result of the pandemic
Missourians who have self-certified that they are unemployed in their initial unemployment claim need not take any extra action to receive the additional benefits. Instead, the Department will automatically add the extra $300 to their weekly benefit.
To Missourians who did not notify that they were unemployed due to the pandemic but meet the minimum $100 requirement, the state will send either mailed correspondence or Email on their potential eligibility for the new executive program.
5. Minnesota
The state began paying Lost Wage Assistance benefits on September 4. The payments are dated back to the week that ended on July 26. To qualify for unemployment benefits in Minnesota, one should meet eligibility requirements. They include:
- One should receive a minimum $100 weekly benefits through any of the federal programs
- One should self-certify that he or she is unemployed due to the pandemic
6. Montana
The Department of Labor and Industry began distributing the additional unemployment benefits in Montana on Wednesday, August 26, under the Lost Wages Assistance program. Montana is one of the states providing $400 enhanced benefits to qualified people. The first week for which the payment was available was the week that ended August.
To qualify for this additional payment, the residents must meet eligibility requirements such as:
- Should be eligible to receive at least $100 benefits under regular unemployment or other federal programs
- Must certify that they are fully or partially unemployed as a direct result of the pandemic
For those who did not self-certify in the initial claims, the state ask to confirm if they were unemployed due to the direct result of the pandemic in their weekly payment request form. If yes, the state will begin paying out additional benefits to such individuals.
Though claimants are not required to fill out a separate UI claim for the extra benefits, the state will pay Lost Wages Assistance funds in a separate direct deposit or add the amount to regular benefits.
7. North Carolina
The state’s Division of Employment Security began paying out the additional benefits on September 3. It is expected to pay for weeks that ended August 1, August 8, and August 15. To qualify for additional benefits in North Carolina, one should meet eligibility requirements such as:
- Be eligible to receive at least $100 weekly benefits through any of the federal programs
- Self-certify that he or she is unemployed due to the direct result of the pandemic
If one has not self-certified, he or she can visit File Lost Wages Assistance Certification in the Customer Menu page in the online UI account and complete the process.
8. Tennessee
The state’s Department Of Labor began paying Lost Wage Assistance benefits on August 26. The state made payment for the 1st three weeks of August, totaling $900, i.e., $300 per week.
Note that not all unemployed are eligible for the additional unemployment benefits in Tennessee. To qualify, Tennesseans must be unemployed due to the pandemic and receive a minimum of $100 per week through any one of the following programs.
- Regular unemployment compensation
- Pandemic Unemployment Assistance
- Extended Benefits payments
- Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation
Those who have qualified for benefits on August 1 and continued to apply for weekly claims will automatically receive them. The state will either add the amount to regular state benefits or will pay separately.
9. Texas
The Texas Workforce Commission (TWC) began distributing the additional unemployment benefits in August. The initial payment period was for the first three weeks ending August 1, August 8, and August 15. To qualify for the extra unemployment benefits in Texas, one must:
- Be eligible to receive a minimum $100 weekly benefits under regular unemployment or other federal programs
- Have certified that they lost the job due to the pandemic
Those who are already receiving regular unemployment benefits need not apply separately for the extra payment. The state will give it along with the regular benefits. But if one is new to applying for unemployment benefits, he or she should certify that he or she lost the job due to the pandemic’s direct results.
Closing Words
Other states are expected to begin paying out the additional $300 benefits to the qualified people at the earliest. But if you are living in any of the above-listed states, you can soon expect to receive payment to your bank account. If you live in a state which has not yet begun paying benefits, remain patient.