| Covid-19 | Aug 25, 2020

FEMA Announces First States to Receive Lost Wages Grants

Following the President’s August 8 memorandum directing FEMA to use Disaster Relief Fund dollars to continue a portion of the enhanced unemployment benefits authorized by the Coronavirus, Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act that expired on July 31, FEMA announced it will provide up to $44 billion in Disaster Relief Fund grants to states, territories, and the District of Columbia (“states”) to administer lost wages assistance. FEMA also announced that, as of August 14, it has approved grants for Arizona, Iowa, Louisiana, and New Mexico. States may request assistance by submitting by September 10 an application for a grant award to administer the supplemental payments for lost wages. States must apply using the Grants.gov portal.