WASHINGTON – On August 8, 2020, 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. Today, the state of Maryland agreed to administer a lost wages program for its citizens who are unemployed due to COVID-19.
FEMA Administrator Pete Gaynor approved Maryland for a FEMA grant under this unprecedented program. FEMA’s grant funding will allow Maryland to provide those unemployed due to COVID-19 $300 per week on top of their regular unemployment benefit. FEMA will work with Maryland Governor Hogan to implement a system to make this funding available to Maryland residents.
Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Louisiana, 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.