Department of Labor & Industry Secretary Jerry Oleksiak reminded eligible Pennsylvanians to apply as soon as possible for up to six weeks of assistance through the federal Lost Wages Assistance Program, which provides up to $300 a week extra in additional funds to individuals that are unemployed (or partially unemployed) because of COVID-19.

“We encourage eligible claimants who are partially or fully unemployed due to COVID-19 who have not yet applied for LWA benefits to do so right away,” said Secretary Oleksiak. “The department will continue making these payments until the program funding we’ve already received from the Federal Emergency Management Agency is depleted.”

FEMA announced last week that its funding had been depleted and it would be unable to provide additional funding to states to continue the program beyond the week ending Sept. 5. L&I has received approximately $2.8 billion from FEMA for the six weeks of the program. Because FEMA will not be providing any more funding, L&I will be unable to approve claims after this funding is depleted, even if more applicants are qualified.

FEMA initially approved three claim weeks ending on Aug. 1, 8 and 15.

Three additional weeks have also been approved: Aug. 22, Aug. 29 and Sept. 5.

LWA payments will be paid in one lump sum to eligible claimants as long as the underlying benefit payment has already been made for those weeks. Payment for claims began Sept. 14 and will continue until funding is depleted or until FEMA announces an end date to the program.

Individuals who may be eligible for LWA but have not yet received payment for an approved week from a qualifying program should still apply as soon as possible. At the time benefits are paid from a qualifying program to an individual for any of the approved dates, the LWA payment will follow one week later if the individual has already completed the LWA certification.

Applicants with computer and internet access should apply for the LWA benefits online.

Applications are also available for individuals who cannot apply online. Last week, UC began mailing applications to claimants who did not provide their email address.