Nebraska Lost Wages Assistance Application Approved

Release Date: 9/11/2020

September 11, 2020

LINCOLN – The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has approved Nebraska’s application for the Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) Program. The program provides eligible unemployment recipients an additional $300 in weekly payments for a limited number of weeks beginning with the week ending August 1. Benefits are subject to availability of FEMA funding, and FEMA estimates that at most, six weeks of benefits will be paid. 

Nebraska’s funding is anticipated to be available in approximately 10 days. When funding is available, the Nebraska Department of Labor (NDOL) will issue a notification in NEworks.nebraska.gov to individuals who need to complete a certification of eligibility for these benefits. 

“It is important that individuals complete the LWA certification as soon as notification is issued since this program is retroactive and limited funds are available to states,” said Commissioner of Labor John H. Albin. “Additionally, certification for Lost Wages Assistance does not replace the weekly certifications that are required to receive both state and federal unemployment benefits.”

Individuals who are unemployed for reasons unrelated to the pandemic are not eligible for the program, under the terms of the memorandum the President issued on Aug. 8. The LWA program also excludes those receiving less than $100 in weekly unemployment benefits, before taxes.

NDOL reminds claimants to check their NEworks messages regularly to receive important updates about their claim. 

More NDOL news releases are online at dol.nebraska.gov.