Time almost up for some unemployed workers to apply for extra $300

People who were fully or partially unemployed for six weeks in August and September because of covid-19 are running out of time to apply for extra aid.

Eligible individuals could receive up to $300 a week in extra jobless benefits, but the Federal Emergency Management Agency will close the application period the Lost Wages Assistance program at 9:59 p.m. Friday, according to the state Department of Labor & Industry.

“We want eligible Pennsylvanians to get the maximum benefits possible,” Acting L&I Secretary Jennifer Berrier. “We encourage anyone who has delayed applying for this program to turn their applications in to us by the deadline.”

The Lost Wages Assistance program provides up to $300 a week extra in added benefits to people who were unemployed during the claim weeks ending Aug. 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 and Sept. 5

To qualify, those applying must have been receiving a benefit rate and dependence allowance totaling at least $100, and they must have received that benefit for each week from one of the following programs:

• Regular unemployment compensation;
• Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation;
• Pandemic Unemployment Assistance;
• Pennsylvania Extended Benefits;
• Shared work or Short-time Compensation;
• or Trade Readjustment Allowances

Applicants should apply online at www.us.pa.gov/cert and log in as they normally would file a claim. From there, select “Complete LWA Certification” and fill out the form. For those eligible, payments will come in a lump sum. For those who have already applied, they’ll receive retroactive payments once their claim is approved, according to the department.