Minnesota state officials are still evaluating a new federal program that would give out-of-work Minnesotans an extra $300 in weekly unemployment benefits, but they have indicated they plan to apply to be part of it.
Several states including Iowa, New Mexico and Missouri have already received approval from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to disburse the additional payments — and at least one state, Arizona, already began distributing the funds to its residents this week.
But it may take a few more weeks for some states to get the program up and running as they adjust their systems and technology to meet the requirements.
Rita Beatty, a spokeswoman for the Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED), said the agency is reviewing the Lost Wages Assistance program and considering steps for program implementation.
"We expect to have a decision next week," she said in an e-mail.
States have until Sept. 10 to apply for the program.
President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Aug. 8 authorizing the enhanced payments as a partial replacement for the $600 a week that unemployed workers received through July under the CARES Act. Those additional funds had been helping to boost consumer spending and kept many workers above water as rent and other bills came due.
Democrats and Republicans have been unable to agree on a new coronavirus aid package to extend the additional benefits.