WASHINGTON – FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor approved Kentucky for a FEMA grant under the Lost Wages Assistance program. The grant funding will allow Kentucky to provide those unemployed due to COVID-19 $400 per week ($100 in state funds, $300 in federal funds), on top of their regular unemployment benefit. FEMA will work with Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear to implement a system to make this funding available to Kentucky residents.
On Aug. 8, President Trump made available up to $44 billion from FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund to provide financial assistance to Americans who have lost wages due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On Aug. 20, the state of Kentucky agreed to administer a lost wages program for its citizens who are unemployed due to COVID-19.
FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor approved Kentucky for a FEMA grant under this unprecedented program. FEMA’s grant funding will allow Kentucky to provide those unemployed due to COVID-19 $400 per week ($100 in state funds, $300 in federal funds), on top of their regular unemployment benefit.
Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Utah were previously approved for assistance.
FEMA looks forward to working with the governors of additional states who agree to administer a lost wages program to bring financial relief to unemployed Americans.