The Kentucky State Labor Cabinet is applying to a federal assistance program to pay an additional $400 each week to individuals currently eligible for unemployment insurance compensation.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear said people should not expect payments from the FEMA Lost Wages Assistance Program until early September. He said the Labor Cabinet will file for the program tomorrow and FEMA should approve the application between 48 to 72 hours.
“The program will allow Kentuckians receiving unemployment benefits for the weeks of July 26 to August 15--that’s what we’re starting with--to receive additional payments of $400 if they’re unemployed or partially unemployed as a result of the COVID pandemic,” he said. “The $400 will apply to all programs...traditional U.I., the Pandemic Unemployment Assistance Program and extended benefits programs.”
Beshear said only seven states currently have been approved for the program.
Beshear also announced more than $8 million in CARES Act reimbursement for 18 central Kentucky local governments to cover payroll expenses, PPE, sanitizing and telecommuting supplies.
Beshear confirmed 655 new cases of COVID-19 and said 91 of those cases are children. He said Kentucky has 40,926 total cases and reported 12 new deaths. He said 640 people are in the hospital, with 155 in the ICU and 90 on a ventilator. The positivity rate is 5.41%.
