The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) today announced it has approved an additional $70.3 million grant to Hawai‘i to provide those unemployed due to COVID-19 with an additional $300 per week on top of their regular unemployment benefit.  This funding is in addition to nearly $200 million in federal funding announced in August,  and another $53.4 million grant announced last week.

U.S. Senator Brian Schatz, a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, said  “While this new funding will provide some immediate help, it’s not enough for Hawai‘i families who are struggling to make ends meet. We’ll continue working to secure more federal funding to help Hawai‘i get through this tough time.”

The Lost Wages Assistance (LWA) Program is funded by FEMA’s Disaster Relief Fund, which received $45 billion from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act.