Kentucky to Send $400 Checks to Unemployed Workers Left Out of Relief

Kentucky has authorized $400 checks for thousands of unemployed workers in the state who were unable to receive certain unemployment benefits, and some who have had benefits delayed will get up to $1,000 in one-time payments, CNBC reports.

“Federal requirements for programs administered by the Office of Unemployment Insurance have prevented Kentucky from making payments to some qualifying individuals, through no fault of those applicants,” reads the executive order signed by Gov. Andy Beshear, a Republican, on Tuesday.

“While increased Unemployment Insurance and other programs have provided vital assistance to many, federal restrictions in these programs and inconsistent federal guidance have slowed or prevented payments to some Kentuckians,” the governor wrote.

“This Executive Order provides essential assistance to those Kentuckians who need help but who have not received adequate assistance under these federal programs.”

The order authorizes about $48 million for workers who have missed out on state and federal unemployment benefits. This includes one-time payments of $400 to about 60,000 people who were unable to receive a Lost Wages Assistance subsidy because of their low income, according to Beshear. The supplement raised unemployment benefits by about $300 or $400 per week for six weeks, but workers that were given less than $100 per week in unemployment benefits were disqualified.

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