(BOSTON – 10/26/2020) The Massachusetts State Senate and House of Representatives passed An Act relative to additional unemployment benefits for the neediest recipients currently excluded from the Lost Wages Assistance program today, filed less than two weeks ago by Sens. Jehlen and Lesser. The bill would enhance unemployment benefits for 17,000 people in Massachusetts by as much as $1800 each. Thousands of people were left out of the Lost Wages Assistance Grant to extend $300 weekly payment boosts to people collecting unemployment benefits by a restrictive Trump Administration rule.
“This legislation will make the necessary changes to make sure people with less than $100 in weekly benefits receive that $1800 in added income,” said Senator Patricia Jehlen (D-Somerville). “Just last week I heard from a neighbor and constituent who was short $2 in his weekly benefit to receive the $1800 in Lost Wages Assistance. The state investment in raising the minimum benefit will bring $31million to Massachusetts residents for rent, for food and other expenses.”
“The Senate is laser focused on assisting those most in need, especially as we continue to tackle the dueling challenges posed by the global pandemic and economic crisis,” stated Senate President Karen E. Spilka (D-Ashland). “This legislation speaks to that commitment and will help assist residents in obtaining lost wages as a result of the ongoing public health emergency. I would like to thank Senators Pat Jehlen, Eric Lesser and Michael Rodrigues, as well as Speaker Robert DeLeo and his colleagues for working to quickly usher this bill to the governor’s desk.”
“This boost to unemployment compensation for those affected by the Trump Administration rule is a critical measure to alleviate unnecessary hardship for 17,000 of the most vulnerable people across the Commonwealth,” said Senator Eric Lesser (D-Longmeadow). “I am proud of this bill’s swift passage and hope that Governor Baker quickly signs off to give people the ability to purchase food, pay their rent, and stay warm as we head into colder weather.”
The bill first went through the Committee on Labor and Workforce Development before making it to the Senate floor for a vote. Senator John Velis (D-Westfield) sits on this committee and stressed the importance of meeting the needs of those who are struggling.
“This bill will have a tangible impact on those who are really hurting from the effects of this pandemic,” said Senator Velis. “Many people have been unable to get these additional federal funds from the LWA program, and this legislation will fix that issue and ensure that those in our community are getting the benefits that they need. I’m grateful to my colleagues in the legislature who have led on this. “
In August, the Federal Emergency Management Agency began accepting applications for the Lost Wages Assistance program. The Trump White House included a restriction that banned people receiving less than $100 a week in benefits from receiving the LWA boost of $300 a week.
Massachusetts was approved for 6 weeks of LWA compensation for every eligible recipient, covering the weeks ending August 1 to September 5. Numerous states acted to increase weekly benefit amounts, including neighboring RI and NH, so that no recipient of unemployment would be left out of receiving the boost. Over 100 legislators wrote on September 24 to Secretary Rosalin Acosta to ask the state to implement a similar increase in weekly benefit amounts for Massachusetts recipients.
In discussions with the legislature, the Baker-Polito administration has indicated that with a small investment of state dollars to increase base benefits retroactively, up to $31M could be returned to the state from the FEMA program. The Department of Unemployment Assistance has been negotiating with FEMA since the legislators issued their request. In an answer legislators received, FEMA advised: “It is possible to make an individual an eligible claimant for LWA from the week ending August 1, 2020, if they are monetarily eligible for at least a $100 weekly benefit amount…”
The legislation will authorize the Baker-Polito Administration to implement an increase to unemployment compensation for every recipient in Massachusetts not receiving at least $100 in weekly benefits. This enhancement would be applied retroactively to roughly 17,000 recipients.
Update 10/28/2020 – Governor Baker has signed this bill into law.