FEMA OK’s $300 Weekly Unemployment Pay in Fla.

Fla. is now an official participant in the Lost Wages Assistance Program, which should provide qualified unemployed residents $300 per week for at least three weeks.

WASHINGTON – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved Florida’s application to participate in the Lost Wages Assistance Program. The acceptance means that qualified Floridians receiving unemployment compensation should qualify for an additional $300 per week for a minimum of three weeks.

In a memorandum, President Trump authorized the use of FEMA funds after a program that provided $600 per week expired in July. It applies to Floridians who were eligible for Reemployment Assistance for weeks of unemployment ending on or after Aug. 1, 2020. Gov. Ron DeSantis applied to participate in the program last week.

According to FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor, unemployed Floridians now qualify for the $300 per week on top of their regular unemployment benefit for those unemployed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The program’s guidance suggests that Florida should receive about three weeks’ worth of benefits upon approval, but the weekly benefits could last longer. After three weeks, additional benefits will be decided on a week-by-week basis based on the amount of money remaining in the fund.

When DeSantis announced the Florida application to the Low Wages Assistance Program, he said Floridians who qualify must be a) currently receiving Reemployment Assistance benefits, b) unemployed or partially unemployed due to COVID-19, and c) currently receiving at least $100 per week in Reemployment Assistance benefits. Payments are to be retroactive to Aug. 1, 2020.

An explanation of Lost Wages Supplemental Payment Assistance Guidelines is posted on FEMA’s website.

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