St. Paul – The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) is reminding Minnesotans receiving unemployment insurance benefits that the $600 additional payment authorized by the CARES Act is scheduled to end later this month.
Unless the program is extended by the federal government, the last week that it may be paid in Minnesota is the week ending July 25, 2020.
Applicants can begin to request this week of benefits between Sunday, July 26 and Friday, July 31.
The end of the additional $600 payment does not impact applicant eligibility. Minnesotans who remain eligible for regular UI benefits will continue to receive their regular payments each week after that – but benefit payments will no longer include the additional $600 payment.
Many are lobbying President Donald Trump to take action to extend the extra money; He said in a FOX News interview on Wednesday it would be a "disincentive to work."
On the other side of the aisle, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden introduced legislation on Wednesday that would extend the $600 benefit “until a state’s three-month average total unemployment level falls below 11%.”
“Once the unemployment rate falls below 11%, the benefit amount reduces by $100 for each percentage point decrease in a state’s unemployment rate,” the proposal states.
If passed, that would stay in effect until March 2021.
For its part, DEED says it's critical that the unemployed continue to receive this benefit.
“This additional weekly payment has provided critical support to hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans whose employment has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said DEED Commissioner Steve Grove. “We know that this continues to be an exceptionally difficult time, and the loss of the additional $600 will only make life more challenging for families across our state. DEED and our state agency partners are focused on connecting Minnesotans to available state and community services and resources in the weeks and months to come.”
There are many state resources and additional supports available to Minnesotans during this time of great need, according to Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) Commissioner Jodi Harpstead.
“COVID-19 has created challenges and uncertainties for everyone, and we're here to help,” Harpstead said. “People who are unemployed or struggling should know that they may be able to receive low-cost health insurance, help buying groceries, help with child care costs and more.”
Minnesotans in need of emergency assistance should contact the county human services or tribal agency where they live.
