Lost Wages Assistance Program (additional $300 per week benefit)

The federal government is funding an additional $300 per week benefit. 

States have the option to provide an additional $100/week benefit from their own Coronavirus Relief Fund. Nearly all states – including Minnesota – have already allocated Coronavirus Relief Funds to critical public health initiatives and other measures to fight the pandemic.

To receive a week of Lost Wages Assistance you must:

• Be unemployed due to COVID-19;
• Have a weekly benefit amount of at least $100; AND, 
• Meet UI eligibility requirements for each week that the additional $300 per week is available.

The following unemployment benefit programs are eligible for an additional payment under the Lost Wages Assistance program:

• Regular unemployment insurance 
• Unemployment Compensation for Federal Employees (UCFE) 
• Unemployment Compensation for Ex-Servicemembers (UCX) 
• Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC) 
• Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA) 
• Extended Benefits (EB) 
• Shared Work 
• Trade Readjustment Allowance (TRA)

If you have a pending eligibility issue that prevents you from receiving your unemployment benefit payment, you will not get the additional $300 per week until that issue is resolved.

You will not be able to see the additional $300 per week on the “Payment Information” screen of your online unemployment account. 

The payment it will be deposited to the bank account or debit card we have on file. Each $300 per week payment will show up as a separate transaction.

Yes, the additional $300 per week benefit is taxable. We are not currently able to do tax withholding from this payment on your behalf. You are responsible for setting aside enough money to cover any future tax obligation.