Kentucky has received the green light to move ahead with a $400 supplement to unemployment payments -- though questions remain about how long the program will last.
Using money freed up by a Trump executive order, Kentucky is set to add $400 on top of current unemployment benefits for those out of work because of the pandemic. $300 will come from FEMA funds and the state will pay the remaining $100 using some of its CARES Act money.
It's a plan Gov. Andy Beshear had initially described as unworkable for states, but has since agreed to under revised terms.
"While there are still some uncertainties in this new program, it is just too important to get these dollars to our families," the Democrat said.
Although the benefits will pick up where a $600 federal supplement left off in late July, another round of required computer system upgrades will push the new payments to at least early September.
WDRB-TV reports the agreement will mean roughly 80,000 laid-off workers will receive the extra $400 for at least three weeks.
