DoL Issues Additional Guidance for States on Lost Wages Assistance Program; FEMA Announces Awards to Colorado, Missouri, and Utah
DoL, in coordination with FEMA, issued FAQs (in addition to those previously released by FEMA) regarding the Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) program. In its guidance, DoL clarifies:• States’ responsibilities for contacting individuals who are potentially eligible for LWA to allow them to submit a self-certification• Technical requirements of the self-certification process• How states should determine if an individual meets the eligibility requirement for receiving at least $100 in benefits for the underlying unemployment benefit program• The “Period of Assistance” of the LWA program (August 1, 2020 to December 27, 2020 or termination of the program, whichever is sooner)• States’ flexibility as to whether it issues a combined payment or separate payment for LWA and underlying unemployment benefits• Application of Coronavirus Relief Fund payments• How state funds may be used to cover the state’s 25 percent match for LWA• Requirements to submit various financial and programmatic reports